Timelines, Grievances

It is the student's responsibility to meet associated timelines for university, college, departmental, and individual course requirements. Information about all of these requirements should be obtained through a careful review of the Miami University Graduate catalog, academic year calendars, course syllabi and website. If such information is not found, the student should begin their search for clarity or additional information by contacting, in order, the professor, instructor, or other professional in question, their advisor, the program director, and/or the chair of the department.

Students must be aware of strictly enforced timelines associated with graduation: application (through the Commencement office) and payment of fees (Bursar's office).

In addition, students must be aware of current requirements for class registration, applications for graduate assistantships or domestic/international grant-in-aid, and applications for certification and Praxis exam (#5403).

The Departmental appeals procedure indicates that the route of appeals of any nature begins with the instructor in those cases where a student has a complaint relative to a specific course. So, if there are any concerns about the conduct or teaching practices of a given professor, it is best practice and recommended policy that the student or students in question approach the instructor first.

If the student(s) could not satisfactorily reach a resolution with the instructor, then they should turn to the program director and/or that individual’s immediate supervisor or advisor.

In case of the need for a committee decision the route of appeals begins with the particular committee.

Subsequent, sequential steps in the appeal process are as follows:

• Department Chair
• the Coordination and Referral Committee
• the department faculty (in total)
• the Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Society

There is a grievance procedure outlined in A Handbook for Graduate Students and Faculty that is available in the Graduate School office and/or website.

In all problematic situations, it is encouraged that any grievances or concerns be resolved on an informal basis, if possible, before moving to formal mediation, due process, or committee procedures.