The Rights and Responsibilities of Graduate Students
The graduate student is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the program of study is consistent with the approved program as defined in the letter of acceptance and in the respective section in the Graduate Calendar. The student is expected to read the Graduate Calendar and any other relevant documents, including the FGSR web page in order to become familiar with all regulations and deadlines relating to their programs. The fundamental responsibilities of students include:
- Registration is accurate and does not lapse.
- Submission of appropriate forms to the department for signature and processing.
- Paying all fees required by the deadline dates set out in the Graduate Calendar.
- Students are also ultimately responsible for the ethical and academic process and outcome of their research.
Rights and Responsibilities
The Graduate Students' Association has developed the following proposal to provide an outline of the rights and responsibilities of graduate students to the University of Regina. This proposal is not intended to legislate the relationship between students and faculty but rather to outline and clarify some basic principles which will foster a positive experience for all individuals.
The Graduate Students' Association recognizes that graduate studies are a commitment not to be undertaken lightly by students. It is a crucial step in becoming a professional in one's field, and to that end, graduate students should strive to achieve academic excellence. The graduate student's educational environment should foster academic excellence and provide a good model for graduates to use in the future.
Most graduate students have an enriching experience during their studies at the University of Regina and leave this institution with a positive view of their research, advisor, committee, and department. This view is invaluable in the promotion of graduate studies and the reputation of the University of Regina. Upon graduation, graduate students will become representatives of their graduate program and of the University of Regina.
Program Requirements
The primary responsibility of graduate students is the timely and satisfactory completion of their program requirements including research, practica, and/or course work. It is the responsibility of graduate students to familiarize themselves with their program requirements as described in the Calendar and Handbook of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. In addition, each graduate student is responsible for participating in the development of a detailed study program, in writing, within the graduate student's first academic term.
Graduate students have the right to have academic expectations outlined within their first academic term. Graduate students have the right to receive assistance with the development of their study program, as well as approval of the program, within their first academic term. Graduate students have the right to expect that their study program will not be changed without their consultation.
Supervision
The graduate student is responsible for maintaining contact with advisors and committee members in order to keep them updated on the progress of the student's program. The graduate student is responsible for meeting deadlines and providing academic products of suitable quality for evaluation.
Graduate students have the right to regular contact with advisors or committee members throughout their program. Graduate students' have the right to an alternate advisor during an extended absence of the primary supervisor. In order to facilitate the timely completion of program requirements, graduate students have the right to timely feedback (within approximately one month) on all academic products presented for evaluation.
Research Issues
The graduate student should clarify such research issues as ownership of data, authorship of publications and joint research agreements, in writing, with their advisors and committee members.
A document clarifying such research issues should be reviewed by a third party, such as but not limited to, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, before a student signs it. Graduate students are responsible for following the guidelines outlined by the University of Regina Policy Statement on Scholarly Misconduct and the Intellectual Property Document.
Graduate students have the right to expect that agreements regarding data ownership, authorship and research agreements will be adhered to. Graduate students have the right to expect that the guidelines of the Policy Statement on Academic Misconduct and the Intellectual Property Document will be adhered to. Graduate students have the rights provided by copyright protection of their thesis and related research contributions.
Academic Services
The graduate student, employed as a Teaching Assistant, is responsible for providing the academic services outlined by the collective agreement between the University of Regina and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2419. The graduate student is responsible for being informed of the details of the collective agreement, as well as, employment opportunities for graduate students. Graduate students are responsible for adhering to the terms of financial agreements they have entered into.
Graduate students have the right to receive a description of the academic services they are expected to provide and to refuse requests to perform any other duties. Graduate students have the right to fair consideration in employment competitions. Graduate students have the right to expect that financial agreements will be adhered to.
Problematic Advisory Relationships
The graduate student is responsible for interacting with advisors and committee members in a professional manner. Graduate students are responsible for doing their part in maintaining positive working relationships. Graduate students are responsible for respecting requests for confidentiality and privacy.
Graduate students have the right to expect a professional relationship with their advisors and committee members. Graduate students have the right to expect a reasonable degree of confidentiality and privacy. Graduate students have the right to request a separation from advisors with whom irreconcilable differences have arisen and an expectation that honest efforts will be made for the successful integration with a new advisor. Graduate students have the right to assistance from their advisors, committee members, department and the Faculty of Graduate Studies in ensuring a successful student-advisor relationship.