Click to download the E&E Grad Student Grievance Procedures [pdf].
To provide students in the Department of Earth & Environment an avenue for formally raising concerns, the Department offers the following avenues to further equity, parity, and security in all graduate programs and among students. They are among several processes already established by BU. If another process exists to address the issue in question, that process takes precedence, including matters relating to Title IX, the Academic and Professional Conduct Code, and mandatory reporting, among others. Also, students may consider consulting the Associate Dean for Student Academic Life, Office of the Ombuds, Dean of Students, deans’ offices, or other BU resources.
Students have the option to bypass these procedures to pursue a complaint a higher level depending on the nature of the grievance: Grievance and Complaint Procedures.
When possible and appropriate, students are encouraged to resolve a difficulty through discussion with the other party/parties involved. The student may consult with the Department Chair, Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), or other faculty for advice on pursuing or conducting a conversation with the party/parties involved, and/or to facilitate discussion. Discussions and attempts at discussions are not prerequisites to these procedures. Students have the option to file a grievance with or without a request for departmental action.
WITH DEPARTMENTAL ACTION
To file a grievance with a request for departmental action, the student sends a written complaint to the Department Chair (or DGS if the Chair is an involved party). The complaint should include a clear statement of the grievance, supporting evidence, indication of any efforts to address the problem, and a proposed resolution.
The Chair (or DGS) forwards a copy of the grievance to the respondent (subject of the complaint) and refers the matter to a committee within two weeks. The committee is formed by the Chair (or DGS) and includes the DGS (unless they are an involved party), at least two other faculty, and at least one E&E graduate student. (Faculty may be drawn from other departments if appropriate.) The number of voting members on the committee should be an odd number.
As soon as possible and in no more than three weeks, the committee hears the student and respondent, considers relevant evidence, confers with others concerned, if need be, and prepares a report of findings. The report includes a summary of the process as well as a determination or recommendation made by majority vote. (Student committee members do not vote if the grievance is related to academic records.) Within thirty (30) days of the grievance filing, the Chair issues a formal written decision to the student and respondent. A student may appeal through the Office of the Dean.
WITHOUT DEPARTMENTAL ACTION
Students may wish to file a grievance without requesting the departmental process outlined above. In such a case, students may lodge a complaint confidentially with the Chair or DGS either in writing or in person. In such conversations, the student and faculty may determine subsequent steps to be taken.
Regardless of whether the grievance includes a request for action, BU’s FERPA Policy and mandatory reporting requirements apply. All matters should be handled with sensitivity and appropriate privacy.
Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator with question.
Adopted October 2019; revised September 2021.