How to Help Students Who are Struggling Graduate Advisor Brown Bag September 20, 2016 How to Help Students Who are Struggling

The struggle The nature of the struggle: Insights from ombuds data Person most likely to have concern about Major Professor Department Head Other faculty (course instructor) Most commonly held concerns Unfair treatment or evaluation Probation, suspension, dismissal Workload Authorship/Intellectual Property

The struggle Ombuds Reporting Categories (IOA) Evaluative Relationships Career & Professional Development Compensation & Benefits Service/Admin Issues Values/Ethics

How to Help Strategies Preventative tools Listen Identify most pressing problem Discuss options and help identify pathway forward Preventative tools Mentoring compact Individual Development Plan

Resources Ombuds Officer Dean of Student Life assists with Confidential, Informal, Independent, Neutral Role of ombuds Dean of Student Life assists with Harassment and discrimination Sexual harassment and assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking

Resources Dean of Student Life offers support services Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Center New Student & Family Programs Off-Campus Student Services Student Legal Services Women’s Resource Center

Resources Counseling Services Career and Personal Counseling Crisis Intervention Learning Disability and ADHD Screening Stress Management & Biofeedback Services

Case studies

Graduate Academic Appeals Panel (Rule 59) Appealing decisions Graduate Academic Appeals Panel (Rule 59) Final grades & unauthorized absence Evaluation of performance on examinations Probation, suspension, dismissal, termination Resolution Procedures Preliminary Resolution Procedures Formal Resolution Procedures

Separation, Dismissal or Termination from the Program When a department/program or advisory committee wishes to recommend separation from the department/program only and allow the student the opportunity to find another department/program that is willing to admit her/him: A letter from the department/ program or advisory committee should provide the reason(s) for separation and the recommended separation action along with proper justification and supporting documentation of scholastic deficiency. The department head approves this recommendation in most cases.

Separation, Dismissal or Termination from the Program OGAPS should be copied on the letter and provided a copy for the student record. It is recommended that dismissal letters be sent to the student via certified mail and email. The department should place a block from registration on the student’s account. If the student is registered for classes in a future term, the department should un-enroll the student for the future term.

Separation, Dismissal or Termination from the University When a department/program or advisory committee wishes to recommend separation from the university: A letter from the department/ program or advisory committee through the dean of the college and associate provost for graduate studies should provide the reason(s) for separation and the recommended separation action along with proper justification and supporting documentation of scholastic deficiency. The separation action could entail suspension (separation from the university for a definite period of time), dismissal (separation from the university for an indefinite period of time), or termination (permanent separation from the university).

Separation, Dismissal or Termination from the University If OGAPS approves the recommendation, a letter will be sent from OGAPS and the department/college will be copied. The dismissal letter will be sent to the student via certified mail and email. OGAPS will place a block from registration on the student’s account. If the student is registered for classes in a future term, the department should un-enroll the student for the future term.

Questions? For questions about dismissal procedures please contact: The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies ogaps@tamu.edu or 979.845.3631 Rachel Krolczyk rkrolczyk@tamu.edu