If a student feels unfairly treated or aggrieved by faculty, staff, or another student, they should consider the following steps:
1. If the student determines that it is not possible to bring the concern to the person responsible for the objectionable action without aggravating the situation but they do not wish to file a formal complaint at the department level, they should contact either the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) to set up a meeting to discuss the complaint and concrete steps to take to address it; this includes the possibility of filing a formal complaint (or escalating the complaint, if the first contact is the GPC, to the DGS).
Note: if the DGS is the person responsible for the objectionable action, the student should contact the Chair of the Department.
2. If the student wishes to file an official complaint, after consulting either the DGS or Chair, they should send the following information to the GPC either in email or hardcopy:
– A detailed written statement on the events that resulted in the grievance and any efforts to resolve the matter prior to the official complaint;
– Copies of any relevant communications regarding the events that resulted in the grievance (and any subsequent related grievances).
– Upon receipt of all the above materials:
o The GPC will forward the formal grievance to the DGS (if the complaint is about the DGS, the GPC will forward the complaint to the Chair).
o The GPC will notify the student of receipt of the materials within 5 business days of receiving materials in writing, acknowledging receipt of the formal complaint and giving the student a likely timeline for the review to be completed.
o If necessary, the DGS (or Chair) will request additional materials relevant to the issues raised in the student’s grievance.
o The DGS (or Chair) will request and conduct formal interviews with the people named in the written statement.
o If necessary, the DGS (or Chair) will arrange a meeting with the student, their advisor and/or the Department Chair. The student may request to have an advocate present at this meeting.
o After the interviews and meeting, the DGS (or Chair) will inform the student in writing of the decision within 30 business days of the submission of the grievance by the student.
o If a student believes that their grievance was not appropriately handled or resolved at the department level, they may file an appeal with the Graduate School: https://grad.wisc.edu/acadpolicy/
o The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the student receiving the decision from the department.
Additional resources for assistance outside the department can be found here: https://guide.wisc.edu/graduate/classical-ancient-near-eastern-studies/classical-ancient-near-eastern-studies-phd/classical-ancient-near-eastern-studies-classics-phd/#policiestext