Policy about changes to a student's approved POS

Aug 2009

Put forth by: Saurabh Bagchi

The graduate committee chair Oleg Wasynczuk has asked me to poll the area for its policy on the following matter. If a graduate student petitions the graduate committee for a change to his/her approved POS, then what should the area do. The option on the table is the area defers to the student's advisor to decide on the petition. It is expected that the advisor will consult with the student's academic advisory committee in coming to the decision.

This vote is to see if the CE area approves of this option or not. If you disapprove, then please suggest your preferred policy.

Clarifications

1. The changes are changes in courses, as opposed to other changes such as change in degree status.

Result: 10 YES, 1 NO

Comments:

Rudi Eigenmann

isnt' that what's common practice already? The student would normally go to the advisor. So, I'm not sure why the student would petition the grad committee. Disagreement with the advisor?

Bob Givan

If the advisory committee is to consulted, we should require their sign-off; otherwise, they generally will not be consulted. I prefer that they indeed be consulted, by sign-off.

Jeff Siskind

Let me elaborate on my consent vote. If the new POS meets the departmental degree requirements then I see no reason why it should need any approval at all. Approval should only be required in cases where a special request is made to deviate from the standard requirements. The check whether the POS meets the degree requirements can be made by computer or by someone in the grad office. If the area decides that we need the advisor's approval then I think that as an area we should agree that the default is to approve all POS that satisfy the departmental degree requirements unless the advisor has good reasons to make special stipulations and that this would be rare.