Dear Faculty Relations:听A faculty member reported a student in violation of the听Honor Code听and shared emails and a zoom recording as part of the supporting documents. I was dismayed to learn the TA screamed at the student and described the student as a sociopath to another colleague. Does the PRD apply to graduate students too? 鈥� TA Supervisor
Dear Supervisor:听Concerns about student academic integrity misconduct should be reported to听Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution.
However, your concern about the TA鈥檚 behavior towards the student should also be addressed. If this were a faculty member, one would follow the听PRD听procedures, including talking with the faculty to hear their perspective. However TAs are graduate students with teaching appointments and therefore first and foremost students.
In general, an instance where a TA or GPTI may have engaged in misconduct should be reported to the Graduate Director, Department Chair, and Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution. Such behavior may raise concerns under the Student Code of Conduct, in addition to expectations in a department graduate student handbook. Also, the Grad School has a听Graduate Student Bill of Rights, that in many ways relevant to this situation, acts like a PRD both for grad students and departments. They are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting an academic colleague demonstrating professionalism similar to their faculty colleagues.
Graduate student advisors should take the opportunity to help educate graduate students about standards for professionalism in and out of the classroom. Although there are times when the severity and/or pervasiveness of the conduct may require disciplinary action for either a faculty member or graduate student, as Chair, you might respond informally. Importantly, this is an educational opportunity to learn from mistakes. For example, if someone mistakenly thought they were doing the 鈥渞ight thing,鈥� which turned out not to be, one step toward professionalism would be to ensure they increase their knowledge and self-awareness. To remedy the effects of the misconduct can include educational measures such as getting training on university policies or participating in restorative justice or a remedial action such as a voluntary apology. If you would like additional guidance,听request a consultation.
Written by Suzanne Soled, PhD, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Support; Director of Faculty Relations, Office of Faculty Affairs, 彩民宝典, April听2021