Dispute Resolution
Rackham Graduate School offers formal and informal dispute resolution services, provides resources and referrals, and can offer alternative resolutions in consultation with other offices as appropriate. Students can expect confidentiality in a safe environment.
The Graduate School has a Resolution Officer to give advice and provide informal mediation for any current or former student in a Rackham graduate program who has a complaint or dispute related to academic matters. Contact the Resolution Officer for information about academic dispute resolution.
Visit the University’s Office of the Ombuds for additional resources to help in the resolution of disputes.
Rackham Academic Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedures
Rackham’s Academic Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedures are available to Rackham students who have a dispute or disagreement with faculty or staff about the equity and fairness of decisions or procedures that affect their academic standing and progress toward the degree.
Continuous Enrollment Dispute Resolution Process
Rackham’s Continuous Enrollment Dispute Resolution process is available to Rackham Ph.D. students who have a dispute or disagreement with faculty or staff in their graduate program about the equity and fairness of decisions related to the continuous enrollment policy.
Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities
The University has established a Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities that sets forth the values of the University community, describes the types of behaviors which violate those values, and establishes a process for resolving allegations of misconduct. In addition, the various schools and colleges have their own standards of academic and non-academic conduct. These are called Honor Codes, Policies on Academic Dishonesty, or Grievance Procedures. Regardless of their titles, these policies are published in each school or college’s Bulletin.
The procedures for settling grievances and the kinds of grievances allowed varies from school to school. If you have a complaint, be sure to check with your school or college’s Dean’s Office or Student Services Office to see what procedures you should follow to file your grievance as soon as possible in case there is a time limitation on the process.
The Ombuds Office
The Ombuds Office is available to help students understand University policies and to guide students through established procedures for resolving problems. If you are having a problem or conflict with a person or unit of the University, contact the Office of the Dean of Students (764-7420), located at 3000 Michigan Union, the Ombuds Office (763-3545) or the Vice President for Student Affairs (764-5132). The Ombuds and Vice President of Student Affairs Offices are located at 6015 Fleming. All conversations with the Ombuds are confidential.
You can also access the Dean of Students and the University Ombuds through e-mail by sending a message to assist-me@umich.edu. Requests for assistance will be handled by the Ombuds professional staff who can assess, advise, advocate, or take action to help a student resolve a problem immediately. If another unit or staff member needs to be involved, the Ombuds will work with the student to coordinate actions to resolve the problem. Each situation is assessed for financial, personal, and academic implications as a plan for resolving a problem is developed.
The Ombuds Office suggests that students use the following guidelines to prevent problems from occurring or to make problems easier to resolve, should they arise:
- Carefully read your school Bulletin, Course Guide, Time Schedule, receipts from Wolverine Access, and all other information you receive from the University regarding registration, financial aid, housing, student loans, athletic tickets, etc. You are responsible for knowing University policies and deadlines. Ignorance is not an acceptable reason for missing a deadline, since the University makes a conscientious effort to inform the campus community of its deadlines and procedures.
- Keep copies of all papers you receive (e.g., letters, records, syllabi, statements of account, checks, receipts, advising worksheets) as well as those you submit (e.g., term papers, letters, applications, checks). Keep the envelopes as well, in the event it is necessary to use postmarks to verify dates of receipt.
- Require written documentation of decisions made, policies, procedures, requirements, recommendations, grading criteria, etc.
- Always ask for a person’s name when requesting information, and write it down, along with the date and time of the conversation.
- If you are unsure of something or think a problem may develop, ask for clarification immediately. Do not wait weeks or months to check into it.
- If you think the University made an error in your favor—including one involving money—check it out quickly and thoroughly with the office concerned. It may take the University months to discover the mistake and correct the error on your record or your student account. If you received too much financial aid, you are responsible for re-paying the University.
- Though it pays to be assertive when pursuing a problem, it rarely pays to get angry. If you are dissatisfied with a person’s response, calmly ask to speak with his or her supervisor.
- Remember that e-mail is a form of written correspondence. Don’t send anything via e-mail that you don’t want repeated or wouldn’t say to someone "on the record."
- Before you sign anything, read all the fine print and be sure you can fulfill the terms of the agreement. This includes University Housing contracts.
- Watch for updated information regarding changes in University deadlines, policies, and procedures. The Michigan Daily, the Campus Information Centers, other University media, and relevant individual units are good sources of current information.
- Be sure all University offices have your correct address and student ID number. Changing your address on Wolverine Access or at the Registrar’s Student Service Site will affect your address only at the Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Operations, and the Financial Aid Office. You must notify all other offices independently, including Student Loans, Staff Records, departmental offices, and the online directory.
- When you want to be certain that correspondence arrives at a University office, consider using certified mail, registered mail, or hand delivery. Ask for a dated, signed receipt.
- When checking your status with a University office, ask to have your particular file checked. This can help to catch problems that might otherwise go undetected if you ask a general question about a procedure or administrative process.
- To expedite follow-up of correspondence with University offices, include your full name, any previous names that your records may be filed under, student ID number, current local and permanent addresses, and telephone numbers where you may be reached during business hours.