June 20, 2018
Grievance Process for Postdoctoral Scholars
Grievance Process for Postdoctoral Scholars Postdoctoral appointees should be made aware of the options that are available to resolve problems that might arise between the appointee and the mentor during the period of their appointment. Although the types of remediation available to employee and stipend-funded postdocs differ in some respects, the first course of action should be to attempt to resolve the conflict locally via discussions with: 1. mentor, 2. department chair, and 3. the divisional dean. If these efforts fail, the next step would be to contact the Director of Postdoctoral Education.
June 20, 2018
International Postdoctoral Scholar Policies
International Postdoctoral Scholar Policies Whether in the classroom or in the research laboratory, international scholars play a critical role by contributing special skills and unique perspectives to the university’s teaching, research, and outreach mission. Mizzou hosts more than 900 of the estimated 134,000 international scholars engaged in teaching and research at U.S. institutions annually. The university also enrolls over 1,000 international graduate students annually; many continue their professional development through postdoctoral fellowships at Mizzou. Due to the challenges posed by increasingly restrictive and complex immigration regulations and security measures after Sept. 11, 2001, it is important to highlight several issues…
June 20, 2018
Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits & Funding
Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits & Funding Most postdoctoral scholars are considered full-time academic appointments. Those who are paid salaries from Mizzou funds, including grants and contracts, are benefit-eligible employees who can participate in health, dental, vision, life, and retirement benefits. Service credit under the UM retirement program requires a minimum of 1500 hours worked per year. In addition, as of July 1, 2025, those holding 12-month appointments are eligible for staff paid leave plans, including paid time off; parental leave; caregiver leave; winter break leave; and short-term disability. These benefits are detailed on the Faculty and Staff Benefits website.
April 26, 2018
Student Responsibility to Know Academic Regulations
It is each graduate student’s responsibility to know and observe all regulations and procedures relating to the program the student is pursuing. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception be granted because students plead ignorance of, or contend that they were not informed of, the regulations and procedures. Responsibility for following all policies and meeting all requirements and deadlines for graduate programs rests with the student.
March 30, 2018
Conflict of Interest and Student Interaction with Industry
Conflict of Interest All graduate students who hold an assistantship or are student employees are required to self disclose any outside employment or business activities and interests that could interfere with their regular duties or represent a conflict of interest (University of Missouri Collected Rules and Regulations, Section 330.015.D). To disclose, go to ecompliance.missouri.edu and complete a Conflict of Interest Form. Student Interaction with Industry The University of Missouri encourages students to seek experiences in the private or public sector that enhance and complement their academic program and demonstrate its relevance. However, the University of Missouri is responsible for…
March 7, 2018
Academic and Departmental Probation, Termination, and Appeals
Probation Departmental or program probation may occur at any time during a student’s work toward a graduate degree. All graduate departments/programs are required to formulate their own academic standing policies, establishing a tailored framework aligned with the unique characteristics of their respective graduate programs, while adhering to the fundamental principles outlined by the Graduate School. These guidelines should be made available to students from their entrance into the graduate degree program. If a student is authorized to diverge from progress guidelines established by either the department/program or the Graduate School, this must be documented in written form and endorsed by…
March 7, 2018
Grading & Credit
Grading Policy Graduate students’ grades in all courses counting toward an advanced degree may be reported as: A +/-, B +/-, and C +/-. Faculty members are not required to use a plus/minus grading scale; that decision should be based on the faculty member’s evaluation of student performance and/or polices of their academic program. Grade point averages are calculated as: Grade GPA A+ 4.0 A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 The Graduate School considers grades of C+, C and C- as passing grades; however, grades in the C range may not be…
March 7, 2018
Extensions
A request for an extension is distinct from an appeal process: a request for extension is the appropriate course of action when a student has failed to meet the time frames associated with degree programs. Request for Extension A request for extension is the appropriate course of action when a student has failed to meet satisfactory progress provisions of the Graduate School or is taking academic leave upon the birth or placement of a child. When there has been unsatisfactory progress with respect to meeting Graduate Faculty Senate’s time to degree limits, the student may file a written…
March 6, 2018
Choosing an Advisor
Doctoral A doctoral student is assigned an advisor upon admission. However, this may or may not be the individual who advises the student’s dissertation project. In that case, the student selects an advisor or co-advisors by mutual consent from doctoral faculty members who are dissertation supervisors in the department or area program in which the major work is planned. Doctoral advisors must be members of the doctoral faculty. To determine whether a faculty member has doctoral faculty status, refer to the list of faculty in each academic program in the University catalog. Students can change advisors during their doctoral…
March 6, 2018
Intimate Relations with Graduate Students
Consensual romantic relationships between members of the University community are prohibited when one participant has evaluative or supervisory authority over the other. Such prohibited relationships include supervisory relationships between an employee (faculty, staff or student) and a student, as well as between a supervisor (faculty, staff or student) and a subordinate. Implicit in the idea of professionalism is the recognition by those in positions of authority that in their relationships with students there is always an element of power. It is incumbent upon members of the profession not to abuse, nor seem to abuse the power with which they are…