Integrative Biology Graduate Program Handbook-Grievance Procedures & Reporting Misconduct and Crime

Grievance Procedures & Reporting Misconduct and Crime

• Grievance Procedures & Reporting Misconduct and Crime
  • Grievance Procedures
  • Reporting Misconduct and Crime
  • Academic Misconduct Reporting 
  • Sexual Assault Reporting 
  • Child Abuse Reporting 
  • Reporting and Response to Incidents of Bias/Hate 

Grievance Procedures

Reporting Misconduct and Crime

If a student in the Integrative Biology Graduate Program feels unfairly treated or aggrieved by faculty, staff, or another student, the department follows the grievance procedures outlined by the Graduate School https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/grievances-and-appeals/ under Grievances and Appeals. The University offers several avenues to resolve a grievance. Students’ concerns about unfair treatment are best handled directly with the person responsible for the objectionable action. If the student is uncomfortable making direct contact with the individual(s) involved, they should contact the advisor or the person in charge of the unit where the action occurred (program or department chair, section chair, lab manager, etc.). Students can also discuss concerns related to mentor-mentee relations, degree progress, or programmatic requirements to the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Program Manager or utilize the programs grievance procedure. For more information see the Graduate School Academic Policies & Procedures: Grievances & Appeals: https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/grievances-and-appeals.

Procedures for proper accounting of student grievances:

1. The student is encouraged to speak first with the person toward whom the grievance is directed to see if a situation can be resolved at this level.
2. Should a satisfactory resolution not be achieved, the student should contact the program’s Director of Graduate Studies or the Chair of the Department to discuss the grievance. The Director of Graduate Studies or Chair will facilitate problem resolution through informal channels and facilitate any complaints or issues of students. The first attempt is to help students informally address the grievance prior to any formal complaint. Students are also encouraged to talk with their faculty advisors regarding concerns or difficulties if necessary. University resources for sexual harassment, discrimination, disability accommodations, and other related concerns can be found at these websites below.
3. Other campus resources include
   1. The Graduate School - https://grad.wisc.edu/
   2. McBurney Disability Resource Center - mcburney.wisc.edu
   3. Employee Disabilities Resources- https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/
   4. Employee Assistance Office - https://hr.wisc.edu/employee-assistance-office/
   5. Ombuds Office - https://ombuds.wisc.edu/
   6. University Health Services – https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/
   7. UW Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement - https://diversity.wisc.edu/about/
4. If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction the student can submit the grievance to the Director of Graduate Studies and Chair of the Department in writing, within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
5. On receipt of a written complaint, a faculty committee will be convened by the Director of Graduate Studies to manage the grievance. The Graduate Program Executive Committee will obtain a written response from the person toward whom the complaint is directed. This response will be shared with the person filing the grievance.
6. The Graduate Program Executive Committee will determine a decision regarding the grievance. The Director of Graduate Studies will report on the action taken by the committee in writing to both the student and the party toward whom the complaint was directed within 15 working days from the date the complaint was received.
7. At this point, if either party (the student or the person toward whom the grievance is directed) is unsatisfied with the decision of the Graduate Program Executive 21 Committee, the party may file a written appeal. Either party has 10 working days to file a written appeal to the School/College.
8. Documentation of the grievance will be stored for at least 7 years. Significant grievances that set a precedent will be stored indefinitely.

The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision made at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures: https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/grievances-and-appeals/.

Academic Misconduct Reporting 

The campus has established policies governing student conduct, academic dishonesty, discrimination, and harassment/abuse as well as specific reporting requirements in certain cases. If you have a grievance regarding unfair treatment towards yourself, please reference the procedures and resources identified above. If you learn about, observe, or witness misconduct or other wrongdoing you may be required to report that misconduct or abuse. Depending on the situation, it may be appropriate to consult with your advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Program Manager, the Chair of the Department or other campus resources (such as the UW Office of Equity and Diversity, Graduate School, McBurney Disability Resource Center, Employee Assistance Office, Ombuds Office, and University Health Services).

The University of Wisconsin-Madison strives to foster the highest scholarly and ethical standards among its students, faculty, and staff. Graduate students and research associates are among the most vulnerable groups when reporting misconduct because their source of financial support and the progress in their careers may be at risk by raising questions of wrongdoing. They are also often the closest witnesses to wrongdoing when it occurs and therefore must be appropriately protected from the consequences of reporting wrongdoing and be informed of their rights. Please find full details at research.wisc.edu/respolcomp/resethics/

Grievance Procedures

Child Abuse Reporting 

If you know a classmate is cheating on an exam or other academic exercise, notify your professor, teaching assistant or proctor of the exam. As a part of the university community, you are expected to uphold the standards of the university. Also, consider how your classmate's dishonesty may affect the overall grading curve and integrity of the program.

Grievance Procedures

UW-Madison prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. These offenses violate UW-Madison policies and are subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions can range from reprimand to expulsion from UW-Madison. In many cases, these offenses also violate Wisconsin criminal law and could lead to arrest and criminal prosecution.

Students who experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking have many options and services available to them on and off campus, including mental health counseling, victim advocacy and access to the criminal and campus disciplinary systems. For a list of confidential support and reporting options, please visit https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/survivor-services/sexual-assault/.

Faculty, staff, teaching assistants, and others who work directly with students at UW-Madison are required by law to report first-hand knowledge or disclosures of sexual assault to university officials for statistical purposes. In addition, disclosures made to certain university employees, such as academic advisors or university administrators, may be forwarded to the campus Title IX coordinator for a response. For more information, please visit https://compliance.wisc.edu/titleix/.

Grievance Procedures

As a UW-Madison employee (under Wisconsin Executive Order #54), you are required to immediately report child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS) or law enforcement if, in the course of employment, the employee observes an incident or threat of child abuse or neglect, or learns of an incident or threat of child abuse or neglect, and the employee has reasonable cause to believe that child abuse or neglect has occurred or will occur. Volunteers working for UW-Madison sponsored programs or activities are also expected to report suspected abuse or neglect. Please find full details at https://youthprotection.wisc.edu/reporting/.

Grievance Procedures

The University of Wisconsin-Madison values a diverse community where all members are able to participate fully in the Wisconsin Experience. Incidents of Bias/Hate affecting a person or group create a hostile climate and negatively impact the quality of the Wisconsin Experience for community members. UW-Madison takes such incidents seriously and will investigate and respond to reported or observed incidents of bias/hate https://osas.wisc.edu/report-an-issue/bias-or-hate-reporting/.