Formal Stages of Appeal
Although students generally proceed through their graduate degree programs without obstacles, others may experience difficulties with another student, faculty member, staff member, supervisor or with departmental rules and/or procedures. Disagreements about progress in a program, research, and intellectual property also may be of concern. Because graduate students may hold several roles (e.g. instructor and graduate student), different University rules and regulations, each with its own set of procedures for resolving complaints or grievances, may be applied. It is important to note that those various formal procedures may have different time frames within which the complaint must be filed.
When it is not possible to solve a problem through informal means, a formal grievance policy process is available to guide an orderly process of resolution. The following section is designed to provide graduate students with a delineation of the steps necessary to initiate both informal and formal complaints.
For information about appealing grades, refer to Academic Senate Student Appeals Procedures.
From time to time disagreements about decisions, deadlines, policies, procedures, and issues of academic judgment may arise between a student and member of a thesis or dissertation committee. For information about the procedures for appealing these disputes, refer to Academic Senate Student Appeals Procedures.
For information about appealing academic disqualification, refer to Academic Senate Student Appeals Procedures.
Other Grievances
The following list includes other types of problems that may be encountered and the agencies which the student may ask for assistance:
Issues of intellectual property, problems specific to research, conflict of interest, conflict of commitment, any other research integrity matter.
After consulting with your mentor, Graduate Advisor, or Department Chair, the student may consult with Assistant Dean Robert Hamm in the Graduate Division, (805) 893-2013.
After consulting with your mentor, Graduate Advisor, or Department Chair, the student may consult with Assistant Dean Robert Hamm in the Graduate Division, (805) 893-2013.
After consulting with your mentor, Graduate Advisor, or Department Chair, the student may consult with Assistant Dean Robert Hamm in the Graduate Division, (805) 893-2013.
For grievances involving professional misconduct on the part of Academic Senate faculty (tenured professors, associate professors and assistant professors), complaints may be filed under the University Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline.
Copies of the Academic Personnel Manual (APM-016) are available online or in the Academic Senate Office, Girvetz Hall 1230.
UC Santa Barbara policy specifically prohibits sexual harassment and provides a grievance procedure for this form of discrimination in Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure (Policy 1035).
To report an incident of sexual harassment, sexual violence, or sex-based discrimination/harassment (including pregnancy), submit an online report to the Title IX Office by clicking on "File a Report with Title IX" on the Title IX Office's reporting page.
UC Santa Barbara is in compliance with all legislation which seeks to eliminate discrimination toward students. Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, and religion. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Policy action by the Regents of the University of California prohibits discrimination on the basis of age and sexual orientation.
Any student who wishes to file a grievance arising from alleged discrimination (other than a contested grade) must do so at the Office of the Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs, (805) 893-3651, Cheadle Hall 5203.