CBS conflict resolution guidance

Procedures for addressing student-thesis advisor conflicts

As students work through their graduate degree program and dissertation research, they may encounter times when they and their thesis advisor disagree or are not in full agreement on aspects of their research, including work styles and expectations, when data are ready to publish, or when to move on from an experiment or set of experiments that might not be working. Such disagreements are uncomfortable and challenging but normal; they can be an opportunity for academic, professional, and personal growth as students learn how to listen and discuss ideas, how to collaborate, how to assert themselves, and how to set boundaries.

Should a conflict arise between a student and advisor, the following steps should be taken:

  1. The student and advisor should discuss the issue and attempt to resolve their differences.
  2. If a conflict is persistent and a student and thesis advisor cannot reach an agreement on how to resolve their differences, the student and/or advisor should consult the student’s thesis committee chair. When a student has not yet identified a thesis committee chair, another committee member or the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) can serve as the main point of contact for this step.
    • The thesis committee chair may choose to schedule a thesis committee meeting to discuss the issue. This is the chair’s prerogative and does not require agreement of the advisor. This meeting would involve the committee, advisor, and student. The committee could also meet with the advisor and student individually.
    • Following any thesis committee meeting, the chair is expected to document the discussion, including any proposed steps intended to remedy the situation. 
    • In cases of disagreement regarding the timing of a student’s graduation, the student and committee chair should contact the DGS.
    • In cases of insufficient progress towards degree, the committee chair should employ a Scholarly Work Agreement to outline the steps the student should take to get back on track. 
      1. Scholarly Work Agreements are intended to facilitate outlining of clear and appropriate expectations for progress and to provide an accountability mechanism for students.
      2. This document must include a deadline for the completion of each step, outline the outcomes associated with either success or failure to complete the work, and must be signed by the student, advisor, and DGS. The student is expected to document their progress by regularly updating the Scholarly Work Agreement. This progress will be tracked by the committee chair.
  3. If a committee meeting is not called and the student and/or advisor would like additional input on the issue, they may choose to consult with additional members of the student’s thesis committee on an individual basis.   
    • Conversations with committee members must be documented and reported to the committee chair. No action to resolve the issue may be taken without the involvement and approval of the committee chair.
  4. The student, advisor, and committee chair must report the issue and outcomes of any discussions or committee meetings to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) in writing. 
    • If the situation remains unresolved, the DGS will meet separately with each individual to further document the concerns.
    • When appropriate, the DGS may recommend consultation with the CBS Associate Dean for Graduate Students and Postdocs.
  5. If the ultimate solution is a lab change, temporary bridge funds may be requested from CBS by the DGS to support the student during the process of finding a new lab. Requests for bridge funding are made before a student leaves their original lab.
    • Bridge funds are discretionary and are not guaranteed by CBS.
    • Each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the CBS Associate Dean for Graduate Students and Postdocs.
    • Once a student joins a new lab, their new advisor must immediately assume full financial responsibility for the student.

**At any point during this process, students and faculty are encouraged to contact the Office for Conflict Resolution and/or the Student Conflict Resource Center for assistance.

If a student is in good academic standing* and the best course of action is for them to change their thesis lab, the Graduate Program will:

  • Document the reason why the student is leaving their original thesis lab.
  • Provide the student with an updated list of faculty members who are looking for students.
  • Clearly communicate to the student the steps involved in transferring labs.
  • Ensure transparency in communications with potential new advisors regarding the reason the student has left their lab.
  • Instruct international students to consult with ISSS immediately regarding the implications for their visa status if a new lab cannot be found.
  • Clearly communicate to the student the steps involved if joining a new lab is not feasible or new rotations do not lead to finding a new lab home.
  • Counsel the student that finding a new lab is not guaranteed and getting a master's degree, taking a leave of absence, or leaving the program are possible outcomes, although these are last-resort options.

*Students maintain their good academic standing by meeting the academic requirements of the PMB Graduate Program. These requirements include working towards completion of required and elective courses pre-candidacy, maintaining a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0, successfully joining a lab by the end of the first year in the program, passing of preliminary exams, and making progress towards the PhD as assessed annually by the student’s thesis committee.