Grounds for Removal (Dismissal):

The following represent grounds for removal of a student from the school’s graduate programs:

• Failure to meet the academic requirements of the Department (including probation terms) and/or those of the Graduate School
• Continual unsafe and detrimental conduct, in spite of repeated warnings  
• The student has persisted in unsafe practices, willful insubordination or in refusing to carry out assigned duties without an acceptable reason.
• The student has made harmful threats to others in the Department or School.
• The student has persisted in using abusive language or behavior with others in the Department or School.
• The student has failed to make satisfactory progress in the program. See Academic Standing.
  
• The student has committed serious infractions of accepted practices related to research ethics, laboratory procedures, data-use, human subjects or vertebrate animals use that has compromised the integrity of research.
• The student has committed serious infractions of University regulations, including academic dishonesty.
• The student has extended unauthorized absences. 
• Graduate students not meeting the written terms of their academic probation may be academically dismissed from the program by the Director of Graduate Studies, Chair of the department or Director. Such dismissals shall be done in a timely fashion but no later than three weeks after the completion of the term. The Graduate School will be notified in writing of all such academic dismissals.

Additional for Micro-Credentials:

• Any student receiving a failing grade “F” in any course may be subject to dismissal from the micro-credential.
• Any student who fails to maintain university graduate student status for two (2) consecutive years may be subject to dismissal from the micro-credential.
• Any student who fails to complete the final project for the micro-credential within the defined timeframe may be subject to dismissal from the micro-credential.

Dismissal Process: 

The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), Department Chair, or Graduate Program Director may dismiss a student not meeting probation terms—within 3 weeks of term completion. The Graduate School is notified in writing.

Removal requires a majority vote by the Department’s Graduate Education Committee.

Dismissal Steps:

1. Written notification by the DGS or appropriate official.
2. The student may address the Graduate Education Committee before dismissal (with an advocate, if they choose).
3. Committee votes.
4. Written notification of decision.
5. A “GRD” service indicator is placed on the student’s record to prevent further registration

Right to Appeal:

Students may appeal dismissal decisions as follows :

1. Submit written petition to the DGS within 10 business days of dismissal notice.
2. Meeting with the Graduate Education Committee. An advocate may be present. Committee review within 30 business days.
3. If unresolved, submit a written appeal to the Dean of the School.
4. Final appeal to the Dean of the Graduate School, if necessary.
5. Final decision within 60 business days.

The appeal process shall follow the Academic Grievance Policy procedures as defined by the Graduate School (see Academic Grievance). During such appeals, the student may speak on their own behalf, may submit a written statement, or may ask another person such as a faculty member or another graduate student in the Department to act as their advocate. Such an advocate should not be acting as a legal representative in these proceedings.