Equity, Social Justice, and Accountability Committee
Student Bill of Rights
Graduate Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
The Department of Communication at the University of South Florida stands committed
to
graduate student success. This commitment is founded upon the preservation of an intellectual
environment for graduate students to pursue scholarly inquiry and professional development.
It is our view that such values are best advanced through the combined efforts of
faculty, staff, and students who aim to foster a department culture of inclusion,
equity, and transparency that is receptive to the rights and responsibilities of its
graduate students.
Inclusion
Members of the Department have a right to feel valued, welcomed, and recognized by
the community. The Department should foster an environment that nourishes diverse
experiences and embodiments. All departmental citizens have the responsibility to
contribute to an inclusive
climate. This includes, but is not limited to, an environment free of physical danger,
harassment, exploitation, or discrimination.
Equity
All members of the Department should be treated equitably in ways commensurate with
rank andprofessional rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, the principle of equity
affirms the
importance of addressing the unique needs of individuals from historically marginalized
populations.
Transparency
While members of the Department will vary in terms of the roles they play in governance,
all
members of the department should be made aware, unless specific policies forbid it,
of changes in policy, as well as the rationales for such changes in a timely fashion.
All members of the Department are entitled to transparent policies with regard to
evaluation and discipline, as well as transparency regarding expectations.
This document elucidates your rights and responsibilities as a graduate student within
the
Department of Communication at USF. This should be understood primarily as an aspirational
document outlining a set of guiding principles for the Department. These are rights,
not policies. Thus, refer to the University and Departmental Graduate Student Handbooks,
the Department of Communication Bylaws, relevant USF policy statements and permanent
memoranda, and the Student Code of Conduct for information regarding University, College,
and Departmental policies.
Amending this Document
Any three currently enrolled graduate students of the department may propose an amendment. A proposed amendment necessitates a meeting open to all enrolled graduate students of the department to discuss the proposed amendment (the meeting can be in person or via other modalities), which must take place no sooner than two weeks after the amendment is proposed. After full deliberation on the amendment, a proposed amendment must receive votes from at least 60% of the total enrolled graduate student members at the time of the vote--total membership to be determined by current enrollment data from the Academic Program Specialist--and an affirmative vote by a simple majority of votes cast. All voting on proposed amendments shall be conducted by secret ballot.
Graduate Student Rights
I. Graduate students have a right to refuse to perform tasks if those tasks are not closely related to their academic or professional development program, and/or are outside the parameters of their contracted assistantship.
A. Student’s vulnerability in having a lower status and authority in the academic
unit or
less experience in the academic field of study should not be exploited to the personal
or
professional advantage of faculty members (e.g., to further their personal research
agenda).
II. Graduate students have a right to full-faith consultation and mediation with the
USF
ombudsperson and Graduate Assistants United if they believe their rights are infringed
(e.g.,
filing grievances, seeking guidance).
III. Graduate students have a right to be respected as a person of merit and junior
colleague upon gaining admission to the Department.
A. Graduate students have a right to study and work in an environment free of:
■ Exploitation, intimidation, harassment, and discrimination based
on characteristics including but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, age,
sexual orientation, gender expression (to include gender pronouns), and
identity, family status, disability, requests for accommodation, religious or
political affiliations, country of origin, and country of citizenship.
B. Graduate students have a right to be recognized in their identity, such as being
referred to by the name and pronouns they’ve provided.
C. Graduate students have a right to an intellectually stimulating and diverse
academic environment that includes members from historically underrepresented
groups.
D. Graduate students have a responsibility to be respectful of all faculty, staff,
and students as persons of merit.
E. A graduate student’s performance or behavior should only be discussed for
professional purposes and in a collegial manner.
IV. Graduate students have a right to professional development to support their present
and future professional lives.
A. Graduate students should receive authorship and acknowledgement credits on
scholarly publications commensurate with their contributions to such works.
B. Graduate students can take part in activities to foster their professional
development including, but not limited to, internships, relevant conferences,
volunteer experience, workshops, and courses (as long as it does not infringe on
their employment agreement with the department).[1]
C. Graduate students have access to professional and academic guidance from
their advisor and other members of the graduate faculty (at the faculty’s
discretion).
D. Graduate students cannot have their progress hindered by graduate faculty as
long as the student is in good standing with the Department.
E. Graduate students have the right to change their faculty advisor if necessary,
without repercussion from the advisor or other members of the Department.
V. Graduate students have a right to a fair evaluation of their progress towards an
advanced degree.
A. Graduate students have a right to be made aware of specific and concrete
requirements for achieving an advanced degree. These requirements should be
communicated clearly, consistently, and transparently.
B. Graduate students should be given a fair opportunity to correct or remedy
deficiencies in their academic performance.
C. Evaluations should be professional, specific, rooted in established disciplinary
norms, consistent with University policy, and should be shared with the student
within a reasonable period of time. Annual progress reports should be available to
the student in writing.
D. Changes to degree requirements should not affect students previously
accepted into the graduate program.
E. Prospective and currently enrolled graduate students have a right to know the
“average and normative time to degree” within the Department.
VI. Graduate students have a right to be informed of financial and resource support.
A. The Department should provide an accurate description of availability and the
likelihood of ongoing financial and resource support.
B. Prospective and currently enrolled graduate students should be provided a
thorough description of the requirements and qualifications necessary for
academic employment, training, and financial support within the Department and
the University.
VII. Graduate students have a right to representation within the Department and
participation in governance where appropriate.
A. The Graduate Communication Association reserves the right to form and
maintain a governing body within the Department that is free from coercion.
Graduate Student Responsibilities
I. Graduate students have a responsibility to uphold and follow Department and
University missions and policies.
II. Graduate students have a responsibility to help foster a professional[2] climate
in
which all faculty, staff, and students (both graduate and undergraduate) feel included.
A. Graduate students should clearly communicate professional boundaries with
faculty and fellow graduate students, and respect the boundaries of others.
III. Graduate students have a responsibility to participate in the Department
community to the extent that they are able.
A. Graduate students have a responsibility to contribute to the academic
development and the social environment of the Department.
B. Graduate students have a responsibility to contribute to the administration
of the Department’s Graduate Communication Association and/or the University
IV. Graduate students have a responsibility to take initiative in asking questions
that
promote their understanding of the academic requirements and funding opportunities
(i.e., travel funding and stipend).
V. Graduate students have a responsibility to conduct themselves, in all educational
activities, in a professional manner.
VI. Within their institutional role, graduate students have a responsibility to focus
on
their academic career and apply energy toward completing their degree within the
average timeline for degree completion for the department, except when special
circumstances apply.
VII. Graduate students have a responsibility to uphold ethical norms in research and
scholarship and provide accurate and honest reporting of research results, research
methodology, and scholarship.
VIII. Graduate students have a responsibility to understand their role in the
development of the relationship between faculty mentor and graduate student.
A. To have an awareness of time constraints and other demands imposed on
faculty members and Department staff. To communicate regularly with faculty,
mentors, and advisors in matters related to research and progress within the
Department.
[1] According to the Handbook, “Graduate students in the Department of Communication at USF who are employed .50 FTE by the Department may not accept work elsewhere, on or off campus, without the permission of their major professor, the Graduate Director, and the Department Chair” (p. 27).
[2] Examples of university definitions of professionalism:
http://graduate.auburn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/What-is-PROFESSIONALISM.pdf