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Graduate Student/Advisor Communication & Conflict Resolution

During your time as a graduate student at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth ("Thayer"), you may find you are having challenges communicating with your research advisor or that your expectations are greatly misaligned. Thayer encourages you to speak with someone outside of your research group if you find you are not able to navigate this on your own or you just want someone to listen.

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Who to Talk to

Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs Holly Wilkinson is always available to meet with students to listen, provide guidance, and resources. You may also want to schedule a meeting with the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs Ian Baker, who has experience navigating student/advisor relationships.

Informal Resolution Options

In many instances, an informal process can help resolve a student/advisor related concern in an efficient and expeditious manner. Students who have a concern about their current research situation, or advisor communications or expectations, may initially attempt to resolve matters by contacting Holly Wilkinson, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, to discuss the nature of the complaint, factors to consider as part of the interactive process, and whether an alternative resolution process with the relevant individual or program can be engaged.

After speaking with the Associate Dean, next steps in an informal resolution might include:

  • Getting advice on how to approach difficult conversations
  • Associate Dean may offer to participate in student-advisor meeting(s) as need
  • You may be referred to an external restorative justice consultant if that is of interest to you

Formal Complaint Process

If a concern can not be addressed by an informal resolution process or a student would like to submit a formal complaint at any point, the formal grievance process is outlined in the Faculty Handbook of Arts and Sciences (Thayer has adopted the same process with the exception that complaints should be filed with the Thayer Dean in lieu of the Dean of the Faculty).

Any student, faculty or non-faculty employee or guest may also consult with Dartmouth's Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX (EOATIX) about a concern about any alleged discriminatory behavior of a faculty member, if applicable. For more information, please visit Equal Opportunity Grievance Procedures.

Thayer Bridge Funding Support

If a student/advisor conflict should arise that cannot be resolved between the parties, and the student wishes to transfer to another Thayer research laboratory, Thayer will help facilitate these student-faculty introductions to explore fit. One term of stipend and tuition support (bridge funding) will be provided by Thayer in these cases, for a student in good standing.

Dartmouth Compliance and Ethics Hotline

Dartmouth College is committed to an environment where all members of the Dartmouth community are encouraged to report any suspected violations of law or College policy without fear of retaliation. In situations where you prefer to place an anonymous confidential report, we advise students to use this hotline, hosted by a third party, EthicsPoint. This is an anonymous and confidential resource.