-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of Cheung, Junnie
Sent: August-30-12 8:53 AM
Subject: Documents about Expectations Regarding the Graduate Student-Supervisor Relationship
August 29, 2012
Dear Graduate Advisors and Staff,
I am writing this letter to let you know about a useful new resource the Faculty of Graduate Studies has created for faculty members and their research graduate students. We are all aware that graduate education represents a significant investment for students and the university. The relationship a research graduate student has with his/her supervisor is one of the most important factors in the success of their program, and the most positive outcomes for supervisors depend on mutually open, committed, and respectful relationships with their students.
The resource we have created, with input from the Graduate Student Society and UBC Counsel Office is a document outlining the expectations of the student-supervisor relationship. Although not all points in the document may be applicable in all circumstances, and additional elements may be important, we view these generally as hallmarks of a positive, productive, and respectful relationship between a research student and his/her supervisor. We strongly encourage students and their supervisors to have a conversation at the start of the student's program about their relationship, and the document is meant to facilitate that process. If used as such, it may be modified according to circumstances. We encourage signing by both parties to indicate a high level of mutual commitment to the principles laid out. We have also created a template letter that may be used by the supervisor to expand on the conditions of supervision or to place the expectations in context.
UBC Policy 85 on Scholarly Integrity stipulates that "research conditions for all involved in a research team should be outlined in a letter from the Principal Investigator before team members become engaged". The document may also assist faculty members in meeting this important university requirement.
Several UBC graduate programs are already using similar documents as required practice. It is my hope that, if you are not already doing so, you will consider instituting such a system, or at the least, encouraging it in your own programs.
We are attaching an electronic version of the documents to this email. The documents will also be available on our website, under information for supervisors (further resources), http://www.grad.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/information-supervisors/further-resources. We are aware that it may not be a priority for many faculty members to visit this site, and even if you do not require the use of these documents, your assistance with increasing their visibility would be much appreciated. With thanks for the important role you play in supporting our faculty and students.
Kind regards,
Wendy Hall, Associate Dean, Faculty and Program Development, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Faculty of Graduate Studies Template Letter August 2012
Faculty of Graduate Studies Expectations Document August 29 2012
Posted: 09|13|12 at 3:53 pm.
Filed under: Announcements.
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