Preventing and Solving Problems
Every graduate student is required to complete GRST 801 Grad Thrive Plus. This is an online course composed of several modules including one on academic integrity. Essentially, academic misconduct is when you represent other people’s work as your own. At FGSR we take academic misconduct very seriously; the penalties for academic misconduct range from grade reductions to suspension. Be sure that you complete GRST 801 early in your program and that you understand the regulations concerning academic misconduct. Be sure to ask your instructors if you are unclear about what may constitute academic misconduct.
For more details, please refer to the Graduate Calendar entry on academic misconduct.
If a professor suspects you of academic misconduct, they are to report the incident to FGSR (a professor cannot give a student a grade penalty for academic misconduct; all suspected academic misconducts by graduate students are to be reported to FGSR). FGSR will invite you to have a meeting with the Associate Dean of FGSR (or a designee). At this meeting you may defend your work or explain why you do not believe that it constitutes academic misconduct. The Associate Dean of FGSR will decide if they believe that an academic misconduct occurred. If it is decided that a misconduct occurred, the Associate Dean will determine the penalty (this penalty may be a grade reduction, the awarding of the grade of XF in the course or suspension from FGSR). The student will be informed in writing. For any confirmed case of academic misconduct, a letter is placed in the student’s file recording the incident. The letter will not be shared with anyone, but if there are subsequent academic misconducts the penalty will be more severe. Finally, students have the right to appeal either the decision that an academic misconduct occurred or the penalty assessed.
If you are an employee of the University of Regina or are closely-associated with an employee of the University of Regina, please review the Conflict of Interest Declariation: Applicants for Graduate Programs who Are, or Are Closely Associated with, U of R Staff policy and form.
Services and support are provided from pre-entry through graduation to undergraduate and graduate students on- and off-campus. New and prospective students are encouraged to contact the Centre early in order to ensure that registration for services is complete prior to the beginning of classes.
Current University of Regina students with a disability can register for services at any time; however, early registration is recommended. Make an appointment today with an Accessibility Advisor in order to determine what services may be available to you.
An Accessibility Advisor will meet with you to:
- Review documentation
- Determine appropriate accommodations
- Assist in accessing funding for accessibility-related supports and services
- Provide information regarding on-campus accessibility
- Advise on the process for securing academic accommodations each semester
The Student Advocate is a professional, registered social services worker available to assist those who are experiencing difficulties. Their main areas of service are financial and academic advocacy. They are also a source of referrals or support for victims of sexual assault, those dealing with mental health Issues or those seeking personal support.
The Advocate operates in an advisory capacity and has the power to investigate, the power to recommend and the power to represent.
The Student Advocate is there for you in times of crisis, but also helps you manage issues before they become a crisis.
Fieldwork activities and traveling for University purposes can expose participants to significant risks to their health, safety or well-being. Faculty, staff and students should familiarize themselves with the University of Regina Travel Policy.
This policy outlines the University's position on University travel and includes links to the Travel Authorization Request Form.
The Health and Safety team also provides various resources to ensure safe travel.
Students who participate in an unpaid work-based learning program, such as a practicum or internship, are eligible for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a collective liability no-fault protection plan for workers injured or killed by a chance event.
Benefits (including long-term benefits) may include some compensation for medical expenses, lost future wages, permanent functional impairment and death.
The Workers’ Compensation Board has a memorandum with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and has passed a policy under authority of The Workers’ Compensation Act 2013.
Students participating in an unpaid work-based learning assignment need to fill out the Worker's Compensation Agreement form.
Selecting a Supervisor and Committee
Before you start your research or project hours (these are classes numbered 901 or 902), perhaps even before you have started your program, you will choose a supervisor (and possibly a co-supervisor). Student-supervisor relationships vary greatly. Working with your supervisor can be rewarding or challenging, formal or personal, it may be cooperative or even frustrating.
It is important to select a supervisor who you respect, and your supervisor must be someone with whom you can work with.
You, with your supervisor, will also select a graduate committee. This committee will read and judge your final thesis or project. Your committee can provide additional help and support you through your program. You can turn to your committee for advice and guidance through your program.
Detailed information on Master’s / PhD committees:
Supervisory Committee for Master's Candidates
Supervisory Committee for Doctoral Candidates
Your supervisor(s) and committee members must be accredited with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Responsibilities of Supervisors
Your supervisor is expected to guide you through your program, help you develop and carry out your research or project, and direct you in writing your thesis.
Some students and supervisors find it useful to sign a Letter of Understanding that details responsibilities and expectations.
Change of Supervisor
The graduate student is responsible for interacting with advisors and committee members in a professional manner, and for doing their part in maintaining positive working relationships. At times, the research interests of a student may change, or conflicts may arise between a student and supervisor that require formal means to resolve matters. An appropriate course of action may be a request for a change of supervisor in accordance with the following procedure:
- the student submits the Change of Graduate Supervisor form to the academic unit head (or designate) for a change of supervisor.
- the head will process the request, which will involve consulting with all relevant parties.
- the head forwards the request and a recommendation (including pertinent comments as may apply) to the Dean of FGSR.
In recommending the change, it is assumed that the head has verified that each person (new supervisor, previous supervisor and student) is in agreement, or accepting of the change.
If there is not full agreement, every effort should be made to resolve the matter before notice is sent to the Dean’s office.
It should be noted that:
- the new supervisor must have an accreditation level consistent with the student’s program of study.
- the department and FGSR have no responsibility to agree to a change in supervisory arrangements if they cannot reasonably be accommodated. In this regard, the department should consult with FGSR and then inform the student about what supervisory arrangements will or will not be provided.
- if there are funding issues involved, these must be clarified in the submission from the head. For example, it may be acknowledged that funding through the previous supervisor is no longer available, and/or what funding, if any, will be provided by the new supervisor.