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The Graduate School of Business
The Graduate School of Business has as its objective the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the business and organizational disciplines through scholarly research and excellence in its graduate management education programs.
Anyone who wishes to earn graduate-level credit, whether as a degree-seeking student or as a non-degree seeking student, must make formal application to, and be officially admitted by the Graduate School of Business. The Graduate School of Business offers two classifications of admission: Degree Standing and Non-Degree Standing.
1. DEGREE STANDING
The Graduate School of Business shall admit only those applicants to Degree Standing whose enrollment the Graduate School of Business considers will contribute positively to the quality of life and educational programs of the Graduate School of Business. Unlike the Graduate School, students are simultaneously admitted to the Graduate School of Business and a degree program.
2. Non-Degree Standing
The Graduate School of Business shall admit those applicants to single semester Non-Degree Standing whose enrollment will not lead to a degree.
Application. Applications for admission to the Graduate School of Business must be accompanied by a $40.00 application fee ($50.00 for international applicants), which is not refundable and will not apply against the general registration fee if the applicant enrolls. Applicants will not be considered for admission until all required application materials have been received by the Graduate School of Business.
Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree must submit the following items:
1. Application form
2. Application fee ($40 domestic; $50 international)
3. Current resume
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Official transcripts from each college or university attended
6. Two one-page essays
7. Official GMAT score (M.B.A., M.Acc., M.I.S., and M.T.L.M.)
8. Official GRE score (M.A.Econ.)
9. Official TOEFL or IELTS score (international applicants only)
10. Financial and Supplemental Information form (international applicants only)
11. Educational Summary form (International applicants only)
12. TSE (International applicants to M.I.S. program).
The application form may be obtained on the Web at http://gsb.uark.edu/ , or the application packet may be obtained from and should be submitted directly to the following address:
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
475 Business Building
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Telephone: 479-575-2851
Fax: 479-575-8721
E-mail: gsb@walton.uark.edu
Transcripts. For applicants who desire Degree Standing: It is the responsibility of each applicant who desires full graduate standing to request each college or university that the student has previously attended to send directly to the Graduate School of Business one official copy of the student’s academic record including all courses, grades, and credits attempted and indication of degree(s) earned.
Note: The fact that courses completed at one institution may be included on a transcript from another institution will not suffice; official transcripts must be received from each institution previously attended. All transcripts become the property of the Graduate School of Business and will not be released to the applicant or to any other person, institution or agency. All application materials, including all official transcripts, should be received by the Graduate School of Business by the published application deadline for the program for which the student is applying.
Previously Enrolled or Currently Enrolled at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. For those previously enrolled or currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the Graduate School of Business obtains transcripts from the Registrar’s Office. For a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (baccalaureate degree), the only transcripts are those from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and those from each institution attended after completing the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, degree. Anyone who was previously enrolled, but who is not currently enrolled in the University of Arkansas Graduate School of Business, is considered a “readmission” and is required only to submit an Application for Admission (no fee) and official transcripts from institutions attended after the University of Arkansas Graduate School of Business enrollment. (See Admission Classification: Readmission.)
Deferred Admission. Admission to the Graduate School of Business is for a specific semester only. Applicants who wish to change their date of entry after submitting an application must notify the Graduate School of Business Office. Applicants who have already been admitted but who would like to change their date of entry must request to have their admission deferred. Admission may be deferred for up to one academic year at the discretion of the Director of the masters program to which the student has been admitted. Application materials for applicants who apply for admission, but who do not subsequently enroll, will be retained by the Graduate School of Business Office for two calendar years from the date of the applicant’s original proposed semester of entry. However, applicants must file a new Application for Admission (no fee) to notify the Graduate School of Business of their request for reconsideration. Applicants who are admitted but who do not enroll for two years or more after admission must resubmit the entire application packet and follow procedures for initial admission.
Admission to Degree Standing. Official notice of the decision concerning admission will be sent from the Graduate School of Business for admission to the Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Arts in Economics, Master of Information Systems, and the Master of Transportation and Logistics Management programs.
Adviser. At the time of admission to a degree program in the Graduate School of Business, the student is assigned to a major adviser who acts as the adviser throughout the student’s program of study. The appointment of the adviser is made in the student’s major department.
International and Resident Alien Applicants. International applicants and resident aliens must submit a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 213 on the computer-based version of the TOEFL or a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS taken within the preceding two years, unless their native language is English, they have received a graduate degree from an accredited U.S. graduate school, or they have demonstrated an acceptable level of language proficiency as defined in the Graduate School Handbook located on the Graduate School Web site. Applicants to the Master of Information Systems degree must submit official scores for the Test of Spoken English (TSE). International applicants and resident alien applicants may refer to page 18 of this catalog for additional information related to their application.
Additional Language Requirement for Doctoral Students. Doctoral students are normally called upon to teach an undergraduate course at some point during their program. The University of Arkansas and the Walton College of Business are committed to providing quality instruction at the undergraduate level. As a result, all doctoral students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and present a minimum score of 50. The TSE may be taken prior to admission or during the first semester of the student’s matriculation at the University of Arkansas. In no case will a doctoral student be allowed to teach an undergraduate course without meeting the minimum score requirement on the TSE.
Classifications of Admission
The Graduate School of Business admits students as either degree-seeking or as non-degree-seeking for a single semester. Degree-seeking students are simultaneously admitted to the Graduate School of Business and to the degree program in which they are seeking a degree. Each master’s degree program in the Walton College has its own minimum admissions criteria. Meeting the minimum criteria listed below does not imply that admission will be granted. The minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Business and master’s degree programs leading to a graduate degree are as follows:
Degree-Seeking/Regular Standing.
a. a grade-point average of 2.70 or better. (A = 4.00) on all course work taken prior to receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and an acceptable GMAT or GRE score.
b. a grade-point average of 3.20 or better on the last 60 hours of course work taken prior to the receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and an acceptable GMAT or GRE score.
Degree-Seeking/Conditional Standing.
c. a grade-point average between 2.50 and 2.69 on all course work taken prior to receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, acceptable GMAT or GRE score, and approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, on condition that the student makes a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better on the first 12 hours of graduate-level course work in the degree program and meets any other conditions that may be specified by the faculty of the department or program.
Any other consideration for regular admission must be by individual petition to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and, where pertinent, a recommendation from the appropriate departmental chair will be considered on its own merits, case by case.
Non-Degree Seeking, Single Semester. Applicants who desire non-degree standing must complete the Non-Degree Seeking Application and must sign the STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING portion of the form. Students admitted to a single semester non-degree standing must understand that any enrollment taken in this classification will not normally carry degree credit. Transcripts are not required for applicants seeking this single semester non-degree standing.
Persons who are admitted as non-degree seeking and who subsequently decide to pursue a degree must apply for and be admitted into a master’s degree program by the appropriate admissions committee of the Graduate School of Business.
A non-degree seeking student may take no more than six semester hours of graduate-level courses that can be counted toward the requirements for a graduate degree. At the time of acceptance into a degree program, the director of the appropriate master’s degree program will recommend to the Graduate School of Business which courses previously taken, if any, are to be accepted in the degree program.
Letter of Good Standing. A graduate student who is in good standing at another regionally accredited institution in the United States may be given admission (non-degree status) to the Graduate School of Business for one semester upon submission of an Application for Admission and a letter of good standing from the dean of the Graduate School at that institution. If at some time in the future the student should wish to pursue a degree in the Graduate School of Business or in the University of Arkansas Graduate School, it will be necessary to follow the normal procedures for admission and to have official transcripts sent from each institution previously attended. Graduate courses transferred and used for requirements for a degree at another university cannot be used for a graduate degree at this institution.
Readmission. Readmission to the Graduate School of Business is not automatic.
1. A student who has not been enrolled during the preceding semester (fall or spring), and who has not attended any other institution of higher education during his or her absence must submit to the Graduate School of Business a Readmission Form.
2. A student who has not been enrolled during the previous semester (fall or spring) and who has attended any other institution of higher education during that semester must submit a new application form (no fee) to the Graduate School of Business along with an official transcript from the institution attended.
3. A student who has not been enrolled for more than one semester, whether or not he/she has attended another institution of higher education, must submit a new application for admission (no fee). At the time of readmission, the appropriate admissions committee will determine whether to readmit the student and which classes taken during previous enrollments at the Graduate School of Business will be counted toward graduation.
Dual Enrollment. Seniors at the University of Arkansas may register for graduate credit if they meet all of the requirements listed on page 19.
Transfer of Credit. The Graduate School of Business will allow transfer of credit of a maximum of six credit hours under the following circumstances:
1. the hours were earned at an AACSB-accredited school, and
2. the student earned an “A” or “B” in the courses requested for transfer credit, and
3. the master’s program coordinator approves the courses for credit toward a master’s degree.
REGISTRATION AND RELATED TOPICS
Important information regarding registration for classes, withdrawal, attendance, and related issues can be found on page 21. The Graduate School of Business adheres to the guidelines as set forth in the Graduate Catalog with the exception of full-time status noted below.
Full-Time Status. Enrollment in 9 semester hours (not including audited courses) is considered full-time for graduate students unless otherwise specified by individual degree programs. For full-time enrollment in the summer, consult the Graduate School Handbook, available on the Graduate School Web site, http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/ .
The Graduate School of Business uses the same grading and marking system as the Graduate School. For additional information, see the "Grades and Marks" section of the chapter on Objectives, Regulations and Degrees.
Students may be dropped from further study in the Graduate School of Business if, at any time, their performance is considered unsatisfactory as determined by either the program faculty or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Walton College of Business. Academic or research dishonesty or failure to maintain a specified cumulative grade-point average are considered to be unsatisfactory performance. The Graduate School of Business subscribes to and enforces the academic honesty policy of the University of Arkansas (see the chapter on Objectives, Regulations and Degrees).
For students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Economics degree program, the following academic standards apply: If a student has less than a 2.85 cumulative grade-point average on 12 or more semester hours of graded course work taken in residence for graduate credit, the student will be placed on academic probation. The student will subsequently be dismissed from the Graduate School of Business if the cumulative GPA is not raised to 2.85 or above on the next nine hours of graded graduate course work.
For students enrolled in the Master of Accountancy, Master of Information Systems, or Master of Transportation and Logistics Management degree programs, the following academic standards apply: Whenever a student has less than a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average on graded course work taken in residence for graduate credit, the student will be placed on academic probation and warned of the possibility of academic dismissal. If the student fails to bring his/her cumulative grade-point average up to or above a 3.00 at the conclusion of the next grading period, he/she will be academically dismissed from the program. Any student who earns more than two “C” grades in graduate courses taken to fulfill requirements for the master’s degree will be academically dismissed.
Using its own written procedures, the graduate faculty of each master’s degree program may recommend that the student be readmitted to the Graduate School of Business. The graduate faculty of the master’s degree programs may establish, and state in writing, the requirements for continuation in that program. Non-degree seeking students who are dismissed may petition for readmission to the Graduate School of Business by submitting a written appeal to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
A cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 is required to be eligible for graduation. In addition, at least 75 percent of the graduate credit hours submitted for a degree must be “A” or “B” grades. Students in the Master of Accountancy, Master of Information Systems, or Master of Transportation and Logistics Management may have no more than two “C” grades in graduate courses taken for the degree. Students may take up to an additional six credit-hours of graduate coursework in an effort to raise the cumulative grade-point average to 3.00. Students who repeat a course to raise their grade must count the repetition toward the maximum of six additional hours. All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within six calendar years.
M.B.A. Program Academic Dismissal. For students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program, the following academic standards apply.
Grade Policies
1. An M.B.A. student must have a 3.00 grade-point average on all courses taken in the 38-hour program to be eligible for graduation. Classes taken either in residence or administered from the Fayetteville campus will be used to calculate a student’s grade-point average.
2. At least 75 percent of the credit hours from all courses taken in the M.B.A. program, either in residence or administered from the Fayetteville campus, must be an “A” or a “B” prior to graduation. A student may take up to six additional credit hours (up to 44 hours, total) to meet the 75 percent rule.
3. “D” and “F” grades will not apply toward satisfying course requirements for graduation but will be included in grade-point calculations.
Probation and Dismissal Policies
1. A grade of “D” in a core course (MBAD 5013, MBAD 5023, MBAD 5112, MBAD 5122, MBAD 5132, MBAD 5212, MBAD 5222, MBAD 5232, or MBAD 5313) or an “F” in any course will result in a student’s dismissal from the program, regardless of his/her grade-point average.
2. A student with the following grade-point averages will be placed on probation:
a. Lower than or equal to 2.50 after six hours (Foundations module).
b. Lower than or equal to 2.88 after 18 hours (Module 2)
c. Lower than or equal to 3.00 after 30 hours
3. A student on probation who does not raise his/her grade-point average to the following levels will be dismissed from the program:
a. 2.75 after 12 hours (Module 1)
b. 2.94 after 18 hours (Module 2)
c. 3.0 after 30 hours
4. A student whose grade-point average falls below 2.85 is not eligible to remain on an assistantship.
ANNUAL NOTICE OF STUDENT RIGHTS
UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)
The Graduate School of Business adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which affords students certain rights with respect to their education records, described on page 30.
ANNUAL GRADUATE STUDENT ACADEMIC REVIEW
The Graduate School of Business implements the Graduate Council policy that any student whose program lasts more than three semesters will be reviewed annually by his/her degree program for progress toward the degree. At a minimum, the review will cover progress in the following: a) in completing courses with an adequate grade-point average; b) in completing the thesis/dissertation/project requirements; c) in completing all of the required examinations; d) toward completing other requirements for the degree. When the review of each student is completed, the review form will be signed by the graduate student and the department/program head/chair, as well as other appropriate individuals as designated in the program review policy. This review will be forwarded to the Graduate School, to be included in the student’s file.
ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION
Application for graduation must be completed in the Graduate Dean’s office, filed with the Registrar, and fees paid for the semester in which degree requirements will be completed and graduation effected. If a student fails to complete the degree, the student must then renew the application and pay a renewal fee.
The Graduate School of Business adheres to the residency requirements established by the Graduate School as described in the chapter on Objectives, Regulations and Degrees.
GRADUATE STUDENT GRIEVANCE
The Graduate School of Business of the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration recognizes that there may be occasions when a graduate student has a grievance about some aspect of his/her academic involvement. It is an objective of the University of Arkansas that a graduate student may have prompt and formal resolution of his/her academic grievances and that this be accomplished according to orderly procedures. Below are the procedures to be used when a graduate student has an academic grievance with a faculty member or administrator. If the student has a grievance against another student or another employee of the University, or if the student has a grievance that is not academic in nature, the appropriate policy may be found by contacting the Office of Affirmative Action or the Office of the Dean.
Definition of Terms
Graduate Student. Under this procedure, a graduate student is any person who has been formally admitted to the Graduate School of Business of the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and who is/was enrolled as a graduate-level student at the time the alleged grievance occurred. (Note: Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration or in Economics should follow the grievance policy of the Graduate School.)
Academic Grievance. An academic grievance is a dispute concerning some aspect of academic involvement arising from an administrative or faculty decision which the graduate student claims is unjust or is in violation of his/her rights. Any behavior on the part of a faculty member or administrator, which the student believes to have interfered with his/her academic progress, is subject to a grievance. While a complete enumeration of the student’s rights with regard to academic involvement is not possible or desirable, we have provided a short list as illustration. However, as in all cases involving individual rights, whether a specific behavior constitutes a violation of these rights can only be decided in context, following a review by a panel of those given the authority to make such a decision.
In general, the graduate student:
1) has the right to competent instruction;
2) is entitled to have access to the instructor at hours other than class times (office hours);
3) is entitled to know the grading system by which he/she will be judged;
4) has the right to evaluate each course and instructor;
5) has the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
In addition, an academic grievance may include alleged violations of the affirmative action plans of the University related to academic policies and regulations, as well as disputes over grades, graduate assistantship employment agreements, course requirements, graduate/degree program requirements, thesis advisory committee composition, and/or advisor decisions.
Formal Academic Grievance. An academic grievance is considered formal when the student notifies the Dean of the Walton College, in writing, that he/she is proceeding with such a grievance. The implications of this declaration are: 1) all correspondence pertaining to any aspect of the grievance will be in writing and will be made available to the Dean and his/her designee; 2) all documents relevant to the case, including minutes from all relevant meetings, will be part of the complete written record and will be forwarded to the Dean and his/her designee upon receipt by any party to the grievance; 3) the policy contained herein will be strictly followed; and 4) any member of the academic community who does not follow the grievance policy will be subject to disciplinary actions. Filing a formal academic grievance is a serious matter, and the student is strongly encouraged to seek informal resolution of his/her concerns before taking such a step.
Complete Written Record. The “complete written record” refers to all documents submitted as evidence by any party to the complaint, as subject to applicable privacy considerations. (Note: Because the tape recordings of committee meetings may contain sensitive information, including private information pertaining to other students, the tape or verbatim transcription of the tape will not be part of the complete written record. However, general minutes of the meetings, documenting the action taken by the committees, will be part of the record.)
Working Days. Working days shall refer to Monday through Friday, excluding official University holidays.
Procedures
1. Individuals should attempt to resolve claimed grievances first with the person(s) involved, within the department or program, and wherever possible, without resort to formal grievance procedures. The graduate student should first discuss the matter with the faculty member or administrator involved, with the faculty member’s chairperson or degree program coordinator, or with the Walton College Dean or his/her designee. The student’s questions may be answered satisfactorily during this discussion. If the grievance is with the departmental chairperson or program coordinator, the student may choose to meet with the Walton College Dean or his/her designee for a possible informal resolution of the matter.
2. If a student chooses to file a formal academic grievance, the following procedures are to be followed. The students in the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program shall take the appeal in written form to the M.B.A. Program Director. Students in the departmentally based masters programs (M.Acc., M.A.Econ., M.I.S., and M.T.L.M.) shall take the written appeal to the appropriate departmental chairperson. The student shall forward a copy of the written appeal to the Walton College Dean or his/her designee. In the case of a grievance against a departmental chairperson, the M.B.A. Program Director or an administrator who does not report directly to a departmental chairperson, the student will go directly to the Walton College Dean or his/her designee. The appropriate person to receive the written appeal will be referred to as the initial appellate authority. In any case, the Walton College Dean or his/her designee must be notified of the grievance. After discussion between the initial appellate authority (i.e. chairperson/M.B.A. Program Director/Dean and his/her designee) and all parties to the grievance, option 2a, 2b, or 3 may be chosen.
a. All parties involved may agree that the grievance can be resolved by a recommendation of the initial appellate authority. In this case, the initial appellate authority will forward a written recommendation to all parties involved in the grievance within 20 working days after receipt of the written grievance. The initial appellate authority is at liberty to use any appropriate method of investigation, including personal interviews and/or referral to an appropriate departmental or program committee for recommendation.
b. Alternatively, any party to the grievance may request that the initial appellate authority at once refer the request, together with all statements, documents, and information gathered in his or her investigation, to the applicable reviewing body. For the M.B.A. Program the applicable reviewing body is the M.B.A. Advisory Committee; for other masters programs it is the relevant program advisory committee. The reviewing body shall, within ten working days from the time its chairperson received the request for consideration, present to the initial appellate authority its written recommendations concerning resolution of the grievance. Within ten working days after receiving these recommendations, the initial appellate authority shall provide all parties to the dispute with copies of the reviewing body’s recommendation and his or her consequent written decision on the matter.
3. If the grievance is not resolved by the procedure outlined in item 2, or if any party to the grievance chooses not to proceed as suggested in item 2, he/she will appeal directly to the Dean of the Walton College or his designee. Whenever a grievance comes to the attention of the Dean, either as a result of a direct appeal or when a grievance has not been resolved satisfactorily at the departmental/program level, the Dean and his/her designee will consult with the person alleging the grievance. If that person decides to continue the formal grievance procedure, the Dean will notify all parties named in the grievance and the relevant program administrator (i.e. departmental chairperson or the M.B.A. Program Director), that a formal grievance has been filed. Within ten working days, the Dean and his/her designee will:
a. with the consent of the student, appoint a faculty member as the student’s advocate, and
b. appoint an ad hoc committee of five faculty members and two graduate students, chosen to avoid obvious bias or partiality, to review the grievance and report to him/her. The Walton College Dean or his/her designee will serve as the chair of the grievance committee and will vote only in the case of a tie. A voting member of the Graduate School of Business Masters Program Committee will serve as the non-voting secretary of the committee.
The committee shall have access to witnesses and records, may take testimony, and may make a record by taping the hearing. Its charge is to develop all pertinent factual information (with the exception that the student and faculty member/administrator will not be required to be present in any meeting together without first agreeing to do so) and, on the basis of this information, to make a recommendation to the Walton College Dean to either support or reject the appeal. The Dean will then make a decision based on the committee’s recommendation and all other documents submitted by the parties involved. The Dean’s decision, the committee’s written recommendation and a copy of its complete written record (excluding those in which other students have a privacy interest) shall be forwarded to the person(s) making the appeal within 20 working days from the date the committee was first convened; copies shall be sent simultaneously to other parties involved in the grievance. The Graduate School of Business, in such a way that the student’s privacy is protected, shall retain a copy.
4. Within ten working days of the receipt of the Walton College Dean’s decision, any party to the grievance may appeal to the Dean of the University of Arkansas Graduate School as described in step 3 of the procedures of Academic Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students in the Graduate School.
5. When, and only when, the grievance concerns a course grade and the committee’s recommendation is that the grade assigned by the instructor should be changed, the following procedure applies. The committee’s recommendation that the grade should be changed shall be accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons for that recommendation and by a request that the instructor change the grade. If the instructor declines, he/she shall provide a written explanation for refusing. The committee, after considering the instructor’s explanation and upon concluding that it would be unjust to allow the original grade to stand, may then recommend to the department chair that the grade be changed. The department chair will provide the instructor with a copy of the recommendation and ask the instructor to change the grade. If the instructor continues to decline, the department chair may change the grade, notifying the instructor, the Walton College Dean or his/her designee, and the student of the action. Only the department chair, and only on recommendation of the committee, may change a grade over the objection of the instructor who assigned the original grade. For courses with a specific M.B.A. program designation (MBAD course number prefix) the Walton College Dean or his/her designee shall fulfill the department chair responsibilities described in this section. No appeal or further review is allowed from this action. All grievances concerning course grades must be filed within one calendar year of receiving that grade.
6. The Master of Arts in Economics is the only Graduate School of Business program with a thesis option. When, and only when, a student in that program brings a grievance concerning the composition of his/her thesis committee, the following procedure will apply. The Walton College Dean or his/her designee shall meet with the graduate student and the faculty member named in the grievance, and shall consult the chair of the committee, the department chairperson, and/or the program coordinator for their recommendations. In unusual circumstances, the Dean and his/her designee may remove a faculty member from a student’s thesis committee or make an alternative arrangement. With regard to the chair of the thesis committee, this is a mutual agreement between the faculty member and the student to work cooperatively on a research project of shared interest. Either the graduate student or the faculty member may dissolve this relationship by notifying the other party, the departmental chairperson, and the Walton College Dean or his/her designee. However, the student and the advisor should be warned that this may require that all data gathered for the thesis be abandoned and a new research project undertaken with a new faculty advisor.
7. If a grievance, other than those covered by step 5, is not satisfactorily resolved through steps 1 through 4 or 6, an appeal in writing and with all relevant material may be submitted for consideration and a joint decision by the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This appeal must be filed within 20 working days of receiving the decision of the Dean of the University of Arkansas Graduate School. Any appeal at this level shall be on the basis of the complete written record only, and will not involve interviews with any party to the grievance. The Chancellor of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall make a decision on the matter within 20 working days from the receipt of the appeal. Their decision shall be forwarded in writing to the same persons receiving such a decision in step 4. Their decision is final pursuant to the delegated authority of the Board of Trustees.
8. If any party to the grievance violates this policy, he/she will be subject to disciplinary action. When alleging such a violation, the aggrieved individual shall contact the Walton College Dean in writing, with an explanation of the violation.
GRADUATE ASSISTANT GRIEVANCE
It is the philosophy of the Graduate School that assistantships are not typical employee positions of the University. This has two implications. First, the sponsor should also serve as a mentor to the student and assist, to the extent possible, in facilitating the student’s progress toward his/her degree. Second, any questions concerning performance in or requirements of assistantships shall be directed to the Graduate School or, for master’s students in business, to the Graduate School of Business. (Note: the term graduate assistant will be used to refer to those on other types of appointments as well, such as fellowships, clerkships, etc.)
The Graduate School has the following authority with regard to graduate assistantships:
1. All requests for new positions, regardless of the source of the funds, must be approved by the Graduate School. When the position is approved, the requesting department or faculty member must complete the form, “Request for a New Graduate Assistant Position” and submit it to the Graduate School. All proposed changes in duties for existing graduate assistantships must be approved by the Graduate School prior to their implementation.
2. The duty requirements of the graduate assistantship, including the number of hours required, must be approved by the Graduate School. Fifty percent graduate assistants may not be asked to work more than 20 hours per week (Note: this is not limited to time actually spent in the classroom or lab; the 20 hour requirement also pertains to time required to grade/compute results, develop class/lab materials, etc. Moreover, students cannot be asked to work an average of 20 hours per week, with 30 hours one week and 10 hours the next, for example. The duty hour requirement is no more than 20 hours per week for a 50 percent appointment. See the Graduate Handbook. However, it should also be noted that if the student is engaged in research which will be used in his/her required project, thesis, or dissertation, or if the student is traveling to professional meetings, data sources, etc., the student may work more than 20 hours per week.) The duty requirements must complement the degree program of the graduate student and must abide by the philosophy that the first priority of graduate students is to finish their degrees.
3. The Graduate School, in consultation with the Graduate Council, has the right to set the enrollment requirements for full-time status for graduate assistants.
4. The Graduate School sets the minimum stipend for graduate assistantships, but does not have responsibility for setting the actual stipend. Graduate assistants will be provided with a written statement of the expected duties for their positions, consistent with the duties outlined in the “Request for New Graduate Assistant Position” or any amendments submitted to the Graduate School. A copy of the written statement will be submitted to the Graduate School of Business for inclusion in the student’s file. Graduate assistants may be terminated from their positions at any time or dismissed for cause under the procedures of Board Policy No. 405.1. Termination is effected through the giving of a notice, in writing, of that action at least 60 days in advance of the date the employment is to cease. A copy of the notice must be sent to the Dean of the Walton College and to the Dean of the Graduate School.
A graduate assistant has the right to request a review of the termination by the Dean, following the procedure given below. However, a student should be warned that if the grounds for dismissal are based on any of the following, the only defense to the termination is evidence to show that the charges are not true:
a. The student fails to meet the expectations of the assistantship positions, as outlined in the initial written statement provided to them at the beginning of the appointment.
b. The student provides fraudulent documentation for admission to their degree program and/or to their sponsor in applying for the assistantship positions.
c. The student fails to meet certain expectations which need not be explicitly stated by the sponsor, such as the expectation that a) the student has the requisite English language skills to adequately perform the duties of the position; b) the student has the appropriate experience and skills to perform the duties of the position; and c) the student maintains the appropriate ethical standards for the position. The Research Misconduct Policy provides one reference source for such ethical standards.
d. The student fails to make good progress toward the degree, as determined by the annual graduate student academic review and defined by program and Graduate School policies.
Definition of Terms
Graduate Assistant. Any graduate student holding a position which requires that the student be admitted to a graduate degree program of the University of Arkansas, regardless of the source of funds, and for whom tuition is paid as a result of that position.
Sponsor. The person responsible for the funding and duty expectations for the graduate assistant.
Formal graduate assistant grievance. Any dispute concerning some aspect of the graduate assistantship, as defined above, which arises from an administrative or faculty decision that the graduate student claims is a violation of his or her rights. The formal graduate assistant grievance does not pertain to cases in which there is a dispute between co-workers
Violation of graduate assistant’s rights. An action is considered a violation of the graduate assistant’s rights if: a) it violates Graduate School policy with regard to graduate assistantships; b) it threatens the integrity of, or otherwise demeans, the graduate student, regardless of any other consideration; c) it illegally discriminates or asks the graduate assistant to discriminate; d) it requires the student to do something which was not communicated as a condition of holding the assistantship (or the underlying expectations outlined above); e) it terminates the student from an assistantship for behaviors which are irrelevant to the holding of the assistantship or were never included as expectations for the assistantship; f) it requires the student to do something which violates University policy, the law, or professional ethics. Note: It is impossible to state all of the conditions which might constitute a violation of graduate assistants’ rights or, conversely, which might defend a respondent against charges of such violations. Such complaints require a process of information gathering and discussion that lead to a final resolution of the matter by those who have been given the authority to do so.
Formal grievance. A grievance concerning graduate assistantships/fellowships is considered formal when the student notifies the Dean of the Walton College, in writing, that he/she is proceeding with such a grievance. The implications of this declaration are: a) the student will be provided with an advocate; b) all correspondence pertaining to any aspect of the grievance will be in writing, and will be made available to the Dean; c) all documents relevant to the case, including minutes from all relevant meetings, will be part of the complete written record, and will be forwarded to the Dean upon receipt by any party to the grievance; d) the policy contained herein will be strictly followed; and e) any member of the academic community who does not follow the grievance policy will be subject to disciplinary actions. Filing a formal grievance is a serious matter, and the student is strongly encouraged to seek informal resolution of his/her concerns before taking such a step.
Respondent. The person who is the object of the grievance.
Procedures
Note: Grievances are confidential. Information about the grievance, including the fact that such a grievance has been filed, may never be made public to those who are not immediately involved in the resolution of the case, unless the student has authorized this release of information or has instigated a course of action which requires the respondent to respond. An exception to this confidentiality requirement is that the immediate supervisor or departmental chairperson of the respondent will be notified and will receive a copy of the resolution of the case. Since grievances against a respondent also have the potential to harm that person’s reputation, students may not disclose information about the grievance, including the fact that they have filed a grievance, to any person not immediately involved in the resolution of the case, until the matter has been finally resolved. This is not intended to preclude the student or respondent from seeking legal advice.
1. When a graduate student believes that his/her rights have been violated, as the result of action(s) pertaining to a graduate assistantship he/she holds or has held within the past year, the student shall first discuss his/her concerns with the respondent. If the concerns are not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may discuss it with the Dean of the Walton College or his/her designee, and/or with the Office of Affirmative Action. If the concerns are satisfactorily resolved by any of the above discussions, the terms of the resolution shall be reduced to writing, if any of the involved parties desires to have such a written statement.
2. If the student’s concerns are not resolved by the above discussions, and he/she chooses to pursue the matter further, the student shall notify the Dean of the Walton College in writing of the nature of the complaint. This notification will include all relevant documentation and must occur within one year from the date of the occurrence. The Dean of the Walton College will inform the Graduate Dean that a grievance has been filed and will, upon request, forward the written complaint and all relevant documentation to the Graduate Dean.
3. Upon receipt of this notification and supporting documentation, the Dean of the Walton College or the Dean’s designee will meet with the graduate student. If the student agrees, the Dean or the Dean’s designee will notify the respondent of the student’s concerns. If the student does not wish for the respondent to be notified, the matter will be dropped. The respondent will be given ten working days from receipt of the Dean’s notification to respond to the concerns.
4. The Dean or the Dean’s designee will meet again with the student and make an effort to resolve the concerns in a mutually satisfactory manner. If this is not possible, the Dean will refer the case to a committee.
5. Within ten working days from the final meeting between the student and the Dean, the Dean will notify the respondent and will appoint an ad hoc committee of five faculty members and two graduate students chosen to avoid bias or partiality. The Associate Dean of the Walton College or the Dean’s designee will serve as the chair of the grievance committee and will vote only in the case of a tie. A voting member of the Walton College Masters Advisory Committee will serve as the non-voting secretary of the committee. At this time, the Dean will also assign an advocate to the student. The advocate must be a member of the graduate faculty. The immediate supervisor of the respondent will serve as his/her advocate. Note: The student and respondent advocates will have the responsibility to help the student/respondent prepare his/her written materials and will attend committee meetings with the student/respondent. The advocate will not speak on behalf of the student/respondent and will not take part in committee discussions of the merits of the case.
6. The committee shall have access to witnesses and records, may take testimony, and may make a record by taping the hearing. Its charge is to develop all pertinent factual information (with the exception that the student and respondent will not be required to be present in any meeting together without first agreeing to do so) and, on the basis of this information, to make a recommendation to the Dean of the Walton College either to support or reject the grievance. The Dean will then make a decision based on the committee’s recommendation and all documents submitted by the parties involved. The Dean’s decision, the committee’s written recommendation, and a copy of all documents submitted as evidence by any party to the complaint, consistent with all privacy considerations, shall be forwarded to the person(s) alleging the grievance within 20 working days from the date the committee was first convened; copies shall be sent simultaneously to other parties involved in the grievance. A copy shall be retained by the Graduate School of Business in such a way that the student’s and respondent’s privacy is protected.
7. If the decision of the Dean of the Walton College is that the student’s concerns should be addressed, the respondent may appeal to the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University, as outlined below in step 10. It should be noted that the Graduate Dean has limited authority to require a sponsor to reappoint a graduate assistant. Consequently, the redress open to the student may be limited.
8. If the decision of the Dean is that the student’s concerns should not be addressed, the student may appeal to the Graduate Dean, as outlined below in step 9.
9. If the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved through step 6, an appeal in writing and with all relevant material may be submitted for consideration to the Graduate Dean. This appeal must be filed within 20 working days of receiving the decision of the Dean of the Walton College. Any appeal at this level shall be on the basis of the complete written record and may involve interviews with any party to the grievance. The Graduate Dean shall make a decision on the matter within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the appeal. His/her decision shall be forwarded in writing to the Walton College Dean, the student, and the respondent.
10. Either party to the grievance may appeal the decision of the Graduate Dean by appealing to the Provost of the University of Arkansas. The appeal must be submitted in writing and with all relevant material attached. This appeal must be filed within 20 working days of receiving the decision of the Graduate Dean. Any appeal at this level shall be on the basis of the complete written record only and will not involve interviews with any party to the grievance. The Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall make a decision on the matter within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the appeal. His/her decision shall be forwarded in writing to the Graduate Dean, the Dean of the Walton College, the student and the respondent. This decision is final.
11. If any party to the grievance violates this policy, he/she will be subject to either losing the assistantship position or losing the assistantship. When alleging such a violation, the aggrieved individual shall contact the Walton College Dean or the Graduate Dean, in writing, with an explanation of the violation.
The faculty of the Graduate School, under the authorization of the Board of Trustees, grants the following degrees offered by the Graduate School of Business. The graduate faculty, as represented by the Dean of the Graduate School and through the Graduate Council, has primary responsibility for the development, operating policies, administration, and quality of these programs. Operating through the Graduate Dean, the faculty appoints committees that directly supervise the student’s program of study and committees, which, in turn, monitor research activities and approve theses and dissertations.
Doctor of Philosophy
Ph.D. in Economics
Ph.D. in Business Administration
Concentration Areas:
Accounting
Information Systems
Finance
Management
Marketing and Transportation
Master of Accountancy
Master of Arts in Economics
Master of Business Administration
Master of Information Systems
Master of Transportation and Logistics Management
DEPARTMENTS AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Accounting
Business Administration
Economics
Finance
Information Systems
Management
Marketing and Logistics |
