Graduate Student Responsibilities
To receive a graduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, graduate students must meet:
- all requirements of the department, school, faculty or university college in which they are registered;
- all regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies;
- all financial obligations to the university.
Students who register in graduate programs should be committed to attaining the highest levels of academic success. As such, the principal responsibility of graduate students is to meet academic program requirements in a manner consistent with their registration status and their program's expected time-to-completion.
Research-based graduate students must develop a major research paper (MRP), thesis, or dissertation reflective of their own work. The MRP/thesis/dissertation must demonstrate the graduate student's ability for independent work within the area of study, as well as meet the academic standards of the program.
If students have questions, concerns or problems, the normal channel of communication is to discuss the matter with the research advisor (or course instructor, where applicable). If the matter is not resolved, then the next step is to meet with the graduate coordinator/officer/director to seek a resolution, then if not resolved, the Department Chair, then if not resolved, the Dean of the academic unit. Should the issue be non-academic in nature, the Office of Human Rights and Dispute Resolution may also be consulted at any stage. Finally, the problem or concern can be discussed with the AVP/Dean or Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Students are encouraged to review the process for academic appeals. Complete information regarding eligible appeals and procedures may be obtained from the university Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.
Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students should read the Graduate Calendar each year in order to understand and comply with all regulations pertaining to registration, the adding and dropping of courses, residence requirements, degree program requirements, the deadlines for the completion of course work, and the deadlines and procedures for thesis and comprehensive examinations. Students should read and pay special attention to all the statements, guidelines and policies of the University as outlined in the Graduate Calendar. To ensure that students receive accurate and official interpretations of regulations, or information about program requirements, all questions should be addressed to the graduate co-ordinator in the home department, school or faculty. In addition to the general rules of the university, some academic units may have additional requirements or rules that must be fulfilled. The dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies must approve, in writing, any exceptions to a regulation.
Graduate students must keep a record of their research and be fully accountable for demonstrating the authenticity of their work. Graduate students have ultimate responsibility for content produced by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) that forms any part of their MRP/thesis/dissertation and other degree requirements. Graduate students should be able to explain all content submitted as part of their academic program. The inability to do so may reflect an academic integrity violation. Graduate students must have endorsement from their advisor(s) and committee for the utilization of generative AI in their research and/or writing. If generative AI tools have been used in the research process, there must be a clear statement in the relevant document of which tools have been used, how they have been used, and why they have been used. For example, a declaration should entail: "During the preparation of this work, the author used [NAME TOOL / SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed and takes full responsibility for the content of the MRP/thesis/dissertation." Refer to guidelines on the use of generative AI in graduate student research.
All raw data collected for any MRP/thesis/dissertation must be made available for evaluation at the request of the advisor of the research project.
Graduate students have a responsibility to maintain regular contact (i.e., at
least monthly at the MRP/thesis/dissertation stage) with
their faculty advisor or MRP/thesis/dissertation advisor.
All individuals participating in university courses must be officially registered in that course in the Student Management System. Students who are not registered but participating in courses are deemed to be in violation of university policy and may be asked to cease participation.
