We want all graduate students to feel at home at Penn State. The Graduate School is dedicated to making sure that our students’ educational goals are being met. Penn State makes it a priority to establish fair and effective policies and processes to resolve graduate students’ grievances.
If a problem arises between a graduate student and a faculty member, fellow student, or adviser, we encourage the parties to first seek to resolve the problem with their adviser or within their graduate program.
Conflict Resolution Pathway
Students are encouraged to reach out to the following individuals or offices to request assistance with resolving conflicts. Students are also encouraged to contact the Graduate Student Ombudsperson Program for assistance with navigating potential conflicts.
Your Adviser
Head of Your Graduate Program/Department
Administrator for Graduate Education in Your College or Campus
Graduate School’s Office of Graduate Student Affairs
Resources for Addressing Conflicts
University Police and Public Safety
Serves and protects the community with respect, professionalism, and accountability while striving for excellence.
Title IX: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Support for those who may have been impacted by incidents of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct and may provide various resources and support services to individuals who have experienced one of these incidents.
Student Accountability and Conflict Response
Works to uphold community and University standards through compassionate interventions in which students are heard, respected, and treated with dignity.
Reporting Bias
Provides a form for students, faculty, staff, and others to report acts of bias that occur at Penn State.
Office for Research Protections
Penn State’s home for research ethics and compliance that partners with researchers to maintain the integrity of Penn State research.
Graduate School Ombudsperson Program
Faculty members who provide guidance for navigating interpersonal and academic-related conflicts.
Equal Opportunity and Access
Supports Penn State’s strategic goals of advancing a diverse and inclusive community by providing expert advice and leadership to colleges, campuses, and all non-academic units, to promote an environment free from discrimination and harassment.
Behavioral Threat Management
Provides education around risky or threatening behavior and how to report and respond to them, and manages incidents and processes related to threat analysis.
Other Questions
For any questions, comments, or concerns, we encourage our graduate students to contact the Graduate School at graddeansoffice@psu.edu so that we can continue to find innovative ways to improve student life and cultivate intellectual growth.