Policy Statement
In an effort to help graduate students achieve the highest academic and personal success while in graduate school, the Guarini School has created a transitional support program for graduate students at Dartmouth who need to change research advisors or groups.
This program is designed to support students who find themselves in unhealthy situations, and who have exhausted other mechanisms of mediation, to transition to a new research supervisor without worry of financial burden or fear of retaliation. This transitional support provides student autonomy over decisions that will impact their health and wellbeing, research progress and productivity, and future career.
We encourage students who feel it is necessary to change research supervisors to meet with a Assistant Dean from the Guarini School to discuss their options, and the Guarini School can work with programs on mediation, and, if necessary, transition.
Transitional Support
- The Guarini School will provide advisor-independent funding for one full term for PhD students who, after consultation, decide they need to transition to another research group.
- Additional funding beyond the semester may be needed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by mutual agreement between the student, the program, and the Guarini School.
- Students considering transitional support should first meet with a Guarini Assistant Dean. The assistant deanshould perform an initial intake assessment to learn more about their situation and discuss all options (e.g. mediation, medical leave, moving beyond Dartmouth, etc.). The Assistant Dean will review the student's situation and make a recommendation to the Dean and the student's Program Director.
- The student's original advisor may ask the student to wrap-up/hand-off their duties (i.e., train new students, finalize/compile data and other materials, etc.). In cases where the student does not agree to the terms of the requested wrap-up/hand-off duties, the Program and the Guarini School will work with the student and advisor (separately if the student wishes) to facilitate an equitable agreement.
- If a student finds a new research advisor prior to the end of the term, and support is not immediately available from the new advisor, the student can continue to be funded by the transitional funding through the remainder of the term.
- If a student transitions groups between Dartmouth Graduate Programs, the Programs should collaborate to ensure a smooth transition for the student. Of course, the new home department may have additional requirements for acceptance, prerequisite and degree requirements, and rules with respect to terms of student supervision and guaranteed funding.