Appropriate Treatment in Graduate Education
Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) in the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine is committed to a work environment that is professional, collegial, supportive of all personnel, and conducive to providing the best possible teaching, training and research. GMS places a very high priority on maintaining a work environment for staff, trainees, and faculty characterized by generosity, integrity, constructive interactions, mentoring, and respect for differences among members of our community. All faculty, staff and students are also expected to model the behavioral attributes of responsibility, empathy, service excellence, problem solving and continuous improvement, efficiency, cultural humility and teamwork. Students are expected to embody these characteristics in the pursuit of continuous personal and professional growth and aspire to sustain the highest level of ethical and moral standards and academic excellence. These standards are exemplified in the GMS Student Code of Conduct and the Academic Conduct Code & Procedures.
To ensure a supportive learning environment for its masters, PhD and post-doctoral trainees, Graduate Medical Sciences established the Appropriate Treatment in Graduate Education (ATGE) reporting form.
Students may view the form here and learn how complaints are reviewed and processed before submitting the ATGE online form below. Complaints of mistreatment to GMS can be submitted named or be made anonymously.
NOTE: This process does not apply to complaints relating to sexual misconduct, violence or discrimination. These are addressed by other university policies including the Equal Opportunity Office and Title IX policies and are investigated by other University offices. Submitting a complaint to the GMS Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Gwynneth Offner (goffner@bu.edu / 617-358-9541), requires immediate and mandatory reporting. Dr. Karen Symes serves as a second Deputy for GMS (symes@bu.edu)
Conflict Response Process
The ATGE form allows you to describe the situation and the people involved. The form is received in the GMS office by Leadership, including: the GMS Associate Provost, the Assistant Dean of Operations and the Assistant Dean of Master’s Programs. GMS Leadership will meet with the student initially to determine next steps, and if the DEI Office should be contacted. The entire process will be kept confidential. You can also reach out to any member of GMS Leadership directly in person, by phone or by email (contacts below) to ensure a timely response if you prefer not to complete the ATGE form.
GMS community members are encouraged to reach out to their supervisor, mentor, advisor, dean, program director, chair, clinical coordinator or trusted colleague for resolution of conflicts regarding unprofessional behavior or mistreatment in the workplace, laboratory, classroom or clinic. Keep in mind, this process is not intended for complaints around academic issues, such as grading, unless it relates to unprofessional conduct or deliberate obstruction to learning opportunities.
You may submit the ATGE form anonymously. We encourage you to consider that anonymity will prevent us from directly reaching out to you for further questions or to provide assistance and/or support.
Response Following Submission of the ATGE Form
An Appropriate Treatment in Graduate Education Committee will be convened at the request of the GMS Associate Provost within 2 days of receiving a complaint of mistreatment. It will include the GMS Associate Provost, the Assistant Dean of Operation and the Assistant Dean of Master’s Programs. As needed, other members will be contacted as relevant to the situation. These members may include dissertation advisory committee members, clinical coordinator, GMS program director, relevant department chair, legal counsel, Associate Dean of Diversity, Ombuds officer, and/or other university leadership as the situation warrants. The committee will respond to, investigate, document and act upon all complaints received. These processes are intended to ensure GMS community member concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly while also maintaining confidentiality.
Appropriate Treatment in Graduate Education Reporting Form
Please do not use this form for Title IX issues.
Contacts
- GMS Associate Provost/Dean C. James McKnight, PhD at cjmck@bu.edu
- GMS Assistant Dean Gregory Viglianti, PhD at gviglian@bu.edu
- GMS Assistant Dean Theresa A. Davies, PhD at tdavies@bu.edu
- GMS Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Gwynneth Offner goffner@bu.edu
- Academic Misconduct, Academic Misconduct Committee Chair, Dr. Benjamin Wolozin bwolozin@bu.edu
- Chobanian & Avedisian SOM, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion Dr. Angelique C. Harris, busmdeia@bu.edu
- Medical students Reporting Unprofessional at Behavior Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Disability Services Issues, Dr. Theresa Davies, GMS Disabilities Liaison, tdavies@bu.edu or BU DAS access@bu.edu