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Issue Addressed The
department intends to address the lack of formal evaluation after the
first year. In the past, the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) would
compose impersonal evaluation letters to students at the end of their
first year. Often students did not receive sufficient feedback in order
to make improvements in performance (if needed). This innovation will
enhance communication between faculty and student as well as
communicate requirements and expectations in a more formal manner.
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Issues The
department knows this is an issue because students have noted a lack of
feedback throughout their graduate career in CID interviews and are
often unaware of expectations and requirements. Time to prelims is
another concern.
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Change or Innovation A
formal first year interview will be conducted by the DGS and the
student's potential advisor in the fall of the second year. After this
interview, a letter will be composed to the student summarizing the
conversation.
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Reasons for Approach The
department selected this approach in order to expand on the existing
model, which consists of only a letter from the DGS, not allowing the
chance of a two-way dialogue between student and faculty on
performance.
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Intended Effect The
intended effect of the innovation is improved student performance,
better communication between faculty and student, and clarification of
expectations. It is hoped this new element will lead to a completed
Ph.D. plan at the end of their second year as well as spur further
reviews, possibly every year in order to review research progress at
the ABD stage.
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Data or Evidence Faculty
and student feedback, improved student performance, and quicker
progress through the program will demonstrate the effect of this
innovation.
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