Graduate Students Left with No Response from Provost, Still Unsatisfied

The lack of funding, adequate communication, graduate advisors, and a proactive chair has the graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences political science department frustrated and fed up.

In early October, the Graduate Political Science Association (GPSA) presented their executive summary of complaints and demands to Dr. James Wyche, provost and chief academic officer, with the hope that something would be done to improve their department. However, the 10-business day deadline set to receive a response has passed and there has been no word from the provost.

"I'm disappointed that we have yet to receive a response. It's as if he doesn't take our issues seriously and it's even more disappointing because the faculty said they expected that response," said Anta Sane, second vice-president for GPSA.

In the meeting on Oct. 4, the Advocacy in Action committee, a committee established by the students in GPSA to handle the concerns of the students, presented a PowerPoint presentation consisting of three categories: background and research, issues and recommendations.

Dainia Lawes, GPSA program chair, presented the background and research of issues of the department, making note of all the meetings with the department chair and dean, discussion groups and surveys conducted. One quote from the survey conducted in August of 2011 said, "The department lacks clear communication." The results of the survey show that more than half of the graduate students in the department have experienced issues with communication, advising, financial aid, and the scheduling of courses. This ultimately resulted in a passed vote of no confidence in the department chair.

Jennifer Felder, a member of the advocacy committee, pointed out that there has been a failure to send out notifications to students; the lack of advisors assignments makes completing a dissertation complicated; the criteria for funding and fellowships is unclear;the department is widely understaffed; and there is a lack of a graduate director.

"Some of these issues we be avoided if we had a graduate director, they are the individuals who inform us on the criteria for funding and ensure we get timely notifications, but we don't have one, so we aren't getting that," said Lisa K. Brown, president of GPSA.

Among the administrative recommendations to fix the department were ensuring that timely notifications were sent out for all graduate students, an updated website including forms and deadlines, assigned advisors by discipline area to all graduate students, a rubric that details the requirements for student funding, and an increase in faculty. The advocacy group also suggested having a required one-credit orientation class and required course evaluations so the students know what to expect. When asked who has had course evaluations, only five students raised their hands.

After listening to the issues of the department and concerns of the students, the provost then agreed that the graduate political science department was in trouble.

"It is not the failure of the students but of the faculty that serves you and we have to change that," Wyche said.

He acknowledged that there is a need for new faculty and new resources. He also mentioned that he currently has someone looking for graduate stipends, but he did not disclose a name.

In he midst of the provost's response, several students in attendance spoke up about their personal feelings and lack of confidence in the department. One student said he came to the department in 2004 with a plan, and, while he had other responsibilities, when he returned, things were hectic.

Fourth-year doctoral student, Monique A. Gamble, doesn't feel that the department is holding her back, but things are difficult.

"I'm a Ph.D student, and one has to be endowed with a certain measure of strength and patience to successfully navigate whatever difficulties come along the way. However, a dysfunctional department does make it difficult in unnecessary ways. For example, students shouldn't have to reach out to professors and only hope to receive a response. We shouldn't have to search high and low for faculty members to serve on our committees," Gamble said.

Students also pointed out that the majority of them turn to faculty members to be their advisors.

"Without an advisor we have no point of contact, we don't know the rules and regulations of our study, and there is no preparation of help with our dissertation," Brown said.

With no response from the provost, the GPSA is taking their efforts forward in hopes of meeting with Howard University President Sidney Ribeau.

"We aren't the only department having these problems. Other departments in the social sciences are also having their issues, but our department is the worst and we are striving to fix it," Brown said.