Students must maintain a satisfactory rate of progress toward the Ph.D. in order to remain in good standing in the program. During the first year, progress is measured by formal course work and the Comprehensive Exams. To remain in good standing, at least six courses must be completed with a grade of HIGH PASS or better, and at least two Comprehensive Exams must be passed.
After the first year, rate of progress is monitored by the student's Supervisory Committee. The Committee looks at grade records, exam results, the 690 Report, and research progress. The Committee is also expected to attend the student's semi-annual OGST's in order to see first-hand how the student is doing. Students beyond the first year receive written annual evaluations of their progress, drafted by the Supervisory Committee. A copy of this evaluation is placed in the student's file. A decision that the student is not making satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D.\ may be made at any time by the Supervisory Committee.
Whenever a student is determined not to be in good standing, either by failing to achieve required milestones or by recommendation of his or her Supervisory Committee, the student and the Faculty will be notified. At the next faculty meeting, all information regarding the student, including course grades, research performance, and performance on exams, will be made available to the Faculty as a whole, which will then determine a course of action for the student. Possibilities at this stage can include continuation in the program with revised expectations, academic probation, or dismissal from the graduate program. The Director of Graduate Studies will inform the student in writing of the Faculty's determination and, in case continuation in the program is permitted, of conditions that must be fulfilled to return to or remain in good standing.
In cases where the sole reason for the student's trouble is apparent inability to do research under the supervision of his or her current Committee, the usual expectation is that a new Committee will be formed and will give him or her an appropriate period of time (a term or a summer) to demonstrate ability to conduct a research project successfully. The Committee will report to the Faculty at the end of this period, so that a new decision can be made.
If the Committee determines that the student has not yet passed one of the designated requirements, then the Committee should report at that time, and as necessary in subsequent terms, on how the student is progressing towards satisfying the requirements, and what its recommendation is. The recommendation can range from ``the student should be terminated'' to ``the student has satisfied all the requirements for admission to Candidacy.'' One possible recommendation is that the student change research area, under the direction of a new Supervisory Committee. This recommendation is not routine, and should not be considered the normal consequence of failing a Comprehensive or Area Exam.
The Supervisory Committee's evaluation is particularly crucial at the end of the second year, when the results of the 690 Project and Area Exam become available. At this time, the Supervisory Committee is expected to report in writing to the Faculty as a whole (as well as to the student) on the student's status. This notification should be given by the middle of May, and a special faculty meeting will be held toward the end of May to act on any recommendations.
A student who fails to give the required Departmental OGST in one year will not be permitted to register for the following year, except by petition approved by the Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. A student who fails to give the required OGST two years in a row will be brought before the Faculty for possible dismissal from the program. The local OGST is considered equally important but will continue to be regulated by each student's Committee.