Weill Cornell Graduate School (WCGS) (referred to subsequently as “the Graduate School”) has a Positive Learning Environment and Student Mistreatment Policy, the purpose of which is to ensure an educational environment conducive for learning, define mistreatment of students, and describe the process of reporting, monitoring, and responding in the event mistreatment should occur.
Students or others who wish to discuss and/or report mistreatment to the TLC may contact the TLC at the designated email: WCGSTLC@med.cornell.edu to initiate a dialogue with the committee or to specify that they prefer to speak with a specific TLC member. Alternatively, students may contact a member of the committee directly by email or phone.
TRAINING and LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Graduate School is committed to providing an environment that fosters mutual respect and the values of professionalism, ethics, and humanism in the practice of biomedical research and its application to medicine. The Graduate School has a policy of zero tolerance for mistreatment of its students, faculty, staff and guests. An environment conducive to learning requires that faculty, students and all administrative and support staff treat each other with civility, respecting each individual’s views and background. Faculty, other trainees, administrators and staff must treat students fairly and respectfully in all settings where students are educated and are expected to create and maintain an academic environment conducive to the pursuit of free inquiry, academic integrity, and the respectful interchange of diverse ideas and differing viewpoints. The standards of conduct set forth below are intended to prohibit teaching and training behaviors and other practices that are discriminatory or that may undermine professionalism. The body charged with monitoring, reviewing, investigating and aiding in the resolution of mistreatment issues is the Trainer-Learner Committee (TLC), whose purview, composition and functions are described below.
The Dean of WCGS, as the designee of the Dean of the Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) & Provost of Medical Affairs, Cornell University, working with the Director of the Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI), Graduate School Associate and Assistant Deans, Department and Program Chairs and other appropriate WCM and SKI officials, has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment.
By the implementation of this policy, students and other persons reporting mistreatment to the Trainer-Learner Committee are entitled to understand 1) their role in the investigation and resolution process, 2) the extent to which their anonymity may or may not be assured, 3) the timing of the investigative and adjudication processes and, 4) information about how the incident was resolved to the extent permitted by the Graduate School’s Code of Legislation and by local, state, and federal laws.
The Trainer-Learner Committee is available for graduate students in PhD and Master’s Programs, as well as visiting students undertaking PhD and Master’s training.
However, Master’s students in the Physician Assistant Program will direct concerns to the Weill Cornell Medical College Teacher-Learner Committee, which serves a comparable function for students who have significant clinical roles.
TYPE of MISTREATMENT
The Graduate School takes all allegations of mistreatment seriously and encourages students to report any instances or perceived instances of mistreatment. The range of possible mistreatment is wide; persons reporting mistreatment should seek the advice of the TLC members about whether an incident may be considered an instance of mistreatment.
The incidents described below are examples of mistreatment, categorized by type. These examples are not exhaustive, but are intended to provide guidance regarding the types of unacceptable conduct. They are not intended to restrict the Graduate School’s ability to respond to complaints of mistreatment.
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
The TLC is charged with hearing reports of alleged mistreatment and determining if the incident can be classified as a case of mistreatment or perceived mistreatment, and if so, its level. Once a report has been made, for purposes of investigation and adjudication, the TLC will categorize the incident as Level 1, 2, or 3. Level 1 incidents are effectively considered Level 2 if the same individual is reported three times for the same types of behavior despite counseling for each of the two prior incidents.
REPORTING MISTREATMENT
Multiple Avenues for Reporting Mistreatment
Students have multiple ways of reporting mistreatment, including anonymous reporting options.
TRAINER-LEARNER COMMITTEE
COURSE EVALUATIONS
TITLE IX COORDINATOR
FACULTY, LEADERSHIP and STAFF
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Who May Report Mistreatment
The TLC is empowered to hear reports of student mistreatment from the individual student himself or herself, or from other students, faculty, post-doctoral fellows, other trainees, or staff. Students, faculty, staff or others who witness mistreatment of students may seek the advice of and/or file a report with the TLC.
How to Report to the Trainer-Learner Committee
Students or others who wish to discuss and/or report mistreatment to the TLC may contact the TLC at the designated email: WCGSTLC@med.cornell.edu to initiate a dialogue with the committee or to specify that they prefer to speak with a specific TLC member. Alternatively, students may contact a member of the committee directly by email or phone.
Because mistreatment issues can be complex and the TLC seeks to provide the student with advice and information, in-person meetings or phone calls are preferred versus reporting incident details in the initial contact e-mail. All members of the TLC will work to contact the student swiftly in order to arrange a convenient time for a meeting or phone discussion.
Reporting Mistreatment Concerns Regarding Grading and Evaluations
Students who believe that a faculty member may evaluate or grade them unfairly in the course assessment process and rotation and committee reports, based on statements or behaviors made by the faculty member, are strongly advised to report their concerns to the TLC before the course ends. The TLC may opt to discuss the matter with the course director/program director immediately or to retain the report on file in the event the matter ultimately becomes part of a grade/evaluation appeal process. Students are permitted to contest their grades/evaluations through the appeal mechanism (see Grade Appeal Process). Challenges to overturn grades/evaluations based solely on allegations of mistreatment may be compromised if mistreatment is reported after the final grade has been established and is known to the student.
Role of the Student or Other Persons Reporting Mistreatment and Anonymity
To the extent possible, the TLC will make every effort to preserve the anonymity of the student or person filing a report of mistreatment. In cases of Level 2 and in cases of Level 3 mistreatment that may involve violation of other WCM, SKI policies, or local, state, or federal laws (e.g., harassment, physical or sexual assault etc.), the investigation may require involvement of other bodies in addition to the TLC and could require interviews of the student or person filing the report. Before taking further action to investigate an incident of alleged mistreatment, the TLC shall inform the student or other complainant of his or her role in the process and the extent to which anonymity may be preserved or may need to be forfeited.