Expectations for Graduate Student Behavior

The Experimental Psychology program considers graduate students to be professionals-in-training in regard to succeeding in course work, developing research skills, and developing teaching and other professional skills. Professional expectations include the following:

Demonstrate efficiency and dependability to faculty, fellow students, and undergraduate students.

• Respond in a timely and professional manner to email and other communications.
• Meet requirements of research expectations as stipulated in your Psych 700/800 memos.
• Meet milestones and other deadlines of the program in a timely manner.
• Attend all classes, TA/RA meetings, and team meetings.

Participate actively in the program and discipline.

• Attend department/program seminars and professional talks including but not limited to job talks, practice defense talks, Psych 506 talks, and student prelim seminars.
• Present research during program seminars (e.g. Psych 506), and at professional meetings when financially feasible (Note: a number of travel awards are available to experimental psychology graduate students including a department travel award, WSU graduate school travel award, and Craft travel award).
• Join professional organizations when financially feasible.
• Take initiative to seek out and participate in optional training opportunities (e.g., on grant writing).

Treat others, whether part of the program, department, or greater professional community, with respect.

• Be proactive in reporting and/or resolving conflict in a calm, fair and open-minded manner.
• Avoid gossip and/or spreading rumors and misinformation.
• Be mindful of your professional versus private persona when engaging with others over email, on social media, websites, etc. Consider carefully before sharing private information if you want this information to be potentially viewable to program faculty, students, and/or employers. Also consider carefully whether it is appropriate to share professional information (e.g., talking about confidential research information) as doing so could be unethical or unprofessional. Note: WSU email should not be used for personal communication.
• Familiarize yourself with University policies including Executive Policy 15 (Policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment) and Standards of Conduct for Students.
• Follow APA’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct.
• Follow WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy.
• Follow WSU’s policy on consensual relationships. Note that this policy applies to you as a graduate student as well as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or course instructor.
• Also see the WSU Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual which details policies and regulations that all graduate students at WSU are expected to follow.

Role of faculty advisors:

• To be available for regular interaction to provide guidance and professional feedback to you, so that you can continually improve your performance.
• To be responsive to your questions and concerns.
• To assist you in learning about sub-discipline-specific opportunities for professional development.

What to do if conflicts arise:

1. Try to talk to your major research advisor first. If they cannot assist or you are not comfortable consulting with them, it is recommended that you seek guidance from the:
2. DET (Carrie Cuttler; carrie.cuttler@wsu.edu); if the DET cannot assist you or you are uncomfortable consulting with them, then you can seek assistance from the:
3. Department Chair (David Marcus; david.marcus@wsu,edu; if the chair cannot assist or you are uncomfortable consulting with them, then you can seek assistance from the:
4. Psychology Graduate Resource Coordinator (Paul Strand; pstrand@wsu.edu)
5. Per the WSU Graduate School policies and procedures manual, if the matter cannot be resolved following the above steps, an appointment can be made with the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (Tammy Barry; tammy.barry@wsu.edu) or one of the associate deans of the Graduate School.

Depending on the nature of the issue, you may wish to consult WSU Compliance and Civil Rights (ccr.wsu.edu) or the WSU Ombudsman (ombudsman.wsu.edu). Be aware that if you report illegal or university-prohibited behaviors (e.g., sexual harassment or discrimination) to any faculty or staff member, they are required to report it.