Strategies and Tips

Graduate students at the University of Massachusetts fill a number of complex roles.  Many are both students and employees as TAs or RAs, or work in groups in labs or on joint projects with other students and faculty. Some are handling both demanding academic requirements and important family responsibilities.  These interconnected relationships enrich the experience of graduate work, and at the same time, create opportunities for misunderstanding and conflict.  Conflict is a normal part of everyone’s life, but not many are confident about dealing with it effectively. Here are some resources that may be of help.

• Four Strategies to Deal with Abrasive Leaders
• How To Stand Up To Adult Bullies
• Conflict Resolution at Work For Dummies Cheat Sheet
• Resilience
• The Road to Resilience
• Problem Solving Conversations Guidelines [pdf]
• CPI’s Top 10 De-Escalation Tips [pdf]

Grievance Procedure

This Graduate School Academic Grievance Procedure was approved in 2017.

The Dignity Project

The Dignity Project was developed at the University of Minnesota to encourage responsible conduct in graduate and professional education.  The University of Minnesota has generously made these materials available to other universities. Note that references to offices and other on-campus resources on the site are to those of the University of Minnesota. Below are UMass resources that may be of similar help.

On-campus Resources

• The Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, which provides emotional support and counseling for stress, depression, anxiety and other emotional difficulties
• The Graduate School
• The International Programs Office
• The Dean of Students Office
• Disability Services, which provides equal access to individuals with disabilities.
• The Student Legal Services Office, which provides free legal advice and counsel for graduate and undergraduate students with problems with immigration, landlord-tenant, consumer protection, criminal defense and others.
• The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EO&D), which addresses discrimination issues and manages related Grievance Policies and Title IX compliance.
• The Center for Women and Community, which provides counseling, Rape Crisis services, community education and trainings about sexual violence, healthy relationship and other topics, as well as information and referral services.
• The Men and Masculinities Center, which supports male student success and healthy masculinities for individuals and communities.
• The Stonewall Center, which provides support, resources, programming, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA) and allied students, staff, and faculty at UMass Amherst and for the larger Pioneer Valley.
• The Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS), which supports the student success and sense of belonging of firstgeneration students, students of color, multiracial students, and low income students.
• ……as well as a wide array of supportive cultural organizations, registered student organizations, and activities to enhance grad students’ experiences.

Support in a variety of situations: Single-Stop Resources

A campus guide for grad students: UMatter at UMass Grad Student Guide