Information for Trainers

GEC Responsibilities

Criteria for Trainers

Responsibilities of the Trainers

1. Recruitment

Trainers are expected to be actively involved in the CMP program which includes, but is not limited to:

1. Recruiting applicants in the spring semester each year
2. Meeting with/interviewing prospective students that are interested in their labs or research areas.
3. Participate in recruitment activities.



Fall Orientation and Rotations

1. If a trainer is looking to accept a student(s), it is expected that they, or someone from their lab, will participate in the CMP Wine and Cheese Poster session to present information regarding their lab.


2. Trainer Review

Every three years, the Graduate Education Committee will review a trainer’s involvement in the program. The trainer will be asked to submit information regarding their participation in the CMP graduate program. Trainers will be reviewed based on, but not limited to, their involvement in recruitment, orientation, student training, and committee membership.

If the Graduate Education Committee determines that the trainer is unsuitable for the CMP program, they will receive a letter from the CMP program informing them of their decision. A trainer can appeal the Committee’s decision to the GEC or re-apply for trainership in the future.



3. Student Advising

The major professor will mentor the student and monitor their progress toward the Ph.D. degree while also giving advice to the student about courses to take, committee members, and deadlines as outlined in this handbook.



4. Unsatisfactory Progress

If the student is not making satisfactory progress in the lab or their behavior is not conducive to lab research, the following steps are recommended:

1. Communicate your concerns to the student and request changes to be made within a specific time period. Note concerns on progress report forms. Follow up your conversation with an official letter stating the changes to be made that will be given to the student and a copy to the program office.
2. If the student does not make satisfactory changes, consult the student’s advisory committee for recommendations. The decision that is made by the committee and major professor should be documented and sent to the CMP program office for filing.
3. If problems persist, contact the Chair of the CMP program for the appropriate course of action. The student may be asked to leave the laboratory or the CMP program. If it is decided that the student should seek another laboratory, the program will fund the student for a maximum of no more than 6 months while they rotate.