If a problem cannot be resolved at this level, it should normally be referred next to the departmental graduate advisor. If a problem cannot be resolved with the assistance of the departmental graduate advisor, the department head should be consulted. The problem and all steps taken to resolve the problem may progress to a review by the Dean of the Faculty. If no resolution can be achieved within the Faculty, the problem may ultimately be taken to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies will check to ensure that each previous level of problem resolution has been explored to the fullest extent before proceeding to other levels.
Female students are significantly more affected by family responsibilities than male students.
At UBC in 1995, five times more female than male graduate students were responsible for caring for children or sick or disabled parents or partners, in addition to their academic program. Students with such obligations were more likely to be in Masters' programs and pursuing part-time studies. Significant differences between men and women in a number of areas, as reported at UBC, can cause conflict during the graduate program. Women were more likely to feel that program expectations were unfair Conflict and Resource Allocation Findings regarding the fairness of resource allocations for graduate students at UBC in 1995 showed general dissatisfaction in this area. In particular, whether they were Master's or Doctoral students, male graduate students reported greater satisfaction with the allocation of teaching assistantships, laboratory space and time, equipment and research support than did female graduate students.