======= Date Modified 05 48 2008 18:48:28 =======
Hi, a couple of months ago i asked a question regarding whether i had the right to litigate if my department refused to grant me another extension.


A few days ago I went to see the chair of the research committee of the school with a negative expectation.

I was very surprised. He was fully supportive and said i would have no problem getting an extension and that they would change my supervisor for me, even though i am nearly 6 years full time into the PhD and need an extra few months.

I had been worried because i was led to the impression that the unis procedure was inflexible. But given all the recent problems they have had, i believe they have realised that tightening submission rules and written procedures does not solve their problems of late student submission and monitoring, but can in fact add to them.


As a consequence of a 10 page letter of mitigating circumstances that i submitted at my last extension request, the head is having a meeting with the school to discuss the issues i raised, which amongst other harsh criticisms includes the accusation of supervisors attempting to supervise in areas where they have little or no relevant expertise, publication history etc.


Obviously this will lead to political fallout, hence he asked my permission to do this, but i said yes.


I believe the reason i have been giving this extension without any fight is partly because they concede there is a general problem with my research group due to similar student complaints made in the past, and partly because none of the academics appear to have any fight left in them. They all look depressed by the high student drop out rates, associated staff redundancies and the heaped stress and workload put onto them as a result, perhaps made worse by a nagging feeling of job insecurity.

The department has been collapsing due to a general lack of undergrad and postgrad student demand for their courses, combined with poor staff relations, lack of staff training and low morale, where everyone seems to distrust and hate one one another rather than work together.


I'm obviously glad i am able to continue beyond 6 years full time, (the phd not starting until after 3), but given that my supervisor isn't yet aware of all this stuff i have done behind the scenes and considers me to be a friend, that i still have masses still to do, and that the spirit of the department is broken I also feel quite guilty to be honest.

If you are uneasy you have to inform your research manager/postgraduate tutor about the situation and discuss the possibility of a suspension until relevant supervision is found. Don't leave it. You could end up digging yourself a hole and after a few more years of unnecessary problems and extensions, wish you transferred to another uni, or even got a job.

given a choice between a nervous breakdown and a murderous rage, i'd prefer the nervous breakdown. Although if i did garrote my supervisor and got sent to prison, i'd arguably have more time to write up, and get better supervision.

hi, and thanks for all the replies, especially Lara.

Its a tragedy if anyone is discontinued against their will after so long.

I cannot understand how a department can allow a project to continue
beyond say, two years before deciding to discontinue it, unless the student has become demotivated, his contribution is in doubt, is broke, or is ill. To me it can only smack of supervisory negligence.

There becomes two options. Transfer to a new uni for a minimum of two more years costing a few thousand more per year. Or hire an Educational Law solicitor to litigate the uni on assumption they have failed their contractual obligation in terms of either negligence or failure in academic duty of care,or incompetence. How easy is this to prove?? my supervisor was forever asking my signature on supervision forms to justify his awful supervision...

I have been doing a computer science phd for nearly six years full time, and my phd didn't properly start until after three years, well into extension time. The reason is because my supervisor initally told me to do experiments for which i could find no scientific basis or motive, thus wasting my first two years. Worse,arguably neither he, my second supervisor, nor my school of computing had any relevant expertise, publication or teaching experience in the general field of my phd.

The upshot is my phd didn't start until after three years. Now i am in a good position to finish but I will submit at least three months after my 'last ever extension deadline' and feel both angry and nervous about this. I don't trust my supervisor at all, he has a terrible reputation because of putting previous students in similar situations and has decieved me throughout the process.

If the university turns around and says they won't accept my finished thesis when it is handed in three months late, can I legally challenge them? or should i see a solicitor now, three months before my deadline expires but risk upsetting everyone, including my only supervisor?