There is potential for conflict of interest when a student’s relationship with a supervisor, or with others who are in a position to influence academic decisions, is more than a strictly academic one. There may also be a conflict of interest with implications for a student’s program when a student is at the same time a Board appointee or in a support staff position. In order to avoid conflict of interest and protect privacy, graduate students are not permitted to evaluate other graduate students who are registered in the same program for the same degree.
IN ANY CASE WHERE CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS POSSIBLE, THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES MUST BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING.
Specific measures may be taken to address specific situations; for instance, there may be special requirements for the composition and procedures of examining committees.
Further details regarding the Graduate Studies Policy on Conflict of Interest can be found at: http://grad.ucalgary.ca/current/policies-forms/conflict-interest.