Osiso4eva

Thank you guys for your suggestions and contributions. I eventually graduated this Spring semester. But, it took great efforts from the Provost as well as the Provost's Associate to assist me graduate despite all efforts made by my advisor not to let me. As you guys suggested, I already quit the program before getting to know the University's ombudsman. I was able to set up appointment with him and eventually convinced him that my advisor is deliberately making me not to graduate I knew that certainly I had to stop working with my advisor 'cos his support is annually. By last Fall, I had no obligation with him. The only outstanding issue I was having with him was for him to sign my thesis. The University ombudsman took up my case seriously. I was in touch with him till I graduate and later I started talking with the Provost directly. Sometime last semester, the Provost got in touch with my advisor to give the reason in writing why he did not pay for my last Spring tuition on time. Well, he gave flimsy excuse 'cos he knew the Provost would be on him since he cannot use his grants to pay for any past semester. Somehow, the Provost paid all my tuition and fees till I graduated this Spring semester. I am so glad the Provost and the University ombudsman understood my situation perfectly. It only took one meeting for them to understood what I was passing through. I got to know later that the school's admins are aware of how this prof take advantage of students. They told me they were glad I reported to them and that they wished previous students had open up as well to the Provost. Thank you guys once again for your suggestions, I appreciate.

@Usmivka, Thanks so much for expressing your views on my situation. I sincerely appreciate your viewpoints. I would appreciate more suggestions if you could take time reading my answers to your questions. My response may be a bit lumped up as I had to respond using my phone. #1. I was meeting with him at least twice a week and doing presentation on my progress every 2weeks. The chair of the department had called for a meeting sometime in November 2011 and advised me and another colleague in like me about trying our best to do our thesis on time 'cos he is aware most students of this professor do not graduate at the time stipulated on candidacy form. #2. At the moment I am funding myself. I had made several attempts to source funds from other faculty members. But little did I know these professors always inquire from him that they want to fund me and immediately he paints me black and gives flimpsy excuse that I am in the middle of completing a project. So did I complete 2 projects in my first year that led to 2 papers and subsequent funding from a new agency this year. #3. Seriously, I had made efforts to apply for jobs and was given offer letter which were later rescind because I my school immigration officer stopped my OPT ie. Work permit based on my adviser communication with him that I had not complete my thesis. I explained my situation to this officer but he told me he cauld have helped me with the OPT if I had defended. Because of this loss, I notarised the changes being requested by my adviser and indicated that I would defend by October. But by him failing to pay my spring tuition I can't register for 1credit thesis so I defend. In other words I have financial hold preventing being eligible for defence. It is this development that really got me frustrated. That's why I stopped working for him immediately but lost total interest working for him. #4. My prof does not have post-doc, lab manager or any senior researcher like phd student. He has the reputation of delaying students graduation of which I was not aware of until I started my program. The chair has assisted me to but he seems to be mindful of being in good terms with my advisor instead of hitting the nail on the head. From my perspective, he seems to be a sadist that does not want his students succeed. The position of my chair on this matter does not surprise me. My prof had been chair for a decade before this new chair and he has this reputation of continual funding from agencies which makes the chair always want to be in good terms with him. In my observation, starting from graduate school to my department, each authority figure seems unconcerned about students success or graduation but they are much more interested in the level of funds coming from each faculty member. I don't know why they are not reasoning that students are assisting in securing these grants, though not in all situations. But for me, my prof depends on me a lot. Right now, he might loose a grant 'cos I'm not assisting him in the grant report. He does this so that if there is any rejection of any of his work, he shifts the blame on the student that assisted him. Moreover, the report is not related to my thesis. Even if I somehow force myself to complete the notarised changes in the thesis, how am I gonna defend it. Another thing hurting me deeply is the time I'm loosing in my life. I really tried to work ahead on my thesis so I move forward with my life on time. Seeing my colleagues graduate, get jobs while for me at each passing day, my dream seems to be drifting away into mere 'conception' Please I need more suggestions 'cos I'm not sure if a lawyer can bail me out of this matter.

Hi guyz, Im seriously impressed with suggestions offered on this forum to graduate students. I 'stumbled' over this excellent site while trying to find sincere advice on my current predicament. I am currently a grad student working towards MS in Electrical Engineering with concentration in Control Systems and Power. Ok, long story short, here is my predicament. I have been an RA in my grad program for 2years, started Fall 2010 and this is Fall 2012. To ensure I graduate on time (May 2012). I started working on my thesis by Mar 2011. I completed about 80% of my thesis by February 2012 and filed for candidacy December 2011. While trying to get my thesis committee memebers about my defense date by April 2012, suddenly my thesis advisor tells me he does not agree with my thesis results and started suggesting changing my thesis. I refuted and complained to the head of department. But little did i know that the chair only wants to be in good terms with my advisor and he did not support me changing advisor. With all pressure coming from my advisor to change topic, i later started working sleepless nights on any changes he makes. Now, he has made several corrections up to the point I can say im now doing like a 3 year funded proposal. I work on my thesis everyday to make all changes and STILL does some part of his research and reports. Now, my advisor is delaying my defense by defaulting to pay my Spring 2012 tuition so I defend this Fall 2012. I stopped working on his research recently when it seems pretty clear he wants to keep me as long as possible to work on his research and do ALMIGHTY thesis. the head of department is not helping when i complained of changing topic and advisor. Now, im stuck and frustrated and finding all possible means to get out of this mess. Honestly, I have totally lost interest in updating my thesis and would appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation. Moreover, I just want to get my MS and I have told my advisor I am not interested in a phd. Over the years, he hardly graduate students cos his focus seems to be on publication and grants since he is a full professor. please, i need help and advice on how to get out of this situation. it is 'eating' deeply into my emotional stability.