My PhD program is not progressing students quickly enough

[Criminologist]

My PhD program expects students to graduate within 3 years with a master's degree (that is all they are guaranteed funding for), almost all students have a masters though maybe 1 student has done this. Students are expected to take a week long comprehensive exam in the beginning of the spring of their 2nd year in the program. After they find out their results (about a month later), if they pass that they will form a committee of three members to write up a broad question based on your area where you have several months to work on (the second exam). As soon as I found out I had passed the exam (mid-feb) I contacted my advisor to set up the committee so they can begin to write the question for me, since then I was told numerous times I would have received the question at a particular time, but every time the writing of the question was put off and excuses were made, such as being busy with grading or administrative work, at this point three months later I have still not received the question and therefore accomplished very little during the spring term. It has been very frustrating to sit around doing nothing almost all of the semester. I am thinking that it is unreasonable for the program to expect students to graduate in such a short time then not do everything possible to get students to get through the program as quickly as possible, and make writing the exam question such a low priority. At least several other students were in the same situation as well. My question is do you think it would be worthwhile to send a message to the graduate director of the program and voice my concerns about this, or would this just harm my relationship with the program? 

Edited May 14, 2016 by dudeman74

[Quantum Buckyball]

My program is trying to reinforce this as well, for those entered the program without a Masters has a maximum of 5 years to complete their degree, they will let you get a PhD if you have pubs, if you have no pubs they will make you leave the program with a Masters. 

I think they are trying to align with European system... 

[Criminologist]

My Phd program is low-tier, it's not a requirement just that they likely will not get funding, most students take longer than 3 years to complete, 5 with masters is typical, maybe 1-2 people graduate each year. At this point I am only getting the phd for the achievement of getting it, don't care about pubs, etc, but I am still frustrated. 

[ShogunT]

I think you are in the right position to voice your concern. Get other students with the similar situation on board to make your case stronger. Proceed carefully and gently as it involves people with high status (and ego). It is good to test the water by talking to a trusted senior professor your know first.

Good luck!

[St Andrews Lynx]

On 14 May 2016 at 4:32 PM, dudeman74 said:

My question is do you think it would be worthwhile to send a message to the graduate director of the program and voice my concerns about this, or would this just harm my relationship with the program? 

Go ahead and contact the director. Keep the message polite, concise and stick to the facts (you don't want to say anything like "Prof X. keeps on making excuses" or "I feel/think...").

Is it your advisor who is solely responsible for writing the question? If you haven't already, meet in them person (rather than talking via email/phone) to talk about the hold up and try to agree upon a deadline for them producing the question. Get the deadline in writing and follow up with an email to them stating what you agreed upon. If your advisor is being problematic then you want a strong paper trail.