Changing Tutors

It is relatively common for students to want to change their tutor.  This can be for any number of reasons from a personality clash that is harming the students performance or a perceived lack of support by a tutor.

If you would like to change your tutor you should check your college handbook for any regulations or contact your JCR Academic Affairs Officer, as they will be able to offer advice and outline the college-specific procedures to you.  Alternatively you can talk to your partoral/personal tutor, Senior Tutor, or the Tutor for Women.  Some colleges specify in their regulations that students have the right to request a different tutor, and if this right exists in your college, you should simply follow the college procedure.  The procedure for changing tutors will though vary considerably between colleges. Typically you will need to discuss the issue with either your Personal Tutor or Senior Tutor before any action can be taken.   You can usually request that a Common Room officer attends these meetings with you.

Arranging teaching takes up a lot of your college tutors' time so make sure you have a good reason for asking to change.  If you are unsure or think your tutor may be unsympathetic to your request, try approaching a pastoral tutor first as they will be able to offer some help.  Remember that it is better to speak to someone about any problems that you are facing rather than staying quiet and suffering in silence.

If the nature of your problem with your tutor is more serious it may be worth looking at the Harassment section of this website, which offers advice on making formal complaints to the Proctors.  There are clear structures in place for students to make complaints and there are many sources of help available in usign these strucutres, particularly from OUSU's Student Advice Service.