Principles Governing the Selection and Change of Thesis Advisors for Graduate Students of the Institute of Physical Education, Health & Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University
(Applicable to Students Admitted in Academic Year 2018 and Thereafter)

Approved at the 5th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2008 on February 23, 2009
Approved at the 5th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2009 on January 11, 2010
Revised and approved at the 6th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2010 on February 18, 2011
Revised and approved at the 1st Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2012 on September 6, 2012
Revised and approved at the 6th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2012 on January 14, 2013
Revised and approved at the 7th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2012 on February 18, 2013
Approved for record by the Legal Affairs Division and the Office of Academic Affairs on December 5, 2014
Revised and approved at the 4th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2015 on February 19, 2016
Revised at the 2nd Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2016 on September 26, 2016
Revised and approved at the 3rd Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2016 on December 12, 2016
Revised and approved at the 1st Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2017 on September 15, 2017
Revised and approved at the 5th Curriculum Committee Meeting of Academic Year 2017 on July 26, 2018
Revised and approved at the 6th Institute Affairs Meeting of Academic Year 2017 on July 26, 2018
Approved for record by the Legal Affairs Division and the Office of Academic Affairs on August 15, 2018

1. These Principles are established in accordance with the University Academic Regulations, the Graduate Student Regulations, and the University’s Principles Governing Graduate Students’ Applications to Change Thesis Advisors, in order to protect graduate students’ freedom in learning and research and to maintain a sound advisor–student relationship.
2. The purpose of appointing a thesis advisor is to assist students with course planning, research, and thesis writing, and to participate in the seminars of the graduate students under the advisor’s supervision. The qualifications for and appointment of thesis advisors shall be governed by the Institute’s regulations and are subject to the approval of the Director. In principle, the thesis advisor must be a full-time faculty member primarily appointed by the Institute. When necessary, another teacher may be invited, upon consultation with the thesis advisor, to serve as a co-advisor.
3. Graduate students shall discuss their research interests with all relevant faculty members before selecting a thesis advisor. In choosing a thesis advisor, students shall take into consideration the faculty member’s expertise and experience, the learning environment, and their own research goals. The Application Form for Graduate Thesis Advisor must be completed within three weeks after the beginning of the semester.
4. The principles governing the assignment of thesis advisors are as follows:
   (1) Each full-time faculty member primarily appointed by the Institute shall supervise one to two students admitted in the same academic year through recommendation and screening admission or regular admission.
   (2) International students, students from Mainland China, and overseas Chinese students may select their thesis advisors according to their own preference and are not subject to the upper limit on the number of students supervised by a faculty member in the same cohort.
   (3) If a newly admitted student applies for leave of absence or deferred admission before or after enrollment, the thesis advisor shall be selected upon resumption of study in accordance with the advisor assignment principles applicable to the student’s original year of admission.
5. After selecting a thesis advisor, graduate students shall maintain regular and proactive contact with the advisor in order to receive substantial guidance. In principle, a change of thesis advisor shall be avoided. However, if the thesis advisor is unable to complete thesis supervision within the student’s period of study due to overseas travel, leave, or other reasons, the graduate student may apply to change the thesis advisor.
6. After selecting a thesis advisor, a graduate student may not apply for a change during the first semester, and in principle, the change may be made only once. If such a change is approved, the period of study must be extended by at least half a year. Any exceptional case shall be submitted to the Institute Affairs Meeting for resolution. If a change is deemed necessary after the first semester, the student shall submit the Application Form for the Selection and Change of Thesis Advisor (Appendix 1). Such application shall only take effect upon written consent from the original thesis advisor, the new thesis advisor, and the Director. The newly appointed thesis advisor must supervise the student for at least six months before the student may apply for a different thesis topic. In addition, the student agrees that any research成果 obtained under the original thesis advisor may not be published or transferred in any form without the original advisor’s prior consent; otherwise, the student shall bear legal responsibility.
7. If a graduate student needs to change the thesis advisor during the period of study and any of the following circumstances occurs, the Director shall convene an Institute Affairs Meeting. Upon attendance by two-thirds of the representatives and approval by two-thirds of those present, an appropriate faculty member or the Director shall serve as the thesis advisor, or another appropriate arrangement shall be made:
   (1) The original thesis advisor refuses to give consent.
   (2) The graduate student is unable to obtain the consent of a new thesis advisor.
   (3) Any other circumstance that is sufficient to affect the graduate student’s selection or change of thesis advisor.
8. These Principles shall be implemented after approval by the Institute Affairs Meeting and submission to the Office of Academic Affairs for record. The same procedure shall apply to any amendments.