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Resolving Faculty Disagreements in Issues Other Than Termination and Non-Renewal of Contracts (E-26A)

Original Implementation: April 3, 1979
Last Revision: January 25, 2011

The resolution of disagreements regarding administrative decisions or other disputes involving faculty or other personnel, other than dismissal, shall be pursued initially with the academic unit chair/director. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at that level, the faculty member may put the disagreement in writing and submit it to the college dean, along with a copy to the academic unit chair/director.

The college dean shall consult with the faculty member and the academic unit chair/director in an effort to resolve the disagreement. The dean may consult with any others deemed to have insight into the matter. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the dean, the faculty member may appeal the issue to the provost and vice president for academic affairs (VPAA).

The provost and VPAA shall consult with the faculty member(s), the academic unit chair/director, the college dean, and any others with insight into the matter. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the provost and VPAA, the faculty member may appeal the issue either to a subcommittee of the University Grievance Panel or directly to the president, depending on the nature of the dispute.

Employment Disputes

The appeal shall be forwarded from the provost and VPAA to the grievance panel at the faculty member’s request only if the disagreement involves an allegation that conditions of employment under university policy have been violated. This process shall operate under the following guidelines:

  1. An advisory subcommittee of the University Grievance Panel shall review the evidence. The subcommittee shall be composed of five members, with two members selected by the faculty member, two by the president or the president's designee, and one selected at random. Each party shall have one challenge without stated cause.
  2. Once constituted, the subcommittee shall establish its procedures for resolving the dispute.
  3. When the subcommittee has made its determination, it shall advise the president and the faculty member of its findings in writing.
  4. The president shall review the subcommittee’s report, consult with the faculty member(s) and any others with insight into the matter, and render a decision that shall be final.


All Other Disputes

In situations that do not implicate conditions of employment, an appeal from the provost and VPAA shall be forwarded directly to the president who shall consult with the faculty member(s), the academic unit chair/director, the college dean, the provost and VPAA and any others with insight into the matter.
In all cases, the decision of the president is final and shall be communicated to the faculty member in writing within a reasonable time.

Cross Reference: Faculty Handbook, Grievance and Appeals (E-25N)

Responsible for Implementation: President

Contact for Revision: President

Forms: None

Board of Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs