Section VII- Grievance

7. Grievance Procedures

7.1. Application and Intent

The grievance procedures set forth in this Section VII shall not apply to disputes relating to appointment, reappointment, retention, tenure, promotion, dismissal, suspension, reassignment and termination nor to complaints brought under any of the university’s discrimination and harassment codes. The grievance procedure set forth hereinafter is designed to protect academic due process and academic freedom and to respect professional conduct. In conjunction therewith, the university recognizes and endorses the importance of academic due process and of addressing grievances properly without fear of prejudice or reprisal. Accordingly, the university encourages the informal and prompt settlement of grievances, as defined below.

7.2. Definition

A grievance is defined as an allegation by a faculty member that there has been a violation of University policy or procedure as set forth in this Handbook.

7.3.Procedures

The procedure for dealing with grievances is to occur sequentially as follows:

1. Faculty members will first attempt to resolve the issue through informal discussion with their immediate academic supervisors.
2. If no resolution is reached, they will next attempt to resolve the issue through informal discussion with their school or college dean or library director.
3. If no resolution is reached, they will bring the matter before their appropriate school/college/library committee as stipulated in the school/college/library bylaws. (Normally this is the Faculty Affairs Committee). Specific procedures for such reviews are contained in the bylaws of each school/college/library of the university.
4. If requested by the grieving party, cases brought before a school/college/library committee under 7.3.c will be reviewed by the Faculty Council Faculty Affairs Committee with regard to questions of due process only, following action by the school/college/library committee. If the Faculty Council Faculty Affairs Committee determines that there are violations of due process, the grievance will be remanded to and reconsidered by the committee having jurisdiction thereof.

All decisions on grievances are subject to review by the provost and the president. The decision of the president is final. When a grievance substantially similar to a grievance under these procedures has been filed with an outside agency, no faculty committee shall review the matter unless there is evidence that such a review would facilitate a resolution of the grievance. An exception may be made to this policy when a delay in filing with an outside agency would not allow the grievant to file because of the time it might take to follow the university’s grievance procedures. This exception applies only to filing with an outside agency, not to bringing suit in a court of law. Any grievance which has been filed or resolved by an outside agency cannot thereafter be presented as a grievance.