Faculty

    • The Faculty Ombudspersons exist to assist faculty and academic personnel in finding non-confrontational solutions to problems involving other members of the University.
    • The Panel of Counselors are available to advise faculty on further avenues for resolution of their problem, if an informal resolution does not seem likely.
    • The Committee on Privilege and Tenure provides the most formal level of conflict resolution.  The Committee on Privilege and Tenure has jurisdiction over three categories of cases:
      • grievance cases, in which a member of the Senate claims injury through the violation of his/her rights and privileges;
      • disciplinary cases, in which a member of the Senate is accused of having violated the Faculty Code of Conduct; and
      • early termination cases, in which a Senate or non-Senate faculty member challenges where there is good cause for his/her early termination.

In cases of personnel review involving tenure, promotion, or reappointment, such grievances may be based only on allegations: (a) that the procedures were not in consonance with the applicable rules and requirements of the University or any of its Divisions, and/or (b) that the challenged decision was reached on the basis of impermissible criteria, including --but not limited to-- race, sex, or political conviction. The committee is empowered to determine the validity of the grievances under (a) or (b) but is not empowered to re-evaluate the academic qualifications or professional competence of the grievant.

Senate members are asked to consult the Faculty Ombudsperson and Panel of Counselors before forwarding a case to the Committee on Privilege & Tenure.