HEARINGS COMMITTEE 6 elected members Must have permanent tenure when elected

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Conducts hearings and makes recommendations on Decisions to suspend, demote, or discharge a faculty member for cause Decisions not to reappoint a non-tenured tenure-track faculty member

HEARINGS COMMITTEE A decision to suspend, demote, or discharge a fixed- term, tenure-track, or tenured faculty member may be based on grounds of Misconduct Incompetence Neglect of duty

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Examples of misconduct Violation of professional ethics Mistreatment of students or other employees Research misconduct Financial fraud Unlawful, inappropriate, or unethical conduct Misconduct must be related to academic responsibilities OR reflect adversely on honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness to be a faculty member

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Examples of incompetence Failure to improve significant, sustained unsatisfactory performance within a reasonable time after having been given an opportunity to do so Examples of neglect of duty Sustained failure to meet classes Sustained failure to perform other significant faculty professional obligations

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Standard of proof for suspension, demotion, or discharge University has the burden of proof Standard is “clear and convincing evidence”

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Grounds for appeal of decision not to reappoint a non- tenured tenure-track faculty member Decision was based on impermissible grounds Decision was affected by material procedural irregularity, i.e., Departure from prescribed procedures for reappointment that cast doubt on the integrity of the decision not to reappoint

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Standard of proof in denial of tenure case Burden of proof is on the faculty member Standard is to prove by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the faculty member’s contention is true

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Appeal rights in suspension, demotion, or discharge case No appeal if Chancellor concurs in Hearings Committee recommendation favorable to the faculty member Faculty member may appeal to Trustees if outcome is unfavorable to faculty member Faculty member may appeal a final unfavorable decision to the Board of Governors

HEARINGS COMMITTEE Appeal rights in denial of tenure case Faculty member may appeal an adverse decision directly to the Board of Governors No appeal to the Board of Trustees

GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE 10 elected members Structured to represent all faculty ranks, both fixed- term and tenure track

GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE Handles of any grievance not within the jurisdiction of the Hearings Committee Grievances typically involve alleged failure to follow established internal University, school, or departmental policies, e.g., Salary policy Research leaves Travel policy Promotion to full professor

GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE Appeal Rights No appeal if Grievance Committee outcome is unfavorable to grievant If advice favorable to the grievant is not followed, grievant may appeal to the Board of Trustees No appeal beyond Board of Trustees