The Faculty Administrative Relations Committee (FARC) is a standing committee of the Faculty Senate. The FARC may serve in an appellate review role as provided in this Section 5.5.

5.5.1. Membership

The FARC consists of six faculty members. Two committee members are elected each year for three-year terms by the full faculty in accordance with the Faculty Senate Bylaws. Attendance of three committee members shall constitute a quorum for a FARC meeting. The chairperson of the FARC is elected by the committee members in accordance with the Faculty Senate Bylaws. The chairperson will preside over FARC meetings but shall not vote on a matter unless there is a tie- vote among committee members at a meeting.

5.5.2. Request for a FARC Review

As provided under Section 5.3.2. above, when a faculty member who has initiated a formal appeal through the administrative channel procedure receives a negative decision by the Provost, the faculty member may appeal the Provost’s decision to the Chancellor directly or request a review by the FARC prior to the Chancellor’s review. The faculty member will have ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the Provost’s decision to request a FARC review.

In order to request a review by the FARC, the faculty member must submit a written request to the FARC chairperson, with a copy to the Provost. The faculty member’s written request should state the nature of the faculty member’s appeal, the status of the appeal, and the faculty member’s desired outcome.

If the matter lies within the FARC’s purview (as specified in Section 5.5.3. below), the FARC will review the matter. If the matter does not lie within the FARC’s purview, the matter will not be reviewed by the FARC, and the faculty member’s appeal will continue to the Chancellor for determination.

5.5.3. Purview and Scope of Review

Matters that lie within the purview of the FARC include, but are not limited to, tenure decisions, promotion decisions, non-reappointment decisions, annual performance rating appeals, and allegations of academic freedom violations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, matters that are subject to one of the special appeal procedures set forth under Section 5.4. above lie outside of the FARC’s purview and may not be reviewed by the FARC.

For matters submitted to the FARC for review, the FARC does not replace the role of faculty and administrators in making employment-related decisions. Instead, it is guided by the aim of maximizing the protection of the principles of academic freedom, due process, and fairness. Accordingly, for each matter submitted to the FARC for review, the FARC, at a minimum, is obligated to consider whether or not the decision under review was made in accordance with University policies, procedures, and regulations, including, but not limited to, this Handbook and departmental and collegiate bylaws. For example, in reviewing a tenure decision, the FARC, at a minimum, must make a finding and recommendation regarding whether or not the applicable tenure procedures in this Handbook and in collegiate and departmental bylaws were followed. The FARC will gather evidence and make findings and recommendations and provide a report of its findings and recommendations to the Chancellor and the faculty member.