5.1. INTRODUCTION

Faculty members are entitled to fair, impartial and honest resolutions of problems that may arise in relation to employment. This chapter outlines principles and procedures designed to promote fair resolutions within a reasonable time period and addresses formal appeals in the sections on general appeals (Section 5.3. below) and special appeals (Section 5.4. below). Except as otherwise expressly provided, the disciplinary, grievance, and appeal procedures described in this chapter apply to all tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track faculty.

In all cases, faculty members are entitled to notice regarding the grounds on which an administrative action or decision has been taken. Faculty members are encouraged to first informally bring complaints or grievances to the lowest administrative level at which an adverse recommendation, decision, or action was taken. Additionally, informal grievances may be submitted to the faculty ombudsperson for resolution through mediation. Every effort should be made to expeditiously resolve grievances informally before submitting a formal appeal.

A faculty member may initiate a formal appeal under the applicable general or special appeal procedures outlined in this chapter. A formal appeal must be initiated within the applicable time periods specified in this Handbook or University policy or, if not specified, no more than one year from the date of the adverse recommendation, decision, or action in question.