Mission

The committee hears all appeals based on nonacademic personnel issues; on academic issues related to academic freedom, curricula, salary, and non-reappointment; and student issues for which an appeal structure does not exist. In addition, the committee monitors the University’s efforts to comply with desegregation and affirmative action plans, and brings any discrimination complaints and grievances to the attention of the administration. Recommendations of the committee regarding faculty and staff appeals are sent to the President.

1. Membership and responsibilities of the Committee and Subcommittee:

   1. Committees of the Whole. Monitors compliance with desegregation, and affirmative action plans and issues of discrimination.
      Membership:
      Chair – appointed by the president from the committee membership
      Faculty – four (4); one (1) elected from each college
      Academic administrators – two (2) below vice president rank
      Staff – four (4) appointed by the president
      Administrator, one (1) below vice president rank
      Students – two (2) appointed by the president
   2. Faculty Appeals Subcommittee. Hears all appeals based on academic issues related to academic freedom, curricula, salary, and non-reappointment.
      Membership:
      Chair – also chair of committee as a whole
      Faculty – four (4); one (1) elected from each college
      Academic administrators – two (2) below vice president rank
   3. Staff Appeals Subcommittee. Hears all appeals based on non-academic personnel issues
      Membership:
      Chair – appointed by the president from the subcommittee membership
      Staff – four (4) appointed by the president
      Academic Administrators, two (2) below vice president rank
   4. Student Appeals Subcommittee. Hears all appeals for which an appeal structure does not exist.
      Membership:
      Chair – faculty or staff from the subcommittee
      Faculty – one (1) member from the committee
      Staff – one (1) member from the committee
      Student – one (1) member from the committee
      Membership designated when appeal filed by overall committee chair and Office of VPA
   5. Ex Officio Members of Committee (nonvoting):
      Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA)
      Vice President for Administration (VPA)
      Vice President for Finance (VPF)
      Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)
      Liaison from Faculty Senate
      Liaison from Staff Senate

2. Procedure for all grievances before the committee(both discriminatory and nondiscriminatory

   1. After receiving a grievance, the committee (or subcommittee) will conduct an investigation which will include interviews with the grievant and the individual or unit charged and others the committee believes have information relevant to the grievance.
   2. The grievant and charged individual or unit have a right to present relevant information to the committee and be present during all interviews.  Neither may ask questions.  Questioning can only be done by the committee.  A grievant may have an attorney present, but the attorney will be limited to reading a prepared statement and may not ask questions.  The committee may go into closed session for discussion and decision making.
   3. The committee will make findings of fact relating to the grievance and make recommendations to the president for a resolution.  The committee will provide their report to the vice president for administration.
   4. The vice president for administration will refer the grievance file to the president for review.  After the president’s review, the grievant and the

Faculty or staff member with grievance (nondiscrimination) – begin with step 1.  The five days refers to the time for response by the grievant and not the time by the supervisors or the University officials who must respond within a reasonable time.

Any unreasonable delay should be reported to the vice president for administration.

All grievances charging discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin shall be resolved exclusively under these procedures.  The five days refers to the time response by the grievant and not the time by the supervisors or the University officials who must respond within a reasonable time.

1. Disability based grievances will be processed as follows:

2. All other grievances involving discrimination issues must be submitted as follows:

The five days refers to the time response by the grievant and not the time by the supervisors or the University officials who must respond within a reasonable time.