POLICY 4.11.4.3 - Procedures

In the event of dismissal for cause, the institution and the teacher shall be governed by the following procedures:

1. When reason arises to dismiss a faculty member whose contract term has not expired specific written charges or reasons shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the faculty member by the provost. The decision to dismiss will be made by the provost in consultation with the dean. A request to dismiss may be initiated by the dean or the provost.
2. If the dismissed faculty member protests the decision, they have available the following course:
   1. filing a written request to the president within 10 days of dismissal for a hearing before a three-person Review Board. The Review Board shall consist of the department/division chair and the associate dean or comparable academic administrator of the school/division. In addition, a school/division dean from another school/division shall be chosen by mutual agreement (of the dismissed faculty member, the department/division chair and the associate dean or other academic administrator), avoiding substantial prior involvement or conflict of interest.
   2. within 10 calendar days after receipt of the request, a hearing shall be held by the aforesaid Review Board. During the hearing, the faculty member shall be permitted to present witnesses, be heard on their own behalf and have with them an academic advisor of their own choice. The administration may be represented, with the right to present evidence and examine witnesses.
   3. the findings of the Review Board shall be submitted to the president for approval or disapproval. The president shall notify the dismissed faculty member of the decision.
3. The dismissed faculty member may contest the decision of the Review Board by making written request to the president of the university for a hearing by the Final Appeals Board. The Final Appeals Board will review errors of fact or errors of process. The Board consists of the president of Faculty Senate, the chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee and another academic dean, again chosen by mutual agreement (of the dismissed faculty member, the president of the Senate and the chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee) and avoiding substantial prior involvement or conflict of interest.

The meeting of the Final Appeals Board will include the following agenda:

1. reading of the dismissed faculty member’s request for reconsideration along with any supporting data submitted by the faculty member;
2. reading of the reports of the Review Board along with any supporting data submitted by the Review Board;
3. personal interview by the Final Appeals Board of the dismissed faculty member;
4. personal interview by the Final Appeals Board of any individuals who in the opinion of the Board may have information which will assist them in making a decision;
5. final decision and action regarding the appeal;

The decision of the Final Appeals Board is forwarded to the faculty member and submitted to the president of the university. Following review of the report of the Final Appeals Panel, the president will decide the disposition of the case, which decision is final.