Grievance Regarding Layoff
A decision to declare financial exigency made pursuant to the procedures outlined above is presumptively valid and constitutes a bona fide decision to make the change or declare financial exigency. As such, these decisions are not subject to appeal by individual faculty members.
A faculty member who is laid off due to financial exigency may, however, file a grievance with the Professional Standards Committee if they believe that the decision to subject them to layoff:
- violated one or more of the procedures stated above
- was made on grounds that are discriminatory or in violation of academic freedom
- was arbitrary
The burden of proof in the case of such an appeal rests on the faculty member.
The Professional Standards Committee will report its findings and recommendations to the President of the College. If the committee’s findings support the faculty member’s allegation(s), in whole or in part, it may recommend that the President reconsider the termination of the faculty member’s appointment. The President’s decision is final.
A faculty member may also file a grievance if they believe that the decision(s) relating to what constitutes “a position for which the faculty member is qualified,” “a reasonable period of training” and/or “level of financial or other support” during the “transition process” was arbitrary or blatantly unreasonable.
The Professional Standards Committee will report its findings and recommendations to the President of the College. If the committee’s findings support the faculty member’s allegation(s), in whole or in part, it may recommend that the President reconsider the decision(s) relating to what constitutes “a position for which the faculty member is qualified,” “a reasonable period of training” and/or “level of financial or other support” during the “transition process.” The President’s decision is final.