University Grievance Council
Preface
Full information regarding the purpose, goals, and functions of the University Grievance Panel is available in the VCU Faculty Grievance Procedure, revised effective January 1997. Secure a copy from your department chair.
Purpose
The University Grievance Panel is charged with the oversight of equitable resolutions of grievances when they cannot be resolved through informal means.
Goals
To ensure that the processes entailed in denial of tenure, denial of salary promotion or nonrenewable of nontenured faculty are fair and equitable as well as adhere to the policies and procedures of the University. And, to provide a final opportunity within the academic community to rectify errors which may have occurred in policy, procedures or judgments.
Assignments
The nature of the complaint determines whether it is heard by the University Grievance Panel or by a Board appointed under the auspices of the Panel by its Chair (see Faculty Grievance Procedure, p. 2-9.) Such Board assignments are rotated among the thirty-one (31) members of the panel. A group of five (5) members is sent material about a specific case. An orientation is done by the Chair. Each member then independently reviews all the pertinent materials. A four (4) to six (6) hour meeting is held to interview all concerned parties and to discuss resolution of the case. The group issues a report stating its findings for each charge as well as recommendations.
Procedures for Nomination
The School of Medicine elects members to the University Grievance Panel in the spring of each year. This number may shift from year-to-year. It is based upon the number of full-time faculty and assigned to each school by the credentials committee of the Faculty Senate.
Membership and Term
Elected members as well as the elected alternative members must be tenured professors or tenured associate professors. Terms are for three years and commence on August 15.
Note: Faculty who enjoy critical thinking and who understand the academic system are encouraged to participate via election to the Panel. The rotation of cases among the Panel’s members helps to guarantee that individual members are not overburdened by their service.
Mary Clement, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, 8-1050.
