UCOP Faculty Handbook

Members of the Academic Senate may complain to the Divisional Senate Privilege and Tenure Committee that their rights or privileges have been violated.

In cases of personnel reviews involving tenure, promotion, or reappointment, complaints may be based only on allegations that:

proper procedures were not followed, and/or
the challenged decision was reached on the basis of impermissible criteria, such as race, sex, or political conviction.

The Privilege and Tenure Committee is empowered to determine the validity of complaints under 1. and 2., but is not empowered to reevaluate the academic merits of the case. (Bylaw 335* of the Academic Senate)

Grievances by faculty who are not members of the Senate concerning violation of conditions of employment as set forth in University policies are governed by Academic Personnel Manual Section 140*, or by applicable Memorandum of Understanding for those covered by collective bargaining agreements. Under APM - 140, a faculty member has thirty days to initiate a review of the grievance. A grievance is:

a complaint that a specific administrative act was arbitrary or capricious and adversely affects the faculty member's tenure or conditions of employment, or
a claim of a violation of applicable University rules, regulations, or Academic Personnel policies which adversely affects the faculty member s tenure or conditions of employment.

A faculty member whose complaint relates to termination of an appointment prior to the expiration of the contract, may request a hearing before the appropriate committee of the Academic Senate. (Regents' Standing Order 103.9* and Academic Senate Bylaws 195 and 335*)

In accordance with the University-wide policy on sexual harassment, each campus has established special complaint procedures for sexual harassment cases. (APM - 035, Appendix A*)

Complaints which are not covered under the scope of the Committee on Privilege and Tenure for Senate members or under APM - 140* for non-Senate faculty, may be considered under campus administrative review procedures. Administrative review procedures involve requests for review by successively higher levels of administrative authority.

The Faculty Code of Conduct (APM - 015*) contains a description of professional responsibilities, ethical principles, and types of unacceptable behavior. University discipline under the Faculty Code of Conduct is under the jurisdiction of the Chancellor of each campus. Discipline may be imposed for violation of ethical principles set forth in the Faculty Code of Conduct. Imposition of discipline against a faculty member is pursuant to the Faculty Code of Conduct and the procedures set forth by the Academic Senate in Bylaw 335.*

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