Grievance and Mediation
Information for Faculty Members Considering Filing a Grievance or Requesting Mediation
The University provides two mechanisms for resolving disputes that cannot be resolved through informal efforts. These are grievances, and mediation:- A grievance is a formal hearing process during which an impartial panel of faculty colleagues hears testimony and/or reviews evidence supporting the grievant’s claims and the responses of the respondent(s) to the grievance. Rules for grievances are listed in the Redbook, Chapter 4 Article 4. Please note that grievances must be filed within 60 days of the action or decision being disputed.
- For some disputes, a potentially less adversarial method of resolution is to request mediation. In this process, the University hires an outside mediator to meet with the parties in the dispute to assist them in coming to a mutually acceptable resolution. More information about mediation can be found in the Faculty Mediation Policy & Procedure (pdf).
These mechanisms are not necessarily mutually exclusive. A faculty member may request mediation and still file a grievance if the mediation does not result in a satisfactory solution. Filing a mediation “stops the clock” on the 60-day time limit for filing a grievance. However, once a grievance is filed, a faculty member cannot request mediation.
If you are considering either of these actions, please contact the University Faculty Grievance Officer:
David Simpson
Fifth Third Bank Professor of Community Development
426 W. Bloom Street
852-8019
e-mail
Grievance and Mediation Forms
University Discriminatory Harassment Policy
This policy also provides procedures relevant to faculty who believe they have been subject to discriminatory harassment by a supervisor.
