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Committee on Reconciliation

The Committee on Reconciliation offers advice and counsel to faculty members who seek it, particularly in relation to disputes with immediate supervisors or university administrators.

The Committee on Reconciliation offers advice and counsel to faculty members who seek it, particularly in relation to disputes with immediate supervisors or university administrators. The committee has a designated role within the grievance process to assist in resolving disputes that are eligible for consideration as a grievance if so requested by the faculty member, and can help facilitate conversations between faculty members and their supervisors with the goal of reaching mutually agreeable solutions. Faculty members may also consult the committee regarding serious disagreements with immediate supervisors or other university administrators over issues that are not eligible for consideration within the grievance process. In contrast to the Faculty Review Committee, the Committee on Reconciliation operates informally as a facilitator, similar to the University Ombuds Office. It meets with the respective parties to determine if there is common ground for resolution of the matter, facilitating a solution that is agreeable to the principal parties and consistent with university policy and practice.

The Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation is composed of eight tenured faculty members eligible for membership in the Faculty Senate. Faculty appointed to administrative positions with responsibility for recommending promotions, salary adjustments, and distribution of teaching, research, and Extension assignments are ineligible for membership.

The function of this committee is to offer advice and counsel to faculty members who seek it, particularly in relation to disputes with immediate supervisors or university administrators. The committee has a designated role within the grievance process described in the Faculty Handbook  to assist in resolving disputes that are eligible for consideration as a grievance if so requested by the faculty member. The Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation can help facilitate conversations between faculty members and their supervisors with the goal of reaching mutually agreeable solutions. See the relevant grievance procedure in the Faculty Handbook for guidance on valid and ineligible issues for grievance that define the committee’s purview in relation to the grievance process.

Faculty members who wish to engage the assistance of the committee in the context of a potential grievance submit their request concurrently to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the chair of the Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation within 30 calendar days of the time when the faculty member knew, or should have known, of the event or action that is the basis for the potential grievance. The Executive Vice President and Provost automatically grants a 60-day postponement of grievance timelines for the Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation to attempt to resolve the complaint between the parties.

In addition, faculty members may consult the Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation concerning serious disagreements with immediate supervisors or other university administrators regarding issues that are not eligible for consideration within the grievance process. In such instances, the committee contacts the relevant administrator to determine if there is an interest and willingness to explore informal resolution of the dispute. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost need not be notified to initiate discussions with the committee in such instances.

Cooperation and candor from all members of the university community are prerequisite to the successful functioning of the Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation in investigating serious and delicate circumstances. Confidential information concerning personnel and academic issues may be shared with the committee. The committee keeps no written records and treats all matters with utmost sensitivity. In conducting its work, the Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation takes special measures to assure that participating members have no conflict of interest in the matter.

In contrast to the Faculty Senate Review Committee, which has responsibility for formally investigating a grievance through hearings, calling witnesses, and collecting and assessing evidence prior to rendering its judgment, the Faculty Senate Committee on Reconciliation operates informally as a facilitator. It meets with the respective parties to determine if there is common ground for resolution of the matter, facilitating a solution that is agreeable to the principal parties and consistent with university policy and practice.

Generally, the faculty member initiates the request for assistance of the committee; however, an administrator may seek the committee’s involvement in resolving a dispute with a faculty member. Both parties to the dispute must agree to be participants in the reconciliation process. If no resolution is reached, the matter everts to formal review as part of the grievance process if the matter is eligible for such consideration.

Members of the Committee on Reconciliation are:

Chair: Robin Queen (Interim)

Member: Vacant

Member: Vacant

Member: Vacant

Member: Vacant

Member: Vacant

Member: Vacant

Member: Vacant