Committee on Faculty Ethics

Committee Membership
All members of the Committee on Faculty Ethics hold tenure or continued appointments. The committee is composed of:

            i.     one faculty member from each college
            ii.     one from the University Libraries faculty
            iii.     one from the Extension faculty.

The president of the Faculty Senate, with the advice of the senate cabinet, appoints committee members. The senate president designates one committee member to serve as chair. Quorum of the Committee on Faculty Ethics consists of two-thirds of the appointed members.

Committee Procedures
Complaints about alleged violations of faculty ethics may be sent by any member of the university community, in writing, to the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Ethics.  If the complaint is about the Chair, the complainant should notify the Faculty Senate president of the intent to file a complaint. The Faculty Senate president shall inform the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Ethics of the need to recuse themselves and shall name a new Chair in accordance with the Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws.

A written complaint must include the nature of the alleged violation, the affected parties, and any substantiating evidence that the concerned party possesses (relevant communications, publications, public documents, etc.). Upon receiving the complaint, the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Ethics shall confer with university legal counsel to determine if the issue should proceed to the Committee on Faculty Ethics or another office at the university. If it is not deemed a legal matter, the Chair of the Committee on Faculty Ethics shall bring the matter to the Committee and inform the Faculty Senate president that a complaint has been reviewed by legal counsel and the Committee is commencing work. The Committee shall decide the case. There are three possible outcomes:

            i.         The issue does not fall within the charge of the Committee, and the complainant is informed that they should seek resolution by other entities at the university; 
            ii.         The Committee does not believe the behavior constitutes an ethical violation and votes to take no further action. This decision is communicated to the Faculty Senate president, the complainant, the accused faculty member;
            iii.         The Committee decides there is evidence that a violation may have been committed and additional investigation is necessary.  The Committee conducts the investigation.  The Committee decides what documentation and/or interviews will be needed. Following the investigation, the Committee votes on recommendations for further action.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the Chair of the Committee notifies the Faculty Senate president, the complainant, and the accused faculty member that the investigation has concluded. The accused faculty member is informed of the Committee’s decision. If the Committee recommends any sanctions, this decision is communicated to the provost.