From the Senate Office |
|
October 15, 2013, Volume 60, No. 9 |
Faculty Senate Grievance Commission
Annual Report 2012-2013
The Faculty Senate Grievance Commission of the University of Pennsylvania is an independent committee consisting of three faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. This Commission is available to members of the Penn faculty and academic support staff who allege they have been subject to action that is contrary to University procedures, policies and/or regulations, that is discriminatory, or that is arbitrary. During the Academic Year 2012-2013, the Commission was composed of David Asch (Medicine, Past Chair), Robert Hollebeek (Physics and Astronomy, Chair) and Martha Curley (Nursing, Chair-Elect).
During the year, the Commission was approached by seven members of the faculty, five of whom had been denied either promotion or a continued appointment. Two additional cases involved more senior faculty.
In each case, the individuals had several initial discussions with the chair of the Commission about the grievance process, the circumstances of the case, discussions about clarifying the issues that might be grounds for a grievance and discussions about the procedures for submitting a formal grievance letter. In several cases, the Commission chair pursued additional information from the potential grievant’s department or dean.
In one case, the Commission as a whole reviewed the case in detail, each reaching an independent conclusion about the merits. In all other cases, the chair consulted the other members of the Commission for a consensus after reaching a decision about whether the case should result in a hearing panel. No cases were forwarded to a hearing. One case remains outstanding for consideration in the coming year.
—Robert Hollebeek (Grievance Commission Chair, 2012-2013)
Related: Senate: SEC Agenda |