FACULTY HANDBOOK July 2009 - Morgan State University

PAGE 181 * Morgan State University Faculty Handbook3—10POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF A FACULTY MEMBER FORCAUSEI. Informal ProceedingsPrior to the initiation of formal proceedings, the Chairperson or theadministrator responsible for the academic area of the faculty member concerned(“Appointee”) should hold a conference with the Appointee to discuss the issue(s)of concern. If the Chairperson or administrator is unsuccessful in meeting withthe Appointee, the Dean should hold a conference with the Appointee. In certaincases, however, where the Appointee’s conduct (i.e., moral turpitude, professionalor scholarly misconduct, willful neglect of duty) is egregious, formal proceedingsmay be initiated whether or not informal proceedings have occurred.II. Formal ProceedingsA. Termination of a Faculty Appointment by the President.Upon the written recommendation of the Vice President for AcademicAffairs, the President of the University may terminate the appointmentof a tenured or tenure-track appointee for moral turpitude, professionalor scholarly misconduct, incompetency, or willful neglect of duty,provided that the charges be stated in writing, that the Appointee befurnished a copy thereof, and that the Appointee be given anopportunity prior to termination to be heard. Termination of a facultymember who is not tenured or tenure-track shall be governed solely bythe terms of the faculty member’s contract and any applicable Board ofRegents policies.B. Charges for Termination. The charges for termination (“Charges”)shall be stated in writing.C. Suspension– Pending final action of the President, the President maysuspend the Appointee with or without compensation. In the case of anAppointee suspended without compensation, the President shall includea determination as to whether the Appointee is entitled to backcompensation.D. Notice of Charges. The Appointee shall be given notice of the Charges.Said notice shall be delivered to the Appointee personally, or byregistered or certified mail to the last known home address of theAppointee.E. Hearing. Upon receipt of notice of the Charges, the Appointee shallhave fifteen (15) working days from the date the Appointee receivednotice from the Vice President for Academic Affairs to file with thePresident a written request for a hearing. Following receipt of theAppointee’s written request for a hearing, the President shall schedule ahearing within a reasonable period; except in circumstances where thebest interests of the University are at risk, the President shall schedule ahearing no sooner than fifteen (15) working days following receipt ofthe Appointee’s written request.1. The President shall appoint a hearing officer to serve asfinder of fact in the hearing on the charges for termination. If thehearing officer is appointed from University school of college, thehearing officer shall be appointed from a college or school other thanthat of the Appointee.