Summary of Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures

This summary is a brief overview and does not replace the appropriate policies and procedures. In case of conflict between this summary and the formal policies and procedures, the formal policies and procedures will govern. The relevant policies are:

The UC system-wide Senate Bylaws 334-337.

The UC Riverside Senate Bylaws, Appendix 5

Before filing a grievance or a disciplinary complaint, Senate members should carefully review the applicable UCR and UC Senate bylaws (referenced above) for information and guidance about procedures. Individuals who decide to file a written grievance or a disciplinary complaint will be asked to identify the relevant UC policies that pertain to the case. I.e., for a grievance, what codified faculty rights are alleged to have been violated; for a charge, what section of the Faculty Code of Conduct is alleged to have been violated?

Read the Grievance Process Flowchart as text

Senate Bylaw 335 Grievance Process Flowchart, Revised 10.23.26 (Senate Bylaw 335 (opens in new tab))

  1. Grievance initiated: the grievant files a grievance alleging violation of rights or privileges (SBL 335.B).
  2. Prima facie review: the Privilege and Tenure Committee determines whether the grievant made a prima facie case (SBL 335.B.2).
    • No prima facie case: the Committee advises the grievant in writing (SBL 335.B.4). The process ends.
    • Prima facie case: the Committee conducts a preliminary review of the evidence (SBL 335.B.3), and the respondent is notified of the grievance.
  3. After the preliminary review:
    • Insufficient reason: the Committee advises the grievant in writing (SBL 335.B.4). The process ends.
    • Sufficient reason: the Committee advises the Chancellor or designee and attempts informal resolution (SBL 335.B.5).
  4. Informal resolution:
    • Resolution achieved: the process ends.
    • No resolution:
      1. A Hearing Committee is appointed and a hearing scheduled (SBL 335.B.5, 335.D.1).
      2. A pre-hearing conference is held (SBL 335.D.2).
      3. A formal hearing is conducted (SBL 335.D).
      4. Written findings and recommendation are sent to the parties and the Chancellor (SBL 335.D.8).

Key notes and deadlines

  • Filing timeframe: no grievance may be considered by the Committee if more than three years have passed between the time the grievant knew or should have known about the violation of his/her rights and privileges and the resulting injury therefrom, and the filing of a grievance with the Committee.
  • Informal resolution: encouraged at all stages of the procedure (SBL 335.C).
  • General deadlines: except for the initial filing deadline and pre-hearing conference scheduling, most steps carry no specific formal deadline under the regulations.

Jurisdiction of the Committees

The Academic Senate Committee on Privilege and Tenure is guided by the UC system-wide Senate Bylaws 334-337. The Committee deals with four distinct categories of cases: grievance cases (SBL 335), where a member of the Senate claims injury through the violation of his/her rights and privileges; grievance cases where an eligible non-Senate academic appointee claims injury through violation of their academic freedom rights (SBL 335) [A list of eligible non-Senate academic titles is maintained by the Division’s APO]; disciplinary cases (SBL 336), where a member of the Senate is accused of having violated the Faculty Code of Conduct; and early termination cases (SBL 337), where a Senate or non-Senate faculty member challenges whether there is good cause for his/her early termination.

Below are issues to consider in determining whether the conduct or circumstance at issue should be initiated as a grievance filed directly with the Committee on Privilege and Tenure or a disciplinary complaint (charge) that must proceed first through administrative channels and the Charges Committee.

What is the Difference Between a Grievance and a Disciplinary Complaint (Charge)?

Grievance

Any member of the Academic Senate may grieve to P&T that his or her rights or privileges as a faculty member have been violated. Grievances generally involve the alleged violation of a Senate member's right to fair procedures and due process or the alleged violation of a University policy that deprives the Senate member of a right or privilege (see SBL 335). Additionally, non-Senate academic appointees may bring grievances alleging violations of their academic freedom rights to the Privilege and Tenure committee using the procedures in Senate Bylaw 335. The UCR Academic Personnel Office should be contacted to confirm eligible non-Senate academic titles.

Disciplinary Complaint (Charge)

The Faculty Code of Conduct (APM 015 and related sections of the APM) outlines the ethical principles and standards of professional conduct that guide faculty behavior in regard to teaching and students, scholarship, the university, colleagues, and the community. Some examples of violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct include:

  • violation of the canons of intellectual honesty
  • significant failure to meet classes
  • harassment of students or colleagues.

A complaint that alleges violation of the Faculty Code of Conduct can be initiated by a faculty member, a student, or a member of the administration. The complaint is filed with the campus administration, under the procedures outlined in UCR's Senate Bylaws, Appendix 5. Complaints are considered by the Academic Senate Charges Committee when forwarded to that committee by the office of the Chancellor. If the Charges Committee finds that there is probable cause to warrant a disciplinary proceeding, the case proceeds via the office of the Chancellor to the Committee on Privilege and Tenure for a disciplinary hearing, under procedures in SBL 336.