The Student-Faculty Committee on Grievances receives, investigates, and attempts to informally resolve complaints or grievances against faculty.
The committee and its procedures were originally designated by the State Board of Higher Education via OAR 571-03-0006. This became a University of Oregon policy by operation of law on July 1, 2014. It is available in the University of Oregon Policy Library.
Charge and Responsibilities
The charge and responsibilities are articulated in detail in UO Policy 571.03-0006 and that policy should be consulted prior to any work to ensure compliance with timelines and relevant procedures. General responsibilities are articulated below.
The Student-Faculty Committee on Grievances shall make itself readily accessible to all members of the University community, and shall determine in each case whether a particular grievance falls within its jurisdiction
(a) The charge to the Committee shall be to receive complaints or grievances against faculty, either officers of instruction or officers of administration, arising out of their responsibilities as officers of the institution; and
(b) To investigate and review these complaints or grievances on an informal manner, affording full opportunity to the concerned parties to be heard; and
(c) To attempt to resolve differences or adjust grievances in an amicable fashion consistent with the understanding of the parties and the best interests of the University; and
(d) To issue such findings and recommendations (furnishing copies to the persons concerned) to either the President (if the grievance was initiated by a faculty member) or the appropriate Vice-President (if the grievance was initiated by a student) as appear appropriate under the circumstances;
(e) Referral to the Committee shall not suspend any applicable grievance time lines.
Membership
There are currently no appointed members of the Student-Faculty Grievance Committee. Members will be appointed as needed to review and investigate a complaint or grievance.
Membership Requirements
The Student-Faculty Committee on Grievances shall be composed of an equal number of students and faculty appointed by the President.
No person involved as a party to the grievance or as a participant in either the informal resolution efforts or the decision-making at Step One of the formal grievance process shall serve on the Student-Faculty Committee on Grievances when it considers a grievance under Step Two of UO’s Grievance Procedures.
Leadership Structure
a) Chair: elected from the committee membership
b) Convener: Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
c) Staff: Office of the Provost
Election of Chair
The Chair is elected at the first committee meeting.
Length of Term
a) Non-Students: 2 years, staggered
b) Students: 1 year
c) Ex Officio: N/A
Term Limits
There are no term limits for committee members.
Frequency of Meetings
The committee meets as needed (case-by-case).
Reporting Deadline(s)
The committee shall provide a report to the Administration and to the University Senate. At a minimum the report to the University Senate shall be in the form of an annual written report submitted by the Committee Chair to the Senate Executive Coordinator no later than the final University Senate meeting of the academic year. The committee shall also make additional written or oral reports to the Senate as necessary.
Contact
Office of the Provost, provost@uoregon.edu