Procedure for Initiating, Screening, and Processing Full Time Faculty Concerns/Complaints

 

The Ombuds Advisory Committee (OmAC, aka Office of the Ombuds) with the support of the FA Council has developed these procedures to ensure fairness and clear processes for managing FA members' issues. Please review so you have an understanding of how your issue will be managed.

Faculty member (initiator) has an issue, concern, conflict, problem, or potential grievance related to his/her Working Conditions. 

1)     Office of the Ombuds is contacted either directly from a faculty member or referred from another campus constituent. Faculty member should contact the Ombudsperson for an informal consultation regarding issue prior to completing a Concern Review Request form. The information and discussion will remain CONFIDENTIAL to the extent permitted by law.

a.     Issue is Identified as:

                                               i.     Working conditions: compensation

                                             ii.     Working conditions: contractual

                                            iii.     Working conditions: personnel

1.     Faculty to faculty

2.     Faculty to administrator

                                            iv.     Working conditions: other

2)     As appropriate, Faculty member is directed to the Office of the Ombuds Website to complete a Concern Review Request form. The information will remain CONFIDENTIAL to the extent permitted by law as it is reviewed by the Ombuds Advisory Committee

3)     Faculty member to provide evidence/rationale of claim (i.e. provide information which details how issue is an alleged violation of WC and/or rights as an employee.) Faculty members should provide specific support of policy or procedural violation by including reference to WC Agreement, BP, AP, traditionally accepted past practice, etc.

4)     Faculty member to articulate desired options for resolution

5)     Once received, the Ombuds Advisory Committee reviews and discusses. As appropriate OmAC:

a.     Requests more information and/or in-person interview with faculty member

b.     Assesses options that are in the best interest of the initiator and the Faculty Assembly

c.     Identifies other district personnel or campus constituents and/or external resources that may need to be consulted

d.     Routes issue to appropriate area for resolution (e.g. Academic Senate President, FA President, Human Resources)

                                               i.     If this course of action is taken, OmAC will stay informed of process and act as resource as needed

e.     Provides options/resources to resolve through established FA processes; OmAC works with faculty member, conducts research, interviews, etc. and keeps record of all documentation. Resolution may come in the form of:

                                               i.     In-House Mediation

                                             ii.     Filing of Grievance

                                            iii.     FA to District MOU/Side Letter

                                            iv.     Sunshine for future Contract Negotiation

                                              v.     Other

6)     Issues brought to OmAC are communicated as necessary by the Ombudsperson to the Faculty Assembly President

a.     Ombudsperson communicates OmAC's dialogue to FA President

b.     FA President offers feedback, consulting with FA Exec Council as he/she deems appropriate

c.     OmAC communicates with Faculty member and documents progress throughout the process to resolve conflict

d.     Ombudsperson reports resolution to FA President

e.     Ombudsperson makes recommendations for improvement to policy/procedure to avoid future issues