1. LSU Faculty Grievance Committee What it can do (and what it cannot do)
Arthur Penn
School of Veterinary Medicine
8-9760
After many yrs in academic life and having colleagues at many acad. Inst, it is clear to me that most Univ faculty and nearly all new faculty have no idea what are the Univ rules/regs on issues that can directly affect their employment and carrying out their duties.
It is also clear that while many people in many different jobs, in and out of the Univ, feel aggrieved at one time or another, univ faculty for the most part have no idea a) how the system works and b) that a formal grievance system exists.

2. Check out LSU Policy Statements
There are 119 PSs currently listed by PS Title and by Functional Classifications (28/119 are listed under the FC-Faculty and Staff Employment).
Topics include EO, Disciplinary Procedures, Nepotism, Dismissal for Cause, CoI, Sexual Harassment and most importantly for Faculty– PS-36T, which covers hiring, reviews, T&P.
NB: Dep’t. Chairs/Heads should become familiar with the PSs to be sure they don’t violate any of the Ps.

3. If you feel you have been wronged…
After checking with colleagues here and elsewhere and remaining convinced that you have a case, and have exhausted all reasonable possibilities, one option is to file a grievance.
The LSU Faculty Grievance Committee, which I chair, has 9 members + 1 alternate (all tenured) representing different colleges at LSU-BR. I will provide Kevin with a list of GC members that can be ed to you.

4. What can the GC do (and not do)
The GC cannot deal with substantive issues- e.g. were you denied tenure unfairly, were you sexually harassed, have you misused the system, etc.
The GC deals with violations of procedure (or, due process); i.e. whether the University followed its stated policies in judging your case.
(or, whether it made arbitrary decisions in violation of its stated policies).

5. Who cares?
Q: If the GC cannot deal with the substance of my case, what difference does it make if there is a violation of due process?
A: Due process is a big deal (see Amendments 5 & 14 of the US Constitution) and the parties to a case, in court or in the university, should be concerned about due process.

6. If I file a grievance, what happens?
The GC meets and decides whether we support your claim. Regardless of whether we agree that your grievance has merit or that it doesn’t, we send a letter to the Provost supporting the GC’s decision. After that, it’s up to the Provost.
The GC is advisory.

7. How do I file a Grievance?
Don’t go to PS-80 (Grievance Procedures for Professional, Other Academic, and Classified Employees). Line 4 of the General Policy states “PS-80 does not apply to faculty”.
Contact me, or another member of the GC. If we encourage you to proceed, notify the relevant university official(s), submit a formal letter to the GC and the relevant official(s). We will try to meet and make a decision expeditiously.

8. What if my grievance is supported by the GC but not by the Provost?
Reassess your situation. If you still feel aggrieved then…
contact an attorney.