Reasons for Dismissal of Tenured Faculty

No. 8-25 Rev. 7-13-99 Date 5-13-81 (formerly 8-15)

 

POLICY

 

Appointment to a tenured position is considered permanent and not subject to termination or substantial reduction in status, except under those circumstances discussed herein.

A tenured faculty member may be involuntarily terminated for the following reasons:

A. Cause

Continuation of academic tenure requires maintenance of reasonable care in the faculty member's performance as a teacher and scholar and performance pursuant to the standards described in PPMs 9-3 through 9-8. Failure to abide by such standards shall be considered reason for disciplinary proceedings. Dismissals for cause shall be made only after proper investigation by the administrative officers of the institution, committee hearings as outlined in PPMs 9-9 through 9-17, if requested, and action by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the president.

B. Medical Incapacity

A tenured faculty member may be dismissed or given a contract with substantially reduced status for medical incapacity which does not allow the faculty member to perform duties and responsibilities. Procedures shall follow those described in PPM 9-16.

C. Institutional Financial Exigencies

A tenured faculty member may be dismissed or given a contract with substantially reduced status for demonstrated institutional financial exigencies. Procedures shall follow those described in PPM 9-16.

D. Discontinuance of Program

A tenured faculty member may be dismissed or given a contract with substantially reduced status in the event of a bonafide discontinuance of a program or department of instruction. Procedures shall follow those described in PPM 9-16.

E. Retirement

Upon a faculty member's retirement, that individual may continue to serve without tenure upon invitation of the institution; however, service may be terminated at any time following the completion of the faculty member's last (most recent) annual contract.