a. Confidential Conference
When a problem arises regarding the implementation or interpretation of the Institute's policies and procedures as they pertain to a member of the faculty or regarding the performance or conduct of a faculty member, unless the matter is of a serious nature and personal contact with the person(s) involved would be objectionable to the faculty member, the faculty member should discuss the problem with the person(s) involved in private conference and attempt to resolve the matter by mutual consent. Any such private conference shall be confidential; however, the faculty member may elect not to keep the matter and/or the private conference confidential. The term "confidential" shall mean that the Institute shall be sensitive to and respect the private nature of the communications which may be involved in connection with a problem resolution matter. However, the Institute reserves the right to disclose the information obtained in connection with a problem resolution matter to any individual or agency, if the Institute determines that disclosure of such information is necessary in order to adhere to any law or policy governing the Institute.
If the matter is not so resolved, and the matter does not involve the faculty member’s department chair or dean, within 30 calendar days from the date the faculty member knew (or should have known) that a problem had arisen, the faculty member may request in writing ("advisory request") that the department chair, director, or dean attempt to resolve the matter. The advisory request shall be delivered by the faculty member to the provost. The provost shall deliver the advisory request to the department chair, director, or dean within 14 calendar days of the date of its delivery to the provost.
If the matter is not so resolved, and the matter involves the faculty member’s department chair, director, or dean, within 30 calendar days from the date the faculty member knew (or should have known) that a problem had arisen, the faculty member may request in writing that the provost attempt to resolve the matter. The advisory request shall be delivered by the faculty member to the provost. In such situations, the provost shall not deliver the advisory request to the faculty member’s department chair, director, or dean.