Termination of Faculty Employment

The UNC Policy Manual
Chapter 100.1 - The Code
Section 605

CODE

SECTION 605.                   TERMINATION OF FACULTY EMPLOYMENT.

605 A.   Definition.

The tenure policies and regulations of each institution shall provide that the employment of faculty members with permanent tenure or of faculty members appointed to a fixed term may be terminated by the institution because of (1) demonstrable, bona fide institutional financial exigency or (2) major curtailment or elimination of a teaching, research, or public-service program. "Financial exigency" is defined as a significant decline in the financial resources of the institution that is brought about by decline in institutional enrollment or by other action or events that compel a reduction in the institution's current operations budget. The determination of whether a condition of financial exigency exists or whether there shall be a major curtailment or elimination of a teaching, research, or public-service program shall be made by the chancellor, after consulting with the academic administrative officers and faculties as required by Section 605C (1), subject to the concurrence by the President and then approval by the Board of Governors. If the financial exigency or curtailment or elimination of program is such that the institution's contractual obligation to a faculty member may not be met, the employment of the faculty member may be terminated in accordance with institutional procedures that afford the faculty member a fair hearing on that decision.13

605 B.   Timely Notice of Termination.

(1)        When a faculty member's employment is to be terminated because of major curtailment or elimination of a teaching, research, or public-service program and such curtailment or elimination of program is not founded upon financial exigency, the faculty member shall be given timely notice as follows:

(a)          one who has permanent tenure shall be given not less than 12 months' notice; and

(b)          one who was appointed to a fixed term and does not have permanent tenure shall be given notice in accordance with the requirements specified in Section 604 A(1).

(2)          When a faculty member's employment is to be terminated because of financial exigency, the institution will make every reasonable effort, consistent with the need to maintain sound educational programs and within the limits of available resources, to give the same notice as set forth in Section 605 B(1).

(3)           For a period of two years after the effective date of termination of a facultymember's contract for any of the reasons specified in Section 605 A, the institution shall not replace the faculty member without first offering the position to the person whose employment was terminated.  The offer shall be made by a method of delivery that requires a signature for delivery, and the faculty member will be given 30 calendar days after attempted delivery of the notice to accept or reject the offer.

605 C.    Institutional Procedures.

 The institution shall establish regulations governing termination procedures. These regulations shall include provisions incorporating the following requirements: 

(1)     If it appears that the institution will experience an institutional financial exigency or needs seriously to consider a major curtailment or elimination of a teaching, research, or public-service program, the chancellor or chancellor’s delegate shall first seek the advice and recommendations of the academic administrative officers and faculties of the departments or other units that might be affected.  

(2)          In determining which faculty member's employment is to be terminated for reasons set forth in Section 605 A, the chancellor shall give consideration to tenure status, to years of service to the institution, and to other factors deemed relevant, but the primary consideration shall be the maintenance of a sound and balanced educational program that is consistent with the functions and responsibilities of the institution.

(3)          An individual faculty member whose employment is to be terminated shall be notified of this fact in writing. This notice shall include a statement of the conditions requiring termination of employment, a general description of the procedures followed in making the decision, and a disclosure of pertinent financial or other data upon which the decision was based.

(4)          A reconsideration procedure shall be provided that affords the faculty member whose employment is to be terminated a fair hearing on the termination if the faculty member alleges that the decision to terminate was arbitrary or capricious.

(5)          The institution, when requested by the faculty member, shall give reasonable assistance in finding other employment for a faculty member whose employment has been terminated.

(6)          A faculty member whose employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 605 may appeal the reconsideration decision to the board of trustees of the constituent institution.