B. Revocation of Tenure

1. Revocation for Cause

   Revocation of tenure may occur for cause. Adequate cause involves the moral turpitude, incompetence, or felony conviction of the faculty member in his/her professional capacities as a teacher, adviser, or researcher/scholar/creative person.

2. Tenure Revocation Process

   Termination of a tenure appointment for cause will be preceded by a statement of specific reasons and by an opportunity to be heard by the Hearing Committee provided that the faculty member makes a written request to the chair of the Hearing Committee within thirty days of the receipt of notice.

3. The Role of the Hearing Committee in Tenure Revocation
   1. When a hearing on the revocation of tenure is requested by a faculty member, the Hearing Committee is convened.
   2. The hearing will be held within a reasonable period of time, and the following procedures will be observed.
      1. The Hearing Committee will establish that the faculty member concerned has been fully informed in writing as to the cause of separation
      2. He/she will be given the opportunity to be heard in his/her own defense.
      3. The testimony of witnesses will be taken and cross-examination permitted.
      4. He/she will be permitted to have an advisor but not an attorney present at all proceedings before the Hearing Committee. Though the testimony of witnesses may be taken and cross-examination permitted, the proceedings are to be construed as collegial rather than legal.
      5. At the request of the chair of the Hearing Committee, the provost and the president may provide testimony but may not otherwise participate
      6. If a faculty member’s competence to perform his or her duties is in question, the testimony may include that of a qualified teacher from this or other institutions of higher learning.
      7. An audio tape of all proceedings before the Hearing Committee will be kept and transmitted to the Office of the President.
      8. The decision of the Hearing Committee will be transmitted in writing to the faculty member concerned and to the provost and the president.
      9. The provost and the president will be bound by the decision of the Hearing Committee and will notify the members of the Hearing Committee and the faculty member concerned of the action to be taken in carrying out the decision.
      10. The Hearing Committee will be limited to a period of thirty (30) days for its deliberations and the transmittal of its decision by registered mail or certified mail to the faculty member concerned.
   3. A majority vote of the Hearing Committee will be regarded as the decision of the committee, and no minority report may be filed. The decision of the Hearing Committee will serve as a recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
   4. Until the decision of the Hearing Committee has been reached, the faculty member will be suspended only if there is danger of harm to self or others as a result of his/her continuance. If the contract is terminated, the faculty member will receive his/her salary for at least the period of notice to which he/she is entitled under University regulations. He/she will be continued in his duties for that period unless personal welfare or the interest of the University requires a leave of absence with pay; except in cases where his/her employment contract is terminated for cause, no salary will be paid after the effective date of the termination of the contract.