Faculty Boards of Review Uniform Standards

Scope

This policy applies to all full‑time academic appointees. Visiting, part-time, temporary, and adjunct academic appointees are eligible only during the term of their appointment, and campus procedures may limit the scope of review available to them or provide a separate grievance process.  

A foundational principle of Indiana University is its enduring partnership across its units, including faculty and librarians, to collectively advance the institution's mission. The establishment, revision, and retirement of academic policies will occur with consultation and input from the University Faculty Council.   

Notwithstanding the following provisions of this policy and pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 21-38-11, faculty governance organization actions are advisory only.   

This policy shall supersede all campus, school and college, program, department, center, institute, and unit policies on any core or regional campuses of Indiana University.   

This policy does not apply to student academic appointees (SAAs).  

This policy does not govern complaints and appeals addressed in:  

• ACA-30: Research Misconduct  

• UA-03: Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct  

• UA-22: Employee Relationships Involving Students  

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Policy Statement

A Faculty Board of Review (FBR) is a campus‑level peer review body available to all eligible academic appointees. Its fundamental responsibilities are to review complaints regarding adverse actions affecting academic appointees and to hear appeals of sanctions imposed as a result of misconduct determinations or post-tenure productivity reviews under applicable policies. An FBR serves as the final stage of peer review. Proceedings before an FBR are a peer review process, not a trial. In consultation with the parties and relevant offices, the FBR may, at its discretion, resolve a complaint based on document review and written submissions or by convening a hearing.  

Procedural Independence and Safeguards   

Responsibility for presenting each party’s case rests with the complainant and the respondent. An FBR acts independently and does not issue judgments. It makes recommendations to appropriate university officials regarding complaints or appeals and does not serve as an advocate for either the complainant or the respondent.    

No university official may interfere with or attempt to influence an FBR, nor may a university official halt FBR proceedings unless expressly provided for in this policy. In all cases, the FBR retains responsibility for making independent decisions regarding how best to proceed.    

Individuals serving on the FBR must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest to the board chair. Before the review begins, the FBR’s membership will be shared with the parties. Either party may object to a member for cause, and the board chair will consider any objections when determining the final composition of the FBR.  

Confidentiality   

All FBR proceedings are closed and confidential. Confidentiality applies to all aspects of the review process, including records, findings, recommendations, and any consultations related to the review.    

Any consultations with individuals outside the FBR—limited to procedural, background, or policy matters not involving the merits of a complaint—must maintain confidentiality. Except for deliberations, FBR proceedings will be recorded, preserved, and made available only to FBR members, the parties, and appropriate administrators, in accordance with university policies governing access to academic appointee records.    

The findings and recommendations of the FBR will be shared only with the parties and appropriate administrators.   

Cases Involving Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct  

In cases involving discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, or other matters where sensitive issues, specialized knowledge, or legal requirements may apply, the university will provide appropriate training and information to FBR members, including training from a university Title IX officer.   

Advisors   

Complainants may receive assistance from faculty peers and/or legal counsel. Seated members of the FBR may not provide assistance. Advisors may attend hearings and consult with the complainant but may not participate directly unless permitted by campus procedures or expressly authorized by the FBR in a specific case.   

Eligibility to File   

Complaints must be filed with the complainant’s academic home campus.  

Any eligible academic appointee may file a complaint or appeal involving adverse actions, including those arising from allegations or findings of misconduct under applicable university conduct policies, or other matters within the scope of their academic responsibilities.   

A full-time academic appointee may initiate or continue an FBR proceeding following voluntary or involuntary separation from the university, provided the proceeding is timely and consistent with the terms of any separation agreement.    

Visiting, part-time, temporary, and adjunct academic appointees may file complaints or appeals concerning adverse actions that occur during their term of appointment and that fall within the scope of their academic responsibilities, including alleged infringements on academic freedom. Decisions not to appoint or reappoint are not subject to the complaint or appeal process unless the decision violates the terms of the appointment. Campus procedures may limit the scope of review available to visiting, part-time, temporary and adjunct appointees, and/or may provide a separate grievance process for them.   

Matters Subject to Review   

Complaints or appeals may include, but are not limited to, adverse actions related to:   

• Academic freedom   

• Dismissal   

• Disciplinary sanctions   

• Tenure or promotion decisions   

• Compensation   

• Assignment of duties   

• Working conditions   

• Post-tenure productivity review  

Annual reviews are not eligible for complaints or appeals through the FBR. See BOT-24: Academic Appointee Annual and Post-Tenure Productivity Reviews.  

Complaints or appeals that are the subject of a legal proceeding cannot be simultaneously considered by an FBR.   

Limits of Review Authority   

For complaints or appeals involving the denial of tenure, promotion, or re-appointment, an FBR may not make a judgment on the academic contribution to the discipline. Review in such cases is limited to determining whether:   

• Appropriate policies and procedures were followed   

• Adequate consideration was given to the qualifications of the eligible academic appointee   

• Information was improperly considered or excluded in a manner that substantially affected the decision   

• Essential fairness was maintained throughout the decision-making process   

Informal Resolution   

Before filing a complaint or appeal or requesting an FBR, an academic appointee adversely affected by a university determination must first attempt to resolve the matter informally.   

Administration and Proceedings   

Each campus will designate a standing board coordinator for all FBRs. The board coordinator may be a member and/or chair of the FBR, a representative of the campus faculty governance organization, or a staff member.    

The board coordinator is responsible for administrative functions, which could include, but is not limited to, receiving and distributing complaints and responses, arranging proceedings or hearings, maintaining records, and distributing reports.   

FBR proceedings must ensure that all parties have the opportunity to be present—either in person or virtually—to participate fully, and to respond to all evidence presented to the FBR.   

In consultation with both parties and relevant offices, the FBR may, at its discretion, resolve a complaint through document review and written submissions or through a hearing. 

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Reason for Policy

This policy establishes the role of a Faculty Board of Review as an independent, campus level peer review body available to eligible academic appointees to review complaints concerning adverse actions and to hear appeals of sanctions imposed under applicable university conduct policies, as required by the Constitution of the Indiana University Faculty. It ensures that these matters are addressed through a fair and objective peer review process and that university officials are held to fair and consistent standards.

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Procedures

Complaints and Appeals 

Requests for Review   

1. Requests for review by an FBR must be submitted in writing to the board coordinator.   
2. Each request must:    
   1. Identify the specific adverse administrative action(s) being challenged or sanction being appealed  
   2. Explain the basis for requesting the review  

Faculty Board of Review Composition   

1. An FBR will consist of at least five individuals who:    
   1. Are tenured, tenure-track, or non-tenure-track academic appointees on long-term appointments  
   2. Are elected by the faculty or the relevant campus faculty governance organization  
2. The majority of FBR members, including the chair, must be tenured.   
3. An academic appointee holding a full-time administrative appointment is not eligible to serve on an FBR.   

Attendance and Representation at Hearings   

1. Attendance at FBR hearings is limited to:    
   1. The parties  
   2. Their designated advisors, including attorneys  
   3. Authorized witnesses  
   4. The board coordinator  

Required Campus Procedures for Reviewing Complaints and Appeals 

Each campus FBR must have procedures that include:   

1. A written complaint or appeal.  
2. A preliminary review of the complaint or appeal.  
3. A written response from the individual(s) whose action(s) are the subject of the complaint or appeal.   
4. Adequate time for both parties to prepare their cases.   
5. An opportunity for the complainant or respondent to be heard.   
6. A written report and recommendation by the FBR.   
7. A decision by the chancellor and/or the chief academic officer.   

Complaints 

Initiation and Timing   

1. Complaints should be filed within 60 business days of the date the complainant is notified of the adverse administrative action.   
2. A complaint submitted after 60 business days must include an explanation for the delay. The FBR may, at its discretion, consider a late complaint.   
3. Upon receipt of a complaint, the board coordinator will:    
4. Provide a copy to the parties named in the complaint  
5. Submit the complaint to the full FBR  
6. Schedule the proceedings if directed by the FBR  

Preliminary Review and Possible Dismissal   

1. Campus procedures may provide that:    
   1. All complaints are heard by the FBR, or   
   2. A preliminary review is conducted by the FBR or the board chair   
2. A preliminary review may determine that a complaint:    
   1. Should be dismissed because the FBR determined the complaint does not merit further review; or   
   2. Requires revision  
3. A complaint may not be dismissed without first giving the complainant an opportunity to address the reason for dismissal and to make any necessary corrections.   
4. The FBR may, at its discretion, refer a complaint for review under another applicable university policy when the complaint is outside the scope of the FBR or has not followed the procedures required in another policy (e.g., ACA-30, UA-03).  
5. If no further action is warranted, both parties will be notified in writing.  

Evidence and Information Gathering   

1. The FBR or the complainant may request written statements and documents from university officials that are relevant to the complaint. All such requests must be made through the board coordinator and board chair.  
2. University officials must:    
   1. Provide the requested materials within the time allowed for case preparation, or   
   2. Submit a written explanation to the FBR explaining why they are unable to do so 

Complaint Hearings   

1. Each party may:    
   1. Present their case  
   2. Present documents and written witness statements  
   3. Call witnesses  
   4. Question witnesses  
2. The FBR may call witnesses at its discretion but is not required to do so.   
3. The formal rules of evidence do not apply.   
4. Parties may not exclude evidence presented by the other side.   
5. The FBR may limit questioning or argument that is irrelevant, repetitive, or intended to harass or embarrass a witness.   
6. The FBR has discretion to consider information it deems relevant and appropriate, whether anonymous, unsolicited, or solicited.   
7. Each campus will establish procedures for:    
   1. Requesting accommodations for participants who require assistance  
   2. Establishing time limits for each stage of the review process that provide adequate time for participation while discouraging unnecessary delays   

Findings, Recommendations, and Appeals of Final Decision   

1. At the conclusion of the proceedings or hearing, the FBR will prepare a written report that includes:    
   1. A summary of the complaint and response   
   2. A review of the evidence  
2. The FBR’s findings and recommendations  
3. Copies of any documents relied upon in reaching its recommendations  
4. The report will be submitted to the board coordinator and distributed to the parties.   
5. The report will also be provided to the chancellor and/or CAO for a final determination, who will share it with relevant university offices, as appropriate.  
6. If the chancellor’s and/or CAO’s final determination does not follow the FBR’s recommendations, the chancellor and/or CAO must provide the FBR and the executive committee of the campus faculty governance organization with a written explanation of the reasons for the determination.   
7. The complainant has the right to make a final appeal to the university President within 15 business days after receiving notice of the chancellor and/or CAO’s final determination.  

Appeals  

Initiation and Timing 

1. Appeals should be filed within 60 business days of the date the complainant is notified of the sanction.   
2. An appeal submitted after 60 business days must include an explanation for the delay. The FBR may, at its discretion, consider a late complaint.  

Preliminary Review and Possible Dismissal   

The FBR’s jurisdiction is limited to determining whether the imposed sanction(s) were appropriate based on the record before it.   

Evidence Review   

For this review, the FBR will be provided with all relevant reports, decisions, and recommendations previously prepared by university officials and will have access to all relevant materials gathered by university investigators.  

Each party may submit a written statement to the FBR, either on their own behalf or through an advisor.  

Hearing   

Only the FBR may pose questions to any individual who provides a statement. Parties are not permitted to conduct questioning. The FBR, at its discretion, may present questions on behalf of the parties, including those submitted in advance.  

Recommendations and Appeal   

1. At the conclusion of the review, the FBR will prepare a written report of its findings and recommendations. The FBR will issue recommendations that either:    
   1. Affirm the university’s sanction(s)   
   2. Recommend alternative sanction(s)   
   3. Recommend that the sanction(s) be overturned, or   
   4. Recommend that a new investigation be conducted due to a significant error in the original investigation  
2. The report will be submitted to the board coordinator and distributed to the parties.  
3. The report will also be provided to the chancellor and/or CAO, who will share it with relevant university offices, as appropriate.  
4. If the chancellor’s and/or CAO’s final determination does not follow the FBR’s recommendations, the chancellor and/or CAO must provide the FBR and the executive committee of the campus faculty governance organization with a written explanation of the reasons for the determination.  
5. The complainant has the right to make a final appeal to the university President within 15 business days after receiving notice of the chancellor and/or CAO’s final determination.  

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Definitions

Academic Appointee: An individual covered by BOT-06: Classification of Academic Appointments, including post-doctoral fellows; visiting, adjunct and acting faculty; academic specialists; and emeritus faculty. It does not include Student Academic Appointees covered by ACA-16: Student Academic Appointments.  

Academic Home: The campus responsible for an academic appointee’s appointment, promotion, and/or tenure.   

Academic Unit: A college or school, department, program, division or similar entity in which one or more academic appointees hold their primary appointment.   

Board Chair: A tenured member who serves as the leader of a Faculty Board of Review, guiding its work and ensuring the Faculty Board of Review fulfills its responsibilities. The Board Chair leads meetings, sets meeting agendas, facilitates decision-making processes, and serves as the primary liaison between a Faculty Board of Review and campus administrative officials.   

Board Coordinator: An individual who manages the administrative and procedural tasks that support a Faculty Board of Review, such as scheduling meetings, preparing materials, maintaining records, and disseminates communications at the direction of the Faculty Board of Review. The Board Coordinator is not a member of the Faculty Board of Review.   

Chief Academic Officer: The provost or executive vice chancellor of academic affairs on each campus.   

Complainant: An individual who files a complaint or appeal under this policy.  

Party/Parties: The complainant and the respondent in a matter brought under this policy, including in any complaint or appeal.  

Respondent: An individual against whom a complaint is filed or an appeal is brought under this policy. 

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History

• Enacted by University Faculty Council, April 8, 1997.
• Amended by UFC, November 10, 1998.
• Amended by UFC to clarify scope, November 27, 2017.
• Updated by UFC Executive Committee to accommodate changes to UA-03, August 10, 2020.
• Comprehensive revision enacted by UFC, April 26, 2022.
• June 2025- Substantive revisions and update Responsible Office and Responsible Administrator
• June 2026- Substantive revisions

Previous Versions:

Effective Dates: 11/10/1998 - 11/28/2017

Effective Dates 11/27/2017 - 08/20/2020

Effective Dates 08/20/2020 - 04/26/2022

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