Pacific Lutheran University is committed to the
internal resolution of disputes arising within the university
community. To that end, the President has appointed a University
Dispute Resolution Committee that includes representatives from the
faculty, student life, human resources and academic
administration. The Committee appointments shall each be for a
minimum two-year term.
The University Dispute Resolution Committee (UDRC) is charged with
reducing conflicts and helping members of the community resolve
disputes appropriately, expediently and fairly. The committee
does so by educating the community about campus policies and dispute
resolution options; coordinating dispute resolution services;
investigating grievances when appropriate and advocating for review of
university policies and procedures when necessary.
It is the intent that the University Dispute Resolution Committee be a
resource for all members of the PLU community. The UDRC may
assist any faculty, administrator, staff or student who needs
consultation or referral to resolve an on-campus conflict, or who
desires conflict resolution services. The UDRC also processes all
formal grievances as allowed by the University’s Grievance Policy,
except those that relate to faculty tenure or discipline or which
otherwise arise under the faculty constitution and bylaws or which
arise under the Student Conduct System. The UDRC shall have
authority to establish separate policies and procedures for certain
types of grievances. Subject to faculty approval, the UDRC shall
also have authority to enact special policies and procedures for
resolution of grade disputes and issues of academic dishonesty.
The University Dispute Resolution Committee has the authority to
appoint additional committee members on an as needed basis, for
example, when one or more UDRC members would be unable to participate
in a specific matter or when an additional member would assist in
serving the mission of the University Dispute Resolution Committee.
The university encourages community members to resolve their disputes
at the earliest and most informal level (i.e. by talking directly with
the individual(s) involved; through facilitated conversation and/or
through conflict mediation). When informal resolution is not possible,
every member of the university community, whether faculty, student,
administrator or staff, has the right to file a grievance and access
the grievance procedures established by the UDRC. Grievances may
be initiated by contacting any member of the Committee.
Grievances first reported elsewhere in the community should be referred
to the Committee for resolution, except for grievances that arise under
the faculty constitution and by-laws or under the Student Conduct
System.
If, at any time during a conflict resolution or grievance proceedings,
a participant believes that a member of University Dispute Resolution
Committee has a conflict or the appearance of a conflict, or that the
dispute/grievance involves or potentially involves a member of the
Committee, that member will be excused from any further involvement in
the grievance proceedings. In such circumstances an additional
UDRC member may be appointed by the remaining University Dispute
Resolution Committee members.
The grievance policy and procedures will be published bi-annually and distributed to all members of the university community.