• Grievance Policies & Procedures
• Dispute Resolution
• Ombudsperson Assistance
• Kansas Open Meetings Act

 

Susana Valdovinos
Director of Academic Personnel
204 Anderson Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-4392
svaldovi@k-state.edu

Responsibilities of The Presiding Grievance Board Chair

 

1. Read the General Grievance Board Policy and Hearing Procedures, Appendix G of the University Handbook and the hearing documents provided by both parties.
   
   
2. Keep all grievance documents and hearing procedures confidential.
   
   
3. Do not conduct any type of independent research related to the hearing.
   
   
4. Five workdays prior to the hearing, meet with the grievant, his/her advocate, and the chair of the GGB to outline procedures of the hearing as stated in Appendix G, Section 3 of the University Handbook.
   
   
5. Contact the administrative respondents to confirm procedures.
   
   
6. If needed, contact the legal counsel appointed to assist the hearing panel. The GGB Chair should provide name, telephone number, and e-mail address for the legal counsel. This person also may be contacted during the hearing.
   
   
7. If needed, meet with hearing panelists prior to the hearing to outline hearing procedures. (This could be done just prior to the hearing.)
   
   
8. As Appendix G states, on issues of procedures, evidence, relevance, and all other items related to the hearing, the presiding officer in consultation with the hearing panel is the final authority.
   
   
9. At the start of the grievance hearing, the presiding chair calls the hearing to order, states the nature of the grievance, and reviews the procedures as discussed earlier with both parties.
   
   
10. Carry out the following tasks during the hearing:
    1. Direct the hearing.
       
       
    2. Maintain order, fairness, and objectivity.
       
       
    3. Ensure timeliness of hearing.
       
       
    4. Question both parties.
       
       
    5. Request additional documents from either party as needed.
       
       
    6. Hold private meetings with panelists to discuss the hearing (if needed). A room will be reserved at the Union for this purpose.
       
       
11. After the hearing meet with panelists for final deliberations. Alternates do not participate in this meeting.
    
    
12. Prepare a report to be sent to the GGB Chair. The report should include:
    
    1. evaluation of the evidence and findings of fact;
       
    2. a description of the recommended specific relief or course of action that should be taken; and
       
    3. the reasons for supporting the decision.