Termination of Employment

Revision Date:  7/30/2009 
Responsible Office:  Office of the President / Vice Presidents of Each Division 
Reference:  Board of Supervisors (Rules) - University of Louisiana System 

1. NON-TENURED FACULTY

   See Policy 2116 - Termination of Non-Tenured Faculty

   An appointment carries no assurance of reappointment, promotion, or tenure. Reappointments are made solely at the discretion of the institution with the approval of the Board. The non-reappointment of a faculty member does not necessarily reflect on the faculty member's work record or behavior. The determination to reappoint, or not to reappoint, should be based upon a review of the specific conditions relating to the position. The Dean is responsible for instituting action that ensures that each tenure-track faculty member is reviewed for renewal each year. Unless an appointment is of a temporary nature for a fixed term, notice that a probationary appointment is not to be renewed shall be given to the faculty member in advance of the expiration of the appointment as follows:

   1. Not later than March 1 of the first academic year of service if the appointment expires at the end of that academic year; or if a one-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least three months in advance of its termination.
   2. Not later than December 15 of the second academic year of service if the appointment expires at the end of that academic year, or at least six months in advance of its termination.
   3. At least 12 months before the expiration of an appointment after two or more years of uninterrupted service at the institution.
   4. Instructors on fixed-term appointments (specifying beginning and ending dates), lecturers, and other special appointees are employed on term contracts and are not covered by A.1, A.2, and A.3 above.
2. TENURED FACULTY
   
   See Policy 2117 - Termination of Tenured Faculty
   
   Tenured faculty may be terminated for cause. Cause for discharge, termination of contract, or demotion in rank shall consist of conduct seriously prejudicial to the College or University system such as infraction of law or commonly accepted standards of morality, insubordination, violation of institutional or Board rules and regulations, neglect of duty, incompetence, or other actions that impair the discharge of duties and the efficiency of the institution. Financial exigency and/or program discontinuation also constitute cause. The foregoing enumeration of cause shall not be deemed exclusive. However, action to discharge, terminate, or demote shall not be arbitrary or capricious, nor shall it infringe upon academic freedom.
   
   Upon the recommendation of the University Senate, the President has appointed a standing University committee of faculty members (the Tenured Faculty Committee) who shall hear charges against accused faculty and forward their findings and recommendations to the President who shall make a final determination. The committee has determined that its function is to provide due process in cases involving action taken by the University which could result in the discharge, termination of contract, or demotion in rank of a tenured faculty member. The committee will meet at the request of the President to provide the faculty member with a peer review. It is not the function of the committee to initiate action on its own or to hear cases referred by anyone other than the President.
   
   The member of the academic staff who has exhausted due process procedures at the institutional level may petition the Board within 30 days when the institution is in session for a review and no official action shall be taken by the institution until a final determination is made by the Board.
   
   
3. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
   
   Administrative staff members serve in their administrative positions at the pleasure or will of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors. At-will employees: All non-classified, non-faculty employees who have accepted employment with Louisiana Tech University have entered into an “employment at-will” agreement. Under this agreement, employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause or reason. Similarly, Tech may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without prior notice.