Ethics and Governance Committee

Section 6. Ethics and Governance Committee

Ethics and Governance Committee shall be created in the event a Council member or officer’s actions are in question.   A confidential committee shall be formed to review the grievance(s) and determine a plan of action, referred to as Staff Council Disciplinary Action, to resolve the issue(s).  The committee’s recommendation stands and shall be recorded.  Any Council member or officer with a Staff Council Disciplinary Action on record shall not be eligible to serve as an officer or committee chair.

The committee shall have no more than five (5) members.  Committee members shall be appointed by Staff Council Officers and remain anonymous.  Records shall remain confidential and held by the Staff Council Secretary, Nominations Chair, and Staff Council Liaison.

  1. Provision of Removal from Staff Council Membership or Officer Position
    1. Staff Council members and officers are required to abide to the LU Staff Council Bylaws, Staff Council Officer Duties and Responsibilities, and LU University Policies and Procedures.
    2. The violation of any or all of the requirements, but not limited to those listed previously, are considered grounds for removal.
    3. A finding of violation made requires that: 
      1. There be a significant departure from established practices.
      2. The violation be committed deliberately, knowingly, or irresponsibly.
      3. The allegations be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
  2. Procedure for Removal from Staff Council Membership or Officer Position
    1. Allegation
      1. A report of a perceived violation, by a Staff Council member or officer, may be made by any member of Staff Council, LU staff, faculty, or student body.
      2. The Complainant must file a written, signed statement with the Staff Council Officers within thirty (30) calendar days of the knowledge of the event or decision on which the grievance is based.
      3. The written complaint must contain specific, detailed information concerning the alleged violation of the Bylaws, policies and procedures, or examples of failure to fulfill officer duties and responsibilities.
      4. The Ethics and Governance Committee shall provide a written copy of the allegation to the Council member or officer.
    2. Investigation
      1. The Ethics and Governance Committee shall convene to review the written complaint.
      2. If the committee reaches a decision that the allegation warrants a more through inquiry, they shall begin an investigation within ten (10) working days of receipt of the allegation.
      3. Investigation shall include full review of the complaint. Interviews with all parties involved, including witnesses may be conducted as deemed appropriate.
      4. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Ethics and Governance Committee shall provide a full investigative report to the Staff Council Officers. If the allegation involves an officer, they shall be excluded from receiving the report.
    3. Formal Inquiry
      1. An Ethics and Governance Committee meeting shall be called immediately following the conclusion of the initial investigation to discuss the removal of a Council member or officer.
      2. The Ethics and Governance Committee Chair shall notify the Council member or officer that a meeting has been scheduled to discuss removal from his/her position on the Council.
      3. The Ethics and Governance Committee may interview anyone who could contribute information helpful to the inquiry.
      4. The Council member or officer shall have the opportunity to be heard and defend him/herself against the allegation, including providing additional pertinent evidence and witnesses.
      5. A subsequent Ethics and Governance Committee meeting may be called for further discussion.
    4.   Conclusion of Formal Inquiry
      1. The Ethics and Governance Committee shall recommend action to the Staff Council Officers.
      2. A final decision shall be made within ten (10) working days after the conclusion of the investigation.
    5. Actions
      1. The Council member or officer shall not vote on his/her own action or removal.
      2. The Ethics and Governance Committee and Council Officers must receive a majority vote for the removal of a Council member or officer.
      3. Removal from a Council member or officer position shall include removal from all the duties and responsibilities of Council membership for the remainder of the current term.
      4. A Council member or officer that has been removed from Staff Council, due to Disciplinary Action, shall not be eligible for Staff Council membership. This action shall remain in effect indefinitely.
      5. A Council member or officer that receives a Staff Council Disciplinary Action, but remains a Staff Council member, shall not be eligible to serve as an officer or committee chair. This action shall remain in effect indefinitely.