File a Rejoinder

A rejoinder is a statement attached to your evaluation that expresses why you disagree. To file a rejoinder, submit your written statement within 30 calendar days of your review.

Request a Peer Review

A peer review committee makes a recommendation to the appropriate vice president or dean to either uphold or reverse your supervisor’s original evaluation.

Making the Request

Within 15 calendar days of your review, request in writing to the college dean or appropriate vice president the formation of a committee of peers to conduct a separate annual evaluation.

If you do not report through a college dean or vice president, address your request for a peer review committee directly to the president. When the president has appointed a designee, the request should be addressed to his or her designee.

You may also contact the office of human resources for assistance in the creation of a peer review committee.

Committee Composition

A peer review committee consists of three nonacademic faculty members, including a chair of the committee. The chair is responsible for submitting the final report to the college dean or vice president.

Human resources will provide a list of the Faculty Senate Appeals Committee to you. From this list, you will appoint one person and the department will appoint one person. The chair of the committee will be selected from this pool by the college dean or appropriate vice president. Human resources will advise each person in writing of their selection.

Peer Evaluation File

Within 30 calendar days after notification, you may establish a peer evaluation file that includes materials pertinent to the matter being evaluated.

Department heads will establish categories of evidence to be included in the peer evaluation file. Categories include:

  • Performance evaluation
  • Position description questionnaire (job description)
  • Other documents used in support of the evaluation (e.g., special assignments, letters of instruction, written warnings, letters from campus constituents)

The Review

The review may include written materials submitted by the department head and you. The department head and higher levels of review may also use the peer evaluation file in addition to other sources.

The review may also include interviews with your supervisor and you. The interview should be restricted to information regarding the appeal. At its discretion, the committee may request interviews with other personnel. However, interviews are limited to persons who have a direct bearing or knowledge of the evaluation or intimate knowledge of your work. Character interviews are not allowed. The parties are interviewed separately.

After you have presented your case, the committee may ask questions to clarify information. It is not the responsibility of the committee to make the case for you or the department. The committee will reach conclusions based on the evidence presented by the department and you.

The committee should complete its work no later than the end of B-contract period. The specific date for the end of the B-contract period changes each year. This date usually occurs during the middle of May. Contact human resources for the exact date on which the B-contract period ends.

The Report

The report is comprehensive and is normally no more than two or three pages. The report of the committee includes the following:

  • Introduction — This section contains the position of the evaluate (i.e., the evaluate takes issue with the evaluation prepared by the supervisor on these points: list issues), the resolution requested by the employee, and a brief summary of the department evaluation and the points of contention.
  • Committee Findings — This section details the committee’s findings of evidence. The findings of evidence are to be the basis for the recommendation the committee will make.
  • Committee Conclusion — The committee must avoid conclusions based on hearsay evidence or emotional displays. The report must state and explain any ratings it believes should be amended.

The entire process is confidential and should not be discussed with persons who are not party to the proceedings.

College Dean or Vice Presidential Review and Decision

Both the original evaluation and the recommendation of the peer review committee will be forwarded to the college dean or appropriate vice president. Both evaluations will be placed in your master personnel file.

The college dean or vice president will make the final decision of the evaluation. The decision of the college dean or vice president will be made in writing, and this decision will be addressed to your supervisor. After the decision of the college dean or vice president, you will receive a copy of this decision and a copy will be filed in your master personnel file.