Standing Orders for Handling Complaints Concerning Members
Preamble
The Council of the Australasian Association of Philosophy has very limited resources to undertake investigations on behalf of members with complaints against their universities, colleagues or supervisors. In general Council recommends that such matters be directed to one or more of: the particular university's staff association or union, the equal opportunity officer, the university ombudsman, the personnel department, or another officer of the university. Only in exceptional circumstances will Council consider it appropriate to take up such a matter. In deciding whether to take action on a matter brought to Council, Council may take account of whether or not the complainant, or the person who is alleged to have been wronged, is a member of the Association.
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Complaints must be made to Council in writing, and include both a specification of the action which Council is requested to take, and a statement of the case for it being appropriate that Council should consider the complaint. In the case of a complaint lodged on behalf of a third party, the third party will be contacted, and nothing done unless the third party agrees.
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The Chair of Council, in consultation with other members of Council as appropriate, will decide whether the matter is an appropriate one for Council to discuss.
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The Chair of Council will notify the party or parties against whom the complaint is made, who will then have the right to reply to the charges.
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Council will discuss any matter brought before it and consider what action, if any, it is appropriate for Council to take.
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Relevant conclusions of Council deliberation will be conveyed in writing to both the originator(s) of the complaint and those about whom the complaint is made.
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All Council deliberations on such matters are confidential - as are all matters discussed by Council.
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When any person involved in the complaint is a member of Council, the above rules will still apply. In addition the person will not be present when Council deliberates on the matter.
Adopted 11th March 2003
Amended 2nd July 2006