Dear Faculty Relations: An untenured faculty member came to me with concerns that a senior faculty advisor bullies them. How do I resolve this? - Stuck in the Middle
Dear Stuck in the Middle: Speak with the untenured faculty to learn specific examples, if not already provided, and get a better sense of the situation's context and degree. Use empathic listening skills with the intent to understand the experience within their frame of reference. Keeping an open mind, next meet with the senior faculty member to relay the concerns and hear their perspective using empathic listening. Once both perspectives are obtained, resolve the concerns at the lowest level appropriate for the situation. This may include engaging in mediation services offered by Ombuds and Faculty Relations. If the situation doesn't resolve, investigate further, consider the standards for professional conduct under the PRD, and decide if the senior faculty engaged in unprofessional behavior. Educate them about the standards for professionalism in the PRD and the expectation that faculty treat others with mutual respect, common courtesy, understanding, dignity, and respect (PRD, Part II, C.) If this is the first incident, make a written note in your records about the concerns and resolution; if this has occurred previously, a more formal process and sanctions may be needed.
Written by Suzanne Soled, PhD, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Support; Director of Faculty Relations, Office of Faculty Affairs, University of Colorado Boulder, October 2020