WHEREAS the faculty have an interest in promoting collegiality within departments and across the university,

AND WHEREAS situations damaging to collegial relations that may sometimes arise are best addressed between faculty members,

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following addition should be made to the charge of the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee of the Academic Senate:

Each year the committee will establish from among its members a Panel on Collegial Problem-solving. This panel will be available for consultation, on a confidential basis if those concerned wish, and the informal resolution of disputes or other problems that may arise within departments, either between individuals and the department or among faculty colleagues, subject to a disclosure statement clearly indicating that the participants understand that legal advice is not being given. If attempts at informal resolution are unsuccessful, the panel may recommend formal mediation or, in extreme cases, with the assent of those involved, may refer the matter to the office of the Provost.