18.1 No faculty member shall be disciplined or discharged without just cause. 18.2 Except as provided in Section 18.3, the University will provide progressive discipline consisting of verbal warning, written warning, suspension without pay, and discharge. However, the University need not follow progressive discipline if the nature of the offense calls for immediate suspension without pay or discharge. 18.3 Progressive discipline is not required, and immediate suspension without pay, or discharge may occur for reasons which constitute just cause, such as: 18.3.1 Violation of Section 13, Discrimination and Harassment Prohibited. 18.3.2 Violation of Section 14, Workplace Violence. 18.3.3 Serious scientific or scholarly misconduct, consisting of, but not limited to, significant misrepresentation of credentials, falsification of data, plagiarism, or abuse of confidentiality. 18.3.4 Conviction of a felony. 18.3.5 Malicious interference with the scientific, scholarly or academic activities of others. 18.3.6 Violation of the University’s drug-free work place policy. 18.3.7 Engaging in a strike. 18.4 The University may suspend a faculty member with pay pending investigation of an allegation. The Union will be notified of any such suspension. 18.5 Progressive discipline consisting of verbal warning or written warning will be administered by the dean 18.5.1 A dean may recommend to the Provost suspension without pay or discharge. The Provost may initiate suspension without pay or discharge in writing. Written notice of suspension without pay or discharge will be given to the faculty member. 18.6 Disciplinary Procedures 18.6.1 Informal meetings between the University and faculty regarding workplace issues are encouraged 18.6.2 If prior to, or during, a meeting between the University and a faculty member, the faculty member reasonably concludes that discipline could result, the faculty member shall be entitled to representation by the union. If necessary, the meeting may be suspended for a reasonable time to obtain representation. All disciplinary meetings shall be conducted in private. Settlements reached in cases where the faculty member has chosen to waive the right to union representation shall be non-precedent setting. 18.6.3 Faculty shall be given a fair and reasonable opportunity to respond to complaints which could result in discipline.