1. (a)

   1. (1) A vice president or program director may suspend a classified employee without pay pending disposition of a charge for removal.
   2. (2) The vice president or program director shall notify the classified employee in writing of the suspension and the reasons for it.
2. (b) Within 5 workdays after receiving a notice of suspension under this section, a classified employee may request in writing that the President conduct a preliminary hearing to determine whether the employee may continue to work with pay pending disposition of the charge.
3. (c) The President shall hold the preliminary hearing within 5 workdays after the President receives the request.

4. (d)

   1. (1) A preliminary hearing under this subtitle is in addition to the hearing on the merits required by § 14-205 of this subtitle.

   2. (2) The preliminary hearing is limited to the following issues:

      1. (i) Whether suspension without pay is necessary to protect the interests of the University or of the classified employee pending final disposition of the charge; and
      2. (ii) Whether other employment and status alternatives for the classified employee should be considered.

5. (e) At the preliminary hearing, the classified employee may:

   1. (1) Rebut the reasons given for the suspension;
   2. (2) Assert mitigating circumstances; and

   3. (3) Offer alternatives to the suspension, including:

      1. (i) A return to the employee's position with pay;
      2. (ii) A transfer to another position with pay; or
      3. (iii) A suspension with pay.

6. (f)

   1. (1) Within 5 workdays after the preliminary hearing, the President shall issue a proposed decision in writing for approval by the Secretary of Budget and Management.
   2. (2) The decision is conclusive only as to the issue of the suspension.

Added as Education § 14-1A-06 by Acts 1994, c. 485, § 1, eff. July 1, 1994. Renumbered as Education § 14-206 by Acts 1996, c. 10, § 16, eff. April 9, 1996. Amended by Acts 1996, c. 349, § 13, eff. July 1, 1996.