(2) Alleged infractions shall be investigated by the responsible
supervisor or administrator or designee at the earliest opportunity following
knowledge of it, and the investigation shall be promptly completed. All suspensions of
employees shall be implemented within 3 days of the alleged infraction or knowledge
of the alleged infraction by the responsible supervisor or administrator. All
suspension days shall be consecutive.

(3) The employee or the employee's designated representative may
submit a written appeal on a disciplinary suspension to the [Chancellor or the
Chancellor's] PRESIDENT OR THE PRESIDENT'S designated representative within 5
days of notification of the suspension, or the employee or the employee's designated
representative may appeal the suspension within 3 days of notification of the
suspension to the department head or chairman or designee. The department head or
chairman or designee shall hear the case within 3 days from the receipt of the written
appeal. If the appeal is unheard or unanswered as a result of management delay, the
employee shall be reinstated with full back pay.

(4) If the suspension is upheld by the [Chancellor or the Chancellor's]
PRESIDENT OR THE PRESIDENT'S designated representative, step three of the
grievance procedure is available to the employee. If the employee chooses to appeal to
the department head or chairman or designee, any further appeals shall proceed
through steps two and three of the grievance procedure.

(e) (1) If an employee is suspended without pay pending a hearing on
disposition of charges for removal, the President or the President's designated
representative shall notify the employee in writing of the reasons for the suspension
at the time of the notice of the suspension.

(2) Within 5 working days of the notice of suspension, the employee may
request in writing that the [Chancellor or the Chancellor's] PRESIDENT OR THE
PRESIDENT'S designated representative, in addition to conducting a hearing on the
merits, conduct a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not the employee may
continue to work with pay pending the disposition of the charges.

(3) The President or the President's designated representative shall
conduct a preliminary hearing within 5 working days after the [Chancellor or the
Chancellor's] PRESIDENT OR THE PRESIDENTS designated representative receives in
writing the request from the suspended employee for the preliminary hearing.

(4) The preliminary hearing shall be limited to the issues of:

(i) Whether suspension without pay is necessary to protect the
interests of the University of Maryland or the employee pending final disposition of
the charges; and

(ii) Whether other employment and status alternatives should be

(5) At the preliminary hearing, the employee may:
(i) Rebut the reasons given for the suspension;