What is Administrative Fairness?

Administrative fairness are the rules to ensure that the principles of natural justice are upheld. Due to the nature of your role at the university, you may have to make decisions that impacts students, staff and faculty members. In order to make the best decision possible, it’s important to always keep in mind the principles of natural justice and administrative fairness. In a university context where students are involved, the principles of natural justice ensure that students:

• Are notified of the allegations made against them and are informed of the process.
• Are given the opportunity to respond to allegations and to respond to evidence being considered in the matter.
• The decision maker is impartial and is making a decision without bias. If there is a conflict of interest, the decision maker should recuse themselves from the matter.

The principles of natural justice help to ensure that the decision maker followed the proper procedure in arriving at their decision.

In general, there are other elements to fairness besides procedural fairness. You can learn more about the elements of fairness by reviewing the Fairness Triangle.