Unless the faculty member agrees that dismissal is appropriate and resigns, dismissal of a faculty member with tenure, or a person on special or probationary appointment before the end of the term or notice period, shall be preceded by:

1. discussions between the faculty member and appropriate administrative officers looking toward a mutual settlement (Section 8.8),
2. informal inquiry by the Faculty Status Committee which may, failing to effect an adjustment, determine whether in its opinion dismissal proceedings should be undertaken, without its opinions being binding upon the President, and
3. a statement of charges, framed with particularity and referring to the grounds listed in Section 8.6.2, by the President or the President's designee.