Section 14-206 - Suspensions pending charge for removal(a)(1) A vice president or program director may suspend a classified employee without pay pending disposition of a charge for removal.(2) The vice president or program director shall notify the classified employee in writing of the suspension and the reasons for it.(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.(c) The President shall hold the preliminary hearing within 5 workdays after the President receives the request.(d)(1) A preliminary hearing under this subtitle is in addition to the hearing on the merits required by § 14-205 of this subtitle.(2) The preliminary hearing is limited to the following issues: (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(ii) Whether other employment and status alternatives for the classified employee should be considered.(e) At the preliminary hearing, the classified employee may:(1) Rebut the reasons given for the suspension;(2) Assert mitigating circumstances; and(3) Offer alternatives to the suspension, including:(i) A return to the employee's position with pay;(ii) A transfer to another position with pay; or(iii) A suspension with pay.(f)(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) The decision is conclusive only as to the issue of the suspension.