Whenever this chapter affords an employee the right to be heard by the governing board or the president of a two-year institution under the authority and control of the Department of Postsecondary Education before a decision on the recommendation of the chief executive officer or chief personnel officer of the two-year institution is made, and such right to be heard is requested by the employee as provided herein, the merits of the recommended employment action shall not be deliberated or determined by the governing board or the president of the two-year institution before the hearing except as provided for herein.