A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The dean is the chief officer of a division and as such is its executive head, representative, and administrator. The dean works with department chairs and others to monitor and improve the general academic health and welfare of a group of academic disciplines and programs. The dean is responsible for the organization and operation of the division, including the operations of the departments of studies and of organized research units, and for its effectiveness in achieving its purpose.
The dean is also involved as a major campus officer in helping to articulate the educational purposes of the campus and to foster their accomplishment. As a member of the campus administration the dean is responsible for working cooperatively with other campus officials, for seeing that university and campus policies and requirements are carried out, and for integrating campus and division objectives.
The dean is expected to see that the advice of faculty colleagues and of students is sought in a systematic way in connection with department affairs, and to delegate authority to those who assist the dean in administering the division. However, the dean remains responsible.
The dean reports to the executive vice chancellor and is a full-time academic-administrative official. The dean is a member of the Academic Advisory Council. Deans may also perform special assignments from time to time and the executive vice chancellor may specify additional duties.
The dean has wide latitude in carrying out this general charge. The specific role and authority of a dean develops individually and is related to a particular division. Diversity of style and emphasis is expected. Innovation and experimention are encouraged. The following more specific statements illustrate further the leadership and administrative responsibilities.
B. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Academic Leadership
a. The dean manages resources of undergraduate and graduate teaching programs and arranges for interaction of division curricula. The dean assures that service and prerequisite courses in the division are provided in adequate numbers, and that the course syllabi meet the needs of subjects for which the courses are prerequisites.
b. Encourages the planning and development of new curricular configurations, i.e., more rational, imaginative and economic ways to coordinate or consolidate the subject matters of the various disciplines aggregated under the label of the division.
c. Facilitates the development of research, performance, and enrichment activities.
d. Reviews current academic programs. Identifies and assists programs of excellence, and maintains a climate hospitable to creativity and innovation.
e. Recommends appointment of department and committee chairs and approves appointment of program coordinators; assures their proper orientation and training.
f. Maintains a divisional affirmative action program for faculty and staff recruitment and retention consistent with University affirmative action policies.
2. Academic Personnel
a. Recommends, and when delegated, approves recruitment, appointment, promotion and termination of academic personnel. The dean is expected to make independent judgments in this area of responsibility.
b. Supports and assists the scholarly development of faculty--particularly junior faculty; fosters research programs.
c. Recognizes and fosters excellence in teaching.
d. Administers sabbatical leave policy; has authority for paid and unpaid leaves in accordance with campus delegations..
3. Administrative Direction
a. Is responsible for the financial affairs of the division, including seeking budgetary and extramural funds and managing the division resources; facilitates grant applications.
b. Identifies the division's needs for faculty positions, establishes priorities, and makes recommendations to the executive vice chancellor.
c. Assures proper management of and is responsible for space, facilities, and property for the division.
4. Administrative Coordination
a. Is consulted by campus officials in the development and implementation of campuswide policies and programs and provides advice regarding the recruiting and evaluation of campus staff whose activities significantly affect the division.
b. Consults campus officials to obtain support for division goals, to coordinate related campus and division activities, and to obtain advice regarding the recruiting and evaluation of division staff whose activities significantly affect campus functions.
c. Works with the departments and Academic Senate to maintain effective interaction between faculty governance and academic administration with regard to division affairs. Works with provosts and other academic officials to see that the related duties of colleges and divisions with regard to faculty are worked out equitably and clearly and that issues are resolved.
d. Works with other deans to maintain communication and cooperation among divisions, to explore possibilities for reciprocal and joint arrangements, and to review matters of common concern.