Added and Amended Policies > Series 100 Authority, Delegation, Administration > 1.2.6 Deans

1.2.6 Deans

A. Purpose

The following briefly describes the general duties and responsibilities of Deans of Colleges and Schools.  

B. Persons Affected

Deans of Colleges and Schools.

C. Definitions

Dean (academic) is the leader of a college or school.

D. Policy

Academic deans shall be qualified for their respective roles in the Division of Academic Affairs.

E. Domains of Responsibility

(retrieved from the University of Washington, URL:  https://www.washington.edu/provost/leadership-searches/what-a-dean-does/, February 24, 2022)

Deans are responsible to the provost for all matters relating to the educational, budgetary and administrative affairs of their units. Deans are charged with providing the vision and leadership needed for their college or school to excel and to advance the University’s teaching, research and service missions. Deans also participate and support the university level academic advisory function under the direction of the Provost.  Specifically, Deans provide:

Unit Leadership 

• Deans advance the University’s vision and goals through the creation of a strategic academic business plan and future initiatives.
• Deans provide an environment to facilitate growth and development, and set and uphold high standards for faculty, staff and students.
• Deans create a positive work and learning environment within their college or school.
• Deans advocate to the provost’s office and/or president for the interests of their college or school.

Academic/scholarly leadership

• Deans lead the educational, research, scholarly and public engagement activities of their college or school through planning, implementation and evaluation initiatives that ensure success, relevance  and sustainability.
• Deans advocate on behalf of students and create initiatives to increase the diversity of the student body.
• Deans are expected to actively participate in the accreditation processes, reviews and program review s conducted under the auspices of the Provost. 
• If the college or school contains accredited programs, deans lead compliance with accreditation standards.
• Deans represent their colleges or schools to external constituencies and audiences.

Faculty and Staff development and  leadership

• Deans mentor leaders of their academic units and programs.
• Deans are responsible for recruitment, appointment and retention of academic administrators, faculty and staff for their college or school.
• Deans create hiring plans for their college or school and participate in the recruiting and hiring process for faculty and staff.
• Deans participate in the review of each faculty application for promotion/tenure and provide recommendations to the provost.
• Deans ensure meaningful workload allocations and performance evaluations  of faculty and staff that are regularly conducted.
• Deans provide input and justification of merit salary adjustment recommendations of their college or school faculty and provide recommendations to the provost. 
• Deans enhance a culture of diversity , equity, and inclusion within their college or school.
• Deans support and facilitate faculty self-governance.

Financial leadership

• Deans are responsible for the effective management of the financial resources of their college or school.
• Deans develop and implement strategies for providing competitive salaries to faculty and staff which includes planning with the elected faculty senate and executive leadership for the use of the tools available in the Faculty Salary Policy. 

Resource Management

• Deans enhance a culture of collaboration within their units to include meaningful engagement with faculty, staff and students, including with governance councils and committees, and in meaningful and regular consultation with all stakeholders. 
• Deans ensure that their college or school adheres to University policies and procedures. 
• Deans develop capital and repair budget proposals for their college or school and ensure the effective management of allocated resources.
• Deans manage the allocation of space within the facilities assigned by the provost for the use of their college or school. 

Engagement with alumni, donors and external community

• Deans engage with external stakeholders including alumni, donors, employers of graduates, and interested community organizations to solicit external input regarding the impact of their college or school.
• Deans develop and implement fundraising strategies to obtain needed philanthropic support for college or school initiatives.
• Deans engage stakeholders in meaningful interactions with the college or school that foster pride, advocacy and private support.
• Deans enhance the stature and professional standing of their college or school among peers and relevant constituencies.

Engagement with the University of Texas at Tyler community beyond the unit

• Deans actively participate in the Council of Academic Deans meetings and other activities to provide advice to the provost.
• Deans support, lead for specific functions, and participate on University committees to support the University mission and advance the University’s vision and goals.
• Deans participate in University events as the representative of their college or school.
• Deans collaborate with other academic leaders to advance University-wide and interdisciplinary initiatives.

F.  Procedures

Not applicable.

G. Review

This document shall be reviewed by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs every five years or as the organization or responsibilities change.