Handbook of Operating Procedures > Series 100 Authority, Delegation, Administration > 1.2.6 Deans

1.2.6 Deans

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to outline the general duties and responsibilities of deans of colleges and schools.  

B. Persons Affected

This Policy applies to all deans of colleges and schools.

C. Definitions

1. Dean: The academic leader of a college or school.
2. Stakeholder: Any individual or group that is directly impacted by a Policy.

D. Policy

D.1. Unit Leadership 

1. Business plan. Deans advance the University’s vision and goals through the creation of a strategic academic business plan and future initiatives.
2. Employee and student standards. Deans provide an environment to facilitate growth and development and set and uphold high standards for Employees and students.
3. Positive environment. Deans create a positive work and learning environment within their college or school.
4. Advocate for college. Deans advocate to the Provost’s office and/or President for the interests of their college or school.

D.2. Academic/Scholarly Leadership

1. Lead College. 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.
2. Advocate for students. Deans advocate on behalf of students.
3. Accreditation process. Deans are expected to actively participate in the accreditation processes, reviews and program reviews conducted under the auspices of the Provost. 
4. Compliance with accreditation. If the college or school contains accredited programs, deans lead compliance with accreditation standards.
5. Represent college to public. Deans represent their colleges or schools to external constituencies and audiences.

D.3. Employee Development and Leadership

1. Mentor. Deans mentor leaders of their institutional units and programs.
2. Hire and retain Employees. Deans are responsible for recruitment, appointment and retention of academic administrators, faculty and staff for their college or school.
3. Hiring plans. Deans create hiring plans for their college or school and participate in the recruiting and hiring process for faculty and staff.
4. Review faculty applications. Deans participate in the review of each faculty application for promotion/tenure and provide recommendations to the Provost.
5. Workloads and evaluations completed. Deans ensure meaningful workload allocations and performance evaluations of faculty and staff that are regularly conducted.
6. Merit salary recommendations. Deans provide input and justification of merit salary adjustment recommendations of their college or school faculty and provide recommendations to the Provost. 
7. Faculty self-governance. Deans support and facilitate faculty self-governance.

D.4. Financial Leadership

1. Financial management. Deans are responsible for the effective management of the financial resources of their college or school.
2. Competitive salaries. Deans develop and implement strategies for providing competitive salaries to Employees which includes planning with the elected Faculty Senate and executive leadership for the use of the tools available in the Faculty Salary Policy. 

D.5. Resource Management

1. Culture of collaboration. Deans enhance a culture of collaboration within their units to include meaningful engagement with Employees and students, including with governance councils and committees, and in meaningful and regular consultation with all stakeholders. 
2. Compliance for college. Deans ensure that their college or school adheres to University Policies. 
3. Budget proposals and management. Deans develop capital and repair budget proposals for their college or school and ensure the effective management of allocated resources.
4. Space allocation. Deans manage the allocation of space within the facilities assigned by the Provost for the use of their college or school. 

D.6. Engagement with Alumni, Donors and External Community

1. Solicit external input. 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.
2. Fundraising strategies. Deans develop and implement fundraising strategies to obtain needed philanthropic support for college or school initiatives.
3. Foster advocacy. Deans engage stakeholders in meaningful interactions with the college or school that foster pride, advocacy and private support.
4. Enhance college standing. Deans enhance the stature and professional standing of their college or school among peers and relevant constituencies.

D.7. Engagement with the University Community

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

E. Reference Sources and Authority

Not applicable.

F.  Review Responsibilities and Dates

The Division Head for this Policy is the Provost, and this Policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years or sooner, if necessary, by the Division Head or their designee.