Policy Statement

Deans are appointed based on an established search process and may include external candidates. The recommendation for dean will be made by the search committee to the Provost and by the Provost to the President. Appointments shall be advanced by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the President.

Initial appointment to the position of academic dean shall be for an initial 1- to 2-year term renewable annually for a 1-year term.

Reason for Policy

This policy defines the process for appointing academic deans. Additionally, it permits up to a two-year appointment for the chief academic and administrative officer of an academic unit, entitled Academic Dean, since they may have or are eligible for concurrent academic rank and would otherwise be limited to single-year contracts.

To Whom Does the Policy Apply

Academic Deans

Related Documents

1. Procedure 201: Appointment of Academic Deans
2. Policy 326: Concurrent Tenure & Academic Rank Eligibility for the President, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Academic Deans, & Other Academic Administrators
3. Policy 449: Employment of Officers, Senior Administrators, and Managers

Contacts

People Operations & Employee Resources

Procedure 201: Appointment of Academic Deans

Last Revised: January 2014, July 2023

I. Search Process

The chief academic and administrative officer of an academic unit is entitled Dean and reports directly
to the Provost/Vice President for Teaching Learning & Growth. Deans are appointed in accordance with the College’s established search processes.

The recommendation for a Dean is made by the search committee to the Provost/Vice President for Teaching Learning & Growth and by the Provost/Vice President for Teaching Learning and Growth to the President. Appointments shall be approved by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of
the President.

II. Term of Appointment

Initial appointment to the position of Academic Dean shall be for a period of a 1- or 2-year term, renewable annually for a 1-year term.

III. Concurrent Academic Rank

If at the time that they assume an administrative role, the newly appointed Dean is a member of the Ramapo College faculty, or if the Dean has been awarded concurrent academic rank upon initial appointment, the Dean shall retain academic rank while serving as administrator.

IV. Evaluation of the Dean

Evaluation of performance shall be done by the Provost/Vice President for Teaching Learning & Growth in accordance with the College’s established performance evaluation procedures.

V. Termination of Deanship

If the Dean chooses or is requested to leave the Deanship assignment, and is a tenured faculty member at the College, the Provost may offer the individual a full-time faculty appointment at the College unless removal is sought pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:1-1 et seq. If a full-time faculty assignment at the College is provided, the individual becomes a full-time faculty member and the appropriate salary shall be determined as per the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) contract salary schedule. The individual will assume their faculty title upon the termination of the administrative position as dean with the term
of the contract determined by tenure status.

If a Dean who also holds concurrent academic rank chooses or is requested to leave the deanship position and is placed in a full-time faculty assignment at the College, the Provost/Vice President for Teaching Learning & Growth may approve administrative leave. This leave can be for the purpose of preparing to teach or for other purposes where such approval is necessary to meet a programmatic or other administrative need and when it is in the best interest of the College. This approved administrative leave time may not exceed thirteen (13) College payroll cycles. The salary rate during the leave will be at the concurrent faculty rate as determined by the current master AFT agreement and approved by the Vice President for People Operations & Employee Resources.