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 made by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the president.

Initial appointment to the position of academic dean shall be for and initial three year term of office, renewable at 1-3 year terms.

Reason for Policy

This policy defines the process for appointing academic deans and the college librarian. Additionally, it permits the initial multi-year appointment for the chief academic and administrative officer of an academic unit 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

Deans of the Schools and Library

Related Documents

1. Appointment of Academic Deans Procedure
2. Concurrent Tenure & Academic Rank Eligibility for the President, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Academic Deans, & Other Academic Administrators (Policy 326)
3. Contracts for Managerial Employees/Initial Appointment and Multi-Year Policy (Policy 449)

Contacts

Office of the Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs
(201) 684-7529

Summary of Job Responsibilities

The chief academic and administrative officer of an academic unit is entitled dean (College Librarian) and reports directly to the provost/vice president for academic affairs. Each has authority and responsibility for planning and achieving the educational objectives of the unit, delivery of instructional programs, and development of high quality in teaching, scholarship and professional service. The dean is responsible for the continuing review, assessment, and improvement of the total unit consistent with College mission and goals, and therefore makes recommendations to the provost/vice president for academic affairs on particular matters related to planning, faculty, scheduling, personnel, curriculum, instruction, budget and other related issues

Search Process

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 made by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the president.

Term of Appointment

Initial appointment to the position of academic dean shall be for an initial three year term, renewable at 1 – 3 year terms.. Multi-year appointments are essential for academic dean positions to ensure stability and continuity of the curriculum, appropriate academic planning, assessment and other activities that warrant continued leadership.

Concurrent Academic Rank

If at the time that (s)he assumes 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.

Evaluation of the Dean

Evaluation of performance shall be done by the provost/vice president for academic affairs with input from the respective academic unit.

Termination of Deanship

If the dean chooses or is asked to leave the administrative deanship assignment, the provost may offer that individual a full-time faculty appointment at the College. If tenure has been awarded, the provost will move the individual into a full-time teaching assignment 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.

When a dean who has concurrent academic rank chooses or is asked to leave the deanship position and is given a full-time faculty assignment at the College, the provost may approve administrative leave/reassigned time for the purpose of preparing the administrator to teach or for other purposes where such approval is necessary to meet a programmatic or other administrative need and when in the best interest of the College.