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ACADEMIC POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Faculty Personnel Policy

Department Head Load

The department head has the dual role of faculty member and chief administrator of the department. It is important that a proper balance be achieved between the department head’s faculty assignment and administrative duties.

Teaching

The teaching load for department heads is defined by the scope of their duties, which varies among departments. Factors which must be considered in assigning the department head’s teaching load include:

  1. the number of students majoring in the programs offered by the department
  2. instructional functions of the department (size of service offerings relative to size of major programs)
  3. size and nature of the departmental facilities (classrooms, laboratories, etc.)
  4. inventory of instructional equipment and instrumentation
  5. size and nature of the instructional faculty (tenured relative to adjunct)
  6. state and federal regulations that impact on the department and its operations
  7. ancillary activities associated with the department
  8. support staff available in the department
  9. number and size of externally supported programs initiated and managed within the department
  10. number of programs offered by the department
  11. nature of programs offered by the department

After careful review and documentation of the above factors, the teaching load of each department head will be negotiated on an individual basis. The department head assignments will be reviewed each semester by the dean of the school and be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Scholarship/Research

The individual department head’s scholarly activities are defined as his/her professional interests. While the scope and nature of faculty scholarship/research will vary among departments, university heads shall be involved in scholarly activities, individually or collaboratively, which advance the state of knowledge or performance levels of their respective fields. Both the pursuit of new knowledge or techniques and the application of knowledge in creative ways are valued.

Contributions to the Institution and to the Profession

  1. Student Advisement
    • Academic advisement is a very important service responsibility for faculty and department heads. Advisors are expected to assist students with enrollment, to counsel them about career options, to provide them information about deadlines and checkpoints, and to monitor their progress through programs. The department head coordinates advisement in the department and selects faculty to serve as advisors. A recommended maximum advisement load is thirty (30) students.
  2. Committees and Advisory Service
    • Some institutional service activities are sponsorship of student organizations, membership on ad-hoc and standing committees, consultation to other areas of the university, and participation in activities that advance the academic programs of the university.
  3. Professional Activities
    • Membership in selected professional organizations appropriate to a department head assignment is a basic responsibility. Involvement in professional organizations at local, state, regional, and nationwide levels consists of attendance of meetings, holding offices, and serving on committees.
  4. Public
    • Service to the community at large occurs when a department head contributes professional expertise pro bono to the activities of governmental, public schools, or other public and service agencies. The contribution may be in, but is not limited to, the following roles: consultant, program participant, member of a board or task force, or advisor.

Administrative Duties

The department head is directly responsible to the dean of the respective school and has the charge of providing collegial leadership to the faculty of the academic department. This leadership is in five primary areas.

  1. Instructional Program Management
    1. Plans department course offerings to serve the department majors and to provide appropriate service to other clientele (general education, other majors, off campus, and continuing education).
    2. Prepares the departmental course schedule each semester and each summer term; identifies and recommends qualified faculty. Coordinates the preparation and revision of syllabi and instructional objectives of the course of study.
    3. Coordinates advisement of students in the department, including assigning advisors, distributing materials for the placement of graduates from the department programs, and assisting graduates in finding appropriate placement and in obtaining letters of recommendation.
      • Coordinates strategic planning efforts and assessment plans for programs offered within the department.
      • Evaluates learning in the department through student evaluations of instruction, program review, and assessment of students.
      • Solves problems and resolves conflicts between students and faculty.
      • Solves problems related to closed classes during enrollment and manages enrollment in courses offered by the department.
      • Approves substitutes to cover classes when faculty must be absent during emergencies.
      • Coordinates orders with the bookstore for textbooks and required student supplies.
  2. Personnel Management
    1. Coordinates the recruitment and selection of new faculty to maintain a balanced and diversified pool of instructional faculty.
    2. Coordinates and participates in the annual faculty evaluation process for tenure and promotion and assists faculty in preparing the portfolio of materials requesting promotion.
    3. Assigns faculty responsibilities in the areas of instruction, advisement, and department service (facilities and equipment management, recruitment, etc.).
    4. Fosters faculty development by providing appropriate feedback and assistance in obtaining professional developmental activities.
    5. Acts as a communication link between the faculty and the administration.
    6. Maintains good morale in the department through a positive outlook and positive relations among the members of the department.
    7. Advocates appropriate rewards and recognition of faculty in the department.
    8. Supervises and evaluates support staff.
    9. Recruits and supervises student workers and processes time sheets.
  3. Financial and Facilities Management
    1. Coordinates the establishment of faculty and departmental goals.
    2. Coordinates department planning for developing quality instruction, scholarship/research, facilities, equipment, personnel, and general progress.
    3. Develops and recommends curricula for majors and minors in disciplines represented in the department.
    4. Fosters good teaching by providing feedback from instructional evaluations.
    5. Recruits students by collaborating with High School Relations, by corresponding with prospective students, by hosting visiting students, and by preparing recruitment materials.
    6. Coordinates regular program review and assessment activities in the department.
    7. Supervises periodic follow-up studies of students.
  4. Department and Program Development
    1. Coordinates the establishment of faculty and departmental goals.
    2. Coordinates department planning for developing quality instruction, scholarship/research, facilities, equipment, personnel, and general progress.
    3. Develops and recommends curricula for majors and minors in disciplines represented in the department.
    4. Fosters good teaching by providing feedback from instructional evaluations.
    5. Recruits students by collaborating with High School Relations, by corresponding with prospective students, by hosting visiting students, and by preparing recruitment materials.Coordinates regular program review and assessment activities in the department.
    6. Supervises periodic follow-up studies of students.
  5. Academic Leadership
    1. Stimulates scholarship/research activities among the faculty.
    2. Encourages requests for appropriate external funding for the department.
    3. Establishes and monitors standards of achievement in the department.
    4. Communicates departmental needs within the university.
    5. Engages in positive public relations by communicating information that improves the department’s image and reputation on campus, in northeastern Oklahoma, and at community colleges from which transfer students come.