Department Heads are full–time ranked faculty members who represent the faculty of and have administrative responsibilities for their respective departments. They shall be generally responsible for the administration of their departments and the development of teaching and scholarship among departmental faculty.

Department Heads must engage faculty in annual departmental assessments of student learning. The results of such discussions shall be reported in the minutes of departmental meetings. The results of such assessments are reported annually in the Department Plan and are used in decision making regarding program improvement.

Department Heads are appointed annually by the President upon the recommendation of the Academic Dean and Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The term of appointment, assuming satisfactory performance, may be for a period of the academic year. During the academic period, the Department Head may be reassigned at the discretion of the Deans to teaching or other duties commensurate with the individual’s academic rank. In accordance with University policy, all administrative appointments expire June 30 of each year and new appointments and agreements become effective July 1 of each year.

Department Heads receive alternate work time releases from teaching duties in proportion to the requirements of the administrative duties of their respective academic unit.

Changes to Section of Manual