Body
320.1 Job Description
Department Heads at Montana Tech are the leaders and chief representatives of their
departments and, except in extraordinary circumstances, are the conduits through which
communications flow to and from their departments on policy and procedural matters of
an academic or administrative nature. The Department Head, in consultation with the
faculty of the department, is responsible for setting goals and objectives for the
department that is consistent with those of the Institution, for developing plans to achieve
them, and for periodically assessing progress towards meeting them.
320.1.2 Academic Responsibilities
The Department Head, in consultation with the faculty of the department, is responsible
for the continuing development of the curriculum and for its oversight. Along with being
responsible for NWCCU Accreditation requirements such as Program Review, if a
program or degree is individually accredited by an organization such as ABET, the
Department Head is responsible for maintaining accreditation of the department’s degree
program. The Department Head is normally expected to carry two-thirds of the teaching
load assigned to faculty in the department.
320.1.3 Administrative Responsibilities
The Department Head is the leader of the department and is expected to show leadership
in all areas of concern to the department faculty and staff. That leadership is measured in
terms of the success of the students, faculty and staff and programs under the
department’s umbrella.
In particular the Department Head is responsible for:
Reviewing the performance of department faculty in the areas of teaching, service
and research in a manner described by the Faculty/Staff Handbook;
Developing with the faculty a closed loop assessment plan with goals, objectives
and feedback process that ensures continuous improvement of the program in
alignment with accreditation requirements;
Developing an annual department budget request for consideration by the Dean,
for modifying the budget based on funds allocated, and for administering the
expenditure of funds so as not to exceed allocations;
Assigning teaching duties equitably to the department’s faculty in such a manner
as to take the greatest advantage of their individual expertise, interests and
abilities;
Scheduling of classes and the arrangement of the teaching schedule in a manner
that avoids intra and inter-department conflicts between required courses and
allows faculty adequate time blocks to prepare for instruction, carry out research
and serve the Institution and the community.
Reviewing and, when necessary, revising the department’s portion of Montana
Tech’s catalog and schedules of classes;
Recruiting new faculty. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to,
development of a position announcement in concert with the department’s faculty,
formation of a search committee, review of the search committee’s
recommendation(s), and recommending a candidate for the position to the Dean.
Ensuring that each tenure track (probationary) faculty member is evaluated by the
department’s tenured faculty annually. The results of the evaluation, as well as the
Department Head’s own evaluation, should be conveyed to the faculty member and
to the Dean of the Institution in a timely manner.
Insuring that published guidelines for applications for tenure and promotion are
followed and that applications are processed in a timely manner;
Ensuring the quality of student advising in the department;
Hearing disputes or complaints regarding any aspect of the department’s
performance;
Selecting, supervising and evaluating staff assigned to the department, such as
laboratory directors and administrative assistants; and
Maintaining orderly records of department meetings, curriculum changes and other
official department business.
320.1.4 Research and Professional Development
The Department Head is responsible for fostering a climate conducive to the conduct of
research by the department’s faculty and students. This includes, but is not limited to, the
dissemination of information pertaining to research opportunities, the encouragement of
faculty and students to pursue research, and, to the extent practicable, the provision of
time and facilities in which to conduct research.
The Department Head is responsible for ensuring that faculty are made aware of on- and
off-campus opportunities for professional development, encouraging faculty to pursue
professional development opportunities, and for allocating and pursuing funds for
professional development to the extent practicable.
320.1.5 External Constituencies
The Department Head is responsible for promoting the department and its programs to
external constituencies. This includes, but is not limited to, fostering good alumni,
industry, and community relations; recruiting of new students and placement of
continuing students and graduates; development of external funding resources; and
formulating and maintaining rapport with the department’s external Advisory Board.
320.1.6 Selection
When a position becomes available or is anticipated, a committee shall be formed by the
department in consultation with the Dean to make recommendations on appointments.
The committee shall try to include at least one faculty from outside the department and
one student majoring in the department.
The committee should forward two candidate names to the Dean. The Dean shall then
make a recommendation to the Provost/VCAA and Chancellor for approval.
As an administrative assignment, the Department Head serves at the discretion of the
Chancellor.
320.1.7 Terms
Subject to qualifications/provisions in Section 205, Department Heads shall be appointed
for a term of one year. The faculty in each department shall evaluate their Department
Head annually in a confidential but constructive manner and forward this written
evaluation to the Academic Dean. The Academic Dean shall consider these evaluations
when making a recommendation for renewal or non-renewal to the Provost/Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs who shall in turn make a recommendation to the
Chancellor. The Dean (or Provost/VCAA in situations where the Department Head is
also a Dean) shall respond in writing to the department’s comments.
320.2 Academic Dean Job Description, Selection and Terms
320.2.1 Dean Job Description
Deans at Montana Tech are the leaders and chief representatives of their school/college
and, except in extraordinary circumstances, are the conduits through which
communications flow to and from their school/college on policy and procedural matters
of an academic or administrative nature. The Dean, in consultation with the Department
Heads of the school/college, is responsible for setting goals and objectives for the
school/college, for developing plans to achieve them, and for periodically assessing
progress towards meeting them.
320.2.2 Dean Academic Responsibilities
The Dean, in consultation with the Department Heads, is responsible for development of
plans to carry the school/college into the future, for nurturing the growth of programs, for
promoting accreditation of all programs, and the development of new programs
appropriate to the school’s/college’s mission.
320.2.3 Dean Administrative Responsibilities
The Dean is responsible for developing an annual budget request for consideration
by the Chancellor, for modifying the budget based on funds allocated, and for
administering the budget.
The Dean is responsible for developing the staffing plan of the school/college,
recommending changes in the plan, and modifying the plan subject to changes in
enrollment or budget.
The Dean is responsible for the appointment of Department Heads, subject to the
approval of the Academic Vice Chancellor and Chancellor, and for the evaluation
of the Department Heads.
The Dean is responsible for insuring that published guidelines for applications for
tenure and promotion are followed by the departments and that applications are
processed in a timely manner.
The Dean is the primary person to hear disputes or complaints regarding any aspect
of the school’s/college’s performance.
320.2.4 Dean Research and Professional Conduct
The Dean is responsible for fostering a climate conducive to the conduct of research and
for professional development by the faculty and students.
320.2.5 Dean External Constituencies
The Dean is responsible for promoting the school/college and its programs to external
constituencies. This includes fostering good alumni, industry and community relations;
and the development of external funding.
320.2.6 Dean Selection
The Dean is selected by the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with the
approval of the Chancellor. Normally, the choice is made from candidates forwarded by a
committee consisting of one faculty member from each program in the school/college,
one faculty from outside the school/college, one student from the school/college, and one
Dean from the campus. The committee should include at least one Department Head from
the school/college.
As an administrative assignment, the Academic Dean serves at the discretion of the
Chancellor.
320.2.7 Dean Terms
Academic Deans shall be appointed for one-year terms. The Department Heads in each
school/college shall evaluate their Academic Dean annually in a confidential but
constructive manner and forward this written evaluation to the Provost/VCAA The
Provost/VCAA shall consider these evaluations in determining suitability for renewal or
non-renewal when making a recommendation to the Chancellor. The Provost/VCAA
shall respond in writing to the Department Heads’ comments.