Department Head

Procedures for Approval of Major Faculty Administrative Appointments

Reappointment or Replacement of Department Heads

(Replaces existing COE Procedure 5)

In accordance with Article IX of the University of Georgia Statutes, a department head shall be recommended for appointment after the dean has consulted with the faculty of the department. Such consultation shall include a vote of the faculty of the department. The term of a department head is three complete academic years. The dean shall conduct an evaluation of the department head by the faculty of the department in the Fall of the third year of service.

When there is a vacancy in a Department Head position, the following procedures will be followed.

By January 15 all persons wishing to be considered for the department head position will make that known in writing to the dean. The dean then notifies all faculty and staff in the department of the names of all candidates.
All candidates for the department head position will prepare a summary of up to four pages in length of their accomplishments and future goals for the unit. This summary must be provided to the dean and departmental faculty and staff by March 1.
All candidates will present their goals for the unit and leadership vision to the faculty and staff at an open faculty meeting. This will occur at the next regularly scheduled department meeting for all candidates.
An opportunity for all faculty and staff in the department to provide written feedback regarding all candidates will be provided by the dean’s office. The dean will then meet with the faculty and staff to discuss the candidates.
By the end of the Spring semester, the dean will announce the name of the person appointed to serve the next three-year term.

Removal of a Department Head

At any time the dean may initiate a review of a department head’s administrative work. Based on this review, the dean may decide to terminate the department head’s term and begin a search for a new department head. The faculty of a department may also ask the dean to conduct a review of the department head before the expiration of the department head’s term. To initiate the process, 40% of the department faculty must sign and submit to the dean the following resolution: “Resolved that we, the faculty of the Department of (name of the department), petition the dean of the Mary Frances Early College of Education to conduct a review of our department head.” The dean will then notify the department head and all departmental faculty that a review will be conducted. Based on the results of the review, the dean will decide whether or not to remove the department head and begin a search for a replacement.