Administrative and Service Positions
1. Department Chair
The Department Chair (hereinafter “Chair”) reports directly to and is accountable to the Dean of the College (hereinafter “Dean”) and to the Faculty of the Department. The Chair is responsible for recording, maintaining, and implementing the policies and procedures stated in this Handbook through regular and thorough consultation with the Department faculty and the Department’s various committees as provided in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Chair represents the Department in Collegiate and University matters, except as specified otherwise in the Handbook.
The Chair is an ex officio, non-voting member of all Department committees, and may make appointments as necessary and permitted to Department committees and to the various administrative and service positions in the Department.
The Chair shall also use the resources of the office to create an atmosphere in which all faculty members can most effectively realize their capabilities for teaching, research, and service, and fulfill their professional duties and obligations; make annual reports to the Faculty on the state of the Department; this shall include an annual financial report to the Department Faculty Meeting, an income, expenditures, and resources, and a budget for the new academic year; initiate periodic reviews of the departmental curricula; assemble and distribute annually to faculty all relevant information concerning faculty salaries; and select and supervise secretaries and maintain effective office organization. These responsibilities are exercised in consultation with the FAC and in accordance with the University Civil Service regulations.
Procedures for the selection, review and reappointment of the Chair are included in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
2. Assistant to the Chair
The Department may have an Assistant to the Chair. The Assistant to the Chair is appointed by the Chair after consultation with the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC). The term of service is established by the Chair in consultation with the FAC, but it may be terminated by the Chair at their sole discretion. The duties and responsibilities of the Assistant to the Chair are determined by the Chair in consultation with the FAC. The duties shall be specified in a letter of appointment and departmental operating procedures document and referenced in the description of workload equivalents (see ARTICLE VI.E Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents) contained in this Handbook.
3. Graduate Coordinator
The Graduate Coordinator is appointed by the Chair after consultation with the Graduate Faculty and the FAC and approved by the Faculty Meeting. The Graduate Coordinator should, whenever possible, be an F-4 member of the Graduate Faculty holding the rank of TT Associate Professor or TT Professor. The term of service is established by the Chair in consultation with the FAC, but may be terminated by the Chair, in consultation with FAC and the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC). The Graduate Coordinator chairs the GSC and oversees the operation and development of the Department’s MA/PhD program.
4. Undergraduate Coordinator
The Undergraduate Coordinator is appointed by the Chair after consultation with the faculty and the FAC and approved by the Faculty Meeting. The term of service is established by the Chair in consultation with the FAC, but may be terminated by the Chair, in consultation with FAC and the Undergraduate Studies Committee (USC). The Undergraduate Coordinator chairs the USC, oversees the operation and development of the Department’s POL undergraduate degree programs, and serves as the Department’s representative to the A&S College Curriculum Committee.
5. Master of Public Administration (MPA) Coordinator
The MPA Coordinator is elected by the MPA committee and approved by the Chair and the Faculty Meeting. The term of service is established by the Chair in consultation with the FAC, but may be terminated by the Chair, in consultation with FAC and the MPA Committee. The MPA Coordinator chairs the MPA Committee and oversees the operation and development of the MPA program.
The MPA Coordinator’s responsibilities include the following: (a) serving as the official NASPAA (National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration) representative; (b) advertising and promoting the MPA program externally; (c) facilitating the research needs of junior, full-time MPA faculty; (d) bringing issues affecting the MPA program to the attention of the MPA Committee for resolution; (e) coordinating the MPA program decisions with the other formal departmental committees, when relevant; (f) coordinating MPA program decisions between the MPA Committee and the Chair of the Department; and (g) convening the MPA Committee regularly.
6. Additional Administrative Appointments
Appointments to other departmental administrative positions are made by the Chair after consultation with the FAC. Appointments will be dependent upon the specific requirements of the position and the individual’s qualifications for the position. Duties, terms of office, and workload equivalencies shall be specified by the Chair in consultation with FAC.
7. Non-Academic Staff
The Department’s non-academic staff includes all classified and unclassified staff positions within the Department including but not limited to the secretarial staff. Each position has specific duties as defined in the applicable position description.