Matters of School Governance and Related Procedures

  2. Handbook Modification, Amendment and Revision

    The implementation, modification, amendment and revision of this Handbook are governed by the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. The School faculty will review and update this Handbook, as needed, but at least every three (3) years. Suggestions for modifications or amendments to the Handbook may be initiated at any time by the Director or by any faculty member. Proposed modifications or amendments are subject to discussion, revision, and recommendation by the FAC. When a proposed modification or amendment involves a major change in School policy or practice the Director may seek the recommendation of the entire faculty. If the Director concurs with a proposed modification, amendment or revision, he/she will recommend the change(s) to the Dean. All modifications, amendments and revisions of the Handbook require the approval of the Dean. In reviewing this Handbook the Dean may request revisions before lending final approval.  If these revisions are not adopted by the School, the Dean shall consult the CAC with regard to the provision(s) in dispute before making a final determination and certifying final approval of the Handbook. Further, the Dean may direct that the Handbook be modified, amended or revised to reflect changes in College or University policy. 

  3. Structure and Organization of the Department

    1. Administrative and Service Positions

      1. School Director

        The School Director of Theatre and Dance (hereinafter “Director”) is the chief administrative officer of the School and reports directly to and is accountable to the Dean of the College of the Arts (hereinafter “Dean”). The Director is responsible for recording, maintaining, and implementing the policies and procedures stated in this Handbook through regular and thorough consultation with the School faculty and committees. The Director's duties and responsibilities shall include but are not limited to the following:

        1. Ensure School compliance with University, Administrative and Operational Policies, rules, regulations and any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
        2. Develop and carry out administrative and educational policies in the School in consultation with the School faculty.
        3. Develop the School’s budget.
        4. Recommend new staff and faculty appointments to the Dean in consultation with the faculty.
        5. Recommend the reappointment, non-reappointment, tenure, promotion, sanction and/or dismissal of faculty members in the School.
        6. Appoint and direct the nonacademic staff of the School.
        7. Serve as Producing Director of all School and Porthouse Theatre productions.
        8. Recommend leaves of absence for faculty members in the School, including but not limited to Professional Improvement Leaves and other academic leaves and/or non-academic leaves, including but not limited to leaves of absence without pay, sick leave, temporary disability leaves, court leaves and/or military leaves of absence.
        9. Notify the Dean of the absence or resignation of a faculty member.
        10. Implement course changes through the appropriate committees.
        11. Assign workload to faculty members in consultation with the faculty.
        12. Schedule classes and rooms through the appropriate University offices.
        13. Oversee the preparation of reports to University officials, as required and appropriate.
        14. Maintain custody of University property allocated to the School.
        15. Supervise the academic counseling of student majors in the School.
        16. Communicate and work with the appropriate College and University staff on fund-raising and advancement initiatives to benefit the School of Theatre and Dance.
        17. Promote positive communication and morale within the School.
        18. Represent the School and communicate the views of its faculty in College and University affairs.
        19. Keep the School informed of the views and policies of the College and University administrations.
        20. Maintain appropriate balance and emphasis among the various disciplines of the School.
        21. Perform other tasks and duties as assigned, all of which cannot be cataloged and may include but not be limited to: following the progress of graduates; maintaining relationships with the Regional Campuses; providing orientation to new faculty; developing brochures of course syllabi.

        The Director is an ex-officio, non-voting member of all School committees, and may make appointments as necessary and permitted to School committees and to the various administrative and service positions in the School.

        The selection, review, and reappointment of the Director are the responsibilities of the Dean, who consults with the School faculty on such matters. Procedures for the selection, review and reappointment of the Director are included in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

      2. Graduate Coordinator

        The Graduate Coordinator is appointed by the Director after consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee (hereinafter “GSC”) and the Graduate Faculty. The appointment is for a three (3) year term and is renewable. The Graduate Coordinator must be a full member of the Graduate Faculty holding the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The Graduate Coordinator chairs the GSC and oversees the operation and development of the School's graduate programs. The Graduate Coordinator serves as the School liaison to the Graduate Studies. The duties of the Graduate Coordinator shall include but are not limited to:

        1. Oversee and coordinate admissions into the School's graduate programs.
        2. Facilitate, with the advice of the GSC, the awarding of graduate assistantships and teaching fellowships.
        3. Serve as School liaison to the College of the Arts, the Graduate College Council and the Graduate Studies.
        4. Conduct performance evaluations of graduate student teaching.
        5. Implement the current policies of the School's graduate programs and the current policies of the College of the Arts.
        6. Maintain and process graduate student records and inform students of their standing and progress toward degrees.
        7. Conduct reviews and make recommendations on Graduate Faculty status in consultation with the GSC.
        8. Facilitate changes and improvements in graduate curricula, requirements, and programs.
        9. Chair meetings of the GSC.
        10. Serve as advisor for the School's Graduate Student Forum.
        11. Approve individual investigations and special topics courses at the graduate level.

      3. Dance Division Coordinator

        The Dance Division Coordinator for the School is appointed by the School Director in consultation with the graduate faculty, the FAC, and the College Dean. Any regular full-time, tenured Dance Division faculty member shall be eligible for this appointment. The appointment is for a three-year term and is renewable. The functions of the Dance Coordinator are established by the School Director and include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

        1. Oversee and coordinate recruitment and admissions into the School's dance division.

        2. Convene meetings of the dance faculty.

        3. Represent dance faculty at school meetings

        4. Schedule dance courses.

        5. Initiate and coordinate changes and improvements in dance curricula, requirements, and programs.

        6. Maintain dance student records and advise dance students

        7. Recommend Dance division teaching and non-teaching assignments to the School Director.

        8. Recommend production responsibilities for all activities pertaining to dance productions, including but not limited to the Faculty Dance Concert, Kent Dance Ensemble, Student Dance Concert, and BFA Senior projects.

        9. Perform other duties as assigned.

      4. Additional Administrative Appointments

        Appointments to other administrative positions are made by the Director in consultation with the FAC. Appointments will be dependent upon the specific requirements of the position and an individual’s qualifications for the position.

      5. Non-Academic Staff

        The School's non-academic staff includes all classified and unclassified staff positions within the School including but not limited to the Administrative Assistant and secretarial staff. Each position has specific duties as defined in the applicable position description.

  4. School Committees

    All School committees are advisory and recommendatory to the Director. The membership, structure, and function of some of the School's committees are governed by University, Administrative and Operational Policies and the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Director may establish ad hoc committees in consultation with the FAC. The Director will welcome requests from faculty members for positions on the School’s various committees. The Director, when making appointments to School committees, will be mindful of the diversity of disciplines within the School and will consider the expertise and interests necessary for the effective functioning of specific committees.

    1. The Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC)

      The FAC is structured and operates in compliance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. The FAC is elected directly by the full-time faculty of the School. The FAC shall consist of nine members as follows:

      • TWO (2) representatives from tenure track dance faculty on the Kent campus.
      • TWO (2) representatives from tenure track theatre faculty in the acting area on the Kent campus.
      • TWO (2) representatives from tenure track theatre faculty in the design/technology area on the Kent campus. 
      • ONE (1) representative from tenure track theatre faculty in the area of theatre history/criticism on the Kent campus.
      • ONE (1) representative from non-tenure track full-time theatre and dance faculty on the Kent campus.
      • ONE (1) representative from tenure track or full-time non-tenure track regional campus theatre faculty on the regional campus.

      Tenure-track faculty members shall constitute a majority of the members of the FAC.

      The FAC elects one tenured member to act as the School representative to the College Advisory Committee (hereinafter “CAC”).

      FAC terms are for one (1) year. Elections are conducted in the Spring Semester and the FAC members assume office at the beginning of the Fall Semester. 

      The FAC is convened and chaired at least once per term by the Director who, in consultation with the FAC, sets the agenda for its meetings. FAC members may request that items be added to the agenda. Additional meetings of the FAC may be called by the Director, as needed, or upon a request by at least one-half of the members of the FAC. The FAC elects one (1) tenured member to act as the School representative to the College Advisory Committee (hereinafter “CAC”). 

    2. The Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)

      The GSC includes the following faculty members:

      1. All full-time faculty having graduate faculty status in the School.
      2. The Graduate Coordinator, who serves as the GSC Chair.
      3. One graduate student elected by the School’s Graduate Student Forum.

      The GSC and the Graduate Coordinator provide oversight and development of the School’s graduate program. The GSC is responsible for evaluating applications for admission and evaluating and recommending candidates for graduate appointments. The GSC is also responsible for monitoring the progress and academic performance of graduate students in the School. The GSC reviews proposals for new graduate courses, changes in course content and related curricular matters, and conducts periodic reviews of the School’s graduate program as a whole. 

    3. The Curriculum Committee (CC)

      The CC includes the following faculty members:

      1. Committee Chair and Faculty members appointed by the School Director.
      2. One (1) undergraduate student representative appointed by the UGCC.

      The CC provides oversight and development of the School’s undergraduate program. The UGCC makes recommendations on any and all matters that affect the undergraduate program of the School including but not limited to faculty proposals for new courses, changes in course content, major requirements, and other curricular matters. The CC reviews and decides student appeals regarding course substitution. The CC shall elect one (1) member with full graduate faculty status to serve on the College Curriculum Committee.

    4. Student Academic Complaint Committee

      The Student Academic Complaint Committee is composed of faculty members appointed by the School Director.  The School Director appoints the Chair of the Student Academic Complaint Committee. The policies and procedures of this committee are governed by University Policy 3342-4-02.3, including but not limited to the addition of at least one (1) student representative to the committee. An undergraduate student will be added to the committee for complaints from undergraduate courses and a graduate student will be added to the committee for complaints from graduate courses. 

      In the event that a member of the Student Academic Complaint Committee is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the FAC will select a replacement from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty.

    5. Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Committee

      The policies and procedures which govern the School’s Ad Hoc Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion (RTP) Committee are included in University Policy. Procedural and operational guidelines for this committee are provided annually by the Office of the Provost. This committee reviews materials relevant to the professional performance of faculty who are candidates for reappointment, tenure, or promotion in rank, and to make recommendations to the Director on each of these personnel decisions. The recommendations of this committee and the Director, together with the materials assembled for the committees, are forwarded to the Dean of the College. The Ad Hoc Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Committee is composed by all tenured members of FAC and all full professors in the School of Theatre and Dance.

    6. Other Ad Hoc Committees

      The Director may establish, charge, and appoint the membership of ad hoc committees as required by the School. In establishing ad hoc committees, naming members and designating a committee chair, the Director shall consult with the FAC. The Director will welcome requests and preferences from the faculty before establishing and making appointments to ad hoc committees.

    7. Other Standing Areas and Committees of the School

      • Dance Division Area Faculty
      • Performance Area Faculty
      • Design/Tech/ Production Area Faculty
      • History/Literature/Criticism Area Faculty
      • Student Production
      • Production Committee
      • Season Selection Committee
  1. Matters of School Governance and Related Procedures
    1. University Governance
    2. Handbook Modification, Amendment and Revision
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