Other Department/School Guidelines

The mission of the School of Visual Communication Design reads as follows:

The mission of the School of Visual Communication Design is to provide a superior undergraduate and graduate education in the study and practice of visual communication design that complements University studies in the liberal arts, humanities, and sciences. Uniquely positioned within the College of Communication and Information, the School encourages cross-disciplinary studies to meet the challenges of an evolving global marketplace. Our teaching philosophy and rigorous curricula promote innovative thinking in the development of design processes, communication strategies, and emerging technologies.

The primary objectives of the School of Visual Communication Design are to:

1. Create an academic environment that promotes the intellectual and professional development of students and faculty;
2. Develop and maintain a commitment to creative endeavor, scholarly activity, research, graduate education, and undergraduate education that is commensurate with the goals and mission of the College of Communication and Information and Kent State University;
3. Provide programs for all students that meet the educational, aesthetic, theoretical and technological demands of the disciplines represented in the School;
4. Within the curricula, require courses in cognate academic disciplines that provide the necessary base for the career goals of students and faculty; and,
5. Provide the campus and community with service commensurate with a University.

Implicit in these objectives is our responsibility as educators, which includes but is not limited to educating undergraduate and graduate students while promoting and clarifying the role and philosophy of visual communication design education.

A strong commitment to creative activity and research means creating and maintaining a significant intellectual environment and achieving our broader commitments to the advancement of knowledge and service to the public.

Service to the University and to the general public unifies and clarifies the role of the University in the local community, in the State of Ohio, and in the nation, and is valued within the School, the College and the University.

Structure and Organization of the School

The School Director (hereinafter "Director") is the chief administrative officer of the School and reports directly to and is accountable to the Dean of the College (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 the School's various committees. The Director's duties and responsibilities shall include but are not limited to the following:

1. Ensuring School compliance with University, Administrative and Operational Policies, rules, regulations and any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
2. Developing and carrying out administrative and educational policies in the School, with appropriate consultation.
3. Developing the School's budget, with appropriate consultation.
4. Recommending new staff and faculty appointments to the Dean, with appropriate consultation.
5. Recommending the reappointment, non-reappointment, tenure, promotion, sanction and/or dismissal of faculty members in the School.
6. Appointing and directing the nonacademic staff of the School.
7. Recommending leaves of absence for faculty members in the School, including but not limited 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.
8. Notifying the Dean of the absence or resignation of a faculty member.
9. Recommending course changes through the appropriate Dean(s).
10. Assigning workload to faculty members, with appropriate consultation.
11. Scheduling classes and rooms through the appropriate University offices.
12. Overseeing the preparation of reports to University officials, as required and appropriate.
13. Maintaining custody of University property allocated to the School.
14. Supervising the academic counseling of student majors in the School.
15. Notifying the President's Office, through appropriate channels, of the needs of the School for which gifts or bequests should be sought or are being sought.
16. Promoting good communications and morale within the School.
17. Representing the School and communicating the views of its faculty in College and University affairs.
18. Keeping the School informed of the views and policies of the College and University administrations.
19. Maintaining appropriate balance and emphasis among the various disciplines of the School.
20. Performing 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, etc.

The Director is an ex officio, non-voting member of all School committees, and may make appointments as necessary to School committees and to the various administrative and service positions in the School, in keeping with University and relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements.

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.