next »

[soontoexit]

We just had the bomb dropped on us that our Dean will begin serving as both our Dean and Dept. Chair (resulting from unsuccessful chair search). This is a very controlling, manipulative dean who I'm sure is relishing the opportunity to exert further control over us without a middle man.

Is there a precedent for this? What should we make of it? What potential pitfalls loom ahead? I plan to go to the Provost and express my dismay over this "arrangement" but want to present a clear list of concerns about the myriad of ways this could all go wrong. (One obvious disadvantage is that the Dean will now get to vote twice on all pre-tenure, tenure, and post-tenure portfolios).

What are issues may come into play?

[prytania3]

Do you have a union?

[systeme_d_]

Is your department technically in receivership in this case?

If so, there may be some rules in your faculty handbook that might help you.

[soontoexit]

Do you have a union?

No, we do not have a union.

[soontoexit]

Is your department technically in receivership in this case?

If so, there may be some rules in your faculty handbook that might help you.

I'm not sure what you mean by "receivership." I'm fairly certain our handbook does not address this issue, unless you are referring to the promotion/tenure concern.

[busyslinky]

This is just a restructuring issue.  If you liked the Dean as a benevolent Dean (who was replacing a tyrant of a Chair) then it may be seen as a good thing.  The major concern I would see as a Provost is whether the Dean would have the time and resources to dedicate managing the minutae and details of a given department.  Deans' roles have extended and, in many cases, focused on external activities, especially raising funds.  Will this additional internal work get in the way?  

I don't see how a union will affect whether management and administration is made by a Dean, Chair, or even Provost.  Sounds like an administrative decision.  

If I were the other departments, I would actually be concerned that you have the direct ear of the Dean and can ask them for resources directly or lobby them more effectively, at least.

But, if things are dysfunctional...well that's a different story, similar problems would occur with or without a chair since the Dean could probably replace Chairs until they found one that 'thought the same way'.

[ursula]

I don't see how a union will affect whether management and administration is made by a Dean, Chair, or even Provost.  Sounds like an administrative decision.  

Just as an example of how a union can make a difference:  our (union) contract mandates that the Chair must be a member of the union, which deans are not; also, chairs are elected by the department and can only be removed by a vote or by the dean proving extreme misconduct or incompetence.

[georgiaprof]

I had a colleague who was both dean and department chair - but it was a peculiar situation.  He did well.  It was funny, however, when a student complained to him as chair and then didn't like the response.  He would refer said student to the dean and then smile when the student asked who the dean was.

[prytania3]

 The major concern I would see as a Provost is whether the Dean would have the time and resources to dedicate managing the minutae and details of a given department.  Deans' roles have extended and, in many cases, focused on external activities, especially raising funds.  Will this additional internal work get in the way?  

Actually, this might be a good thing. As long as the dean gets the schedule done, she won't have time to bother your department. In other words, your department might be strikingly on its own--which, imo, is not a bad thing.

[clean]

At my last job, the Provost was also Dean of the Colege of Liberal Arts.  I dont work there anymore, (Thank Goodness), but he would often refer to himself as "The provost thinks ..."  I guess that he had to do that in case the dean part of him disagreed.

It is less than an ideal situation.  This is one of those danger signs that prompted me to apply for other jobs.

[aandsdean]

I had a colleague who was both dean and department chair - but it was a peculiar situation.  He did well.  It was funny, however, when a student complained to him as chair and then didn't like the response.  He would refer said student to the dean and then smile when the student asked who the dean was.

Ever since I was chair for the first time (it's been 13 years now), I've really enjoyed student appeals from my classes for just this reason.

[aandsdean]

At my last job, the Provost was also Dean of the Colege of Liberal Arts.  I dont work there anymore, (Thank Goodness), but he would often refer to himself as "The provost thinks ..."  I guess that he had to do that in case the dean part of him disagreed.

It is less than an ideal situation.  This is one of those danger signs that prompted me to apply for other jobs.

Aandsdean believes that anyone who refers to himself in the third person is showing definite signs of madness and is to be avoided.  Aandsdean has learned this lesson the hard way.

[notaprof]

At my last job, the Provost was also Dean of the Colege of Liberal Arts.  I dont work there anymore, (Thank Goodness), but he would often refer to himself as "The provost thinks ..."  I guess that he had to do that in case the dean part of him disagreed.

It is less than an ideal situation.  This is one of those danger signs that prompted me to apply for other jobs.

Aandsdean believes that anyone who refers to himself in the third person is showing definite signs of madness and is to be avoided.  Aandsdean has learned this lesson the hard way.

Aandsdean is making notaprof a bit worried.  However, notaprof would just like aandsdean to know that donuts o'fosters have been tasted and notaprof is most grateful that aandsdean knows his donuts.

[aandsdean]

At my last job, the Provost was also Dean of the Colege of Liberal Arts.  I dont work there anymore, (Thank Goodness), but he would often refer to himself as "The provost thinks ..."  I guess that he had to do that in case the dean part of him disagreed.

It is less than an ideal situation.  This is one of those danger signs that prompted me to apply for other jobs.

Aandsdean believes that anyone who refers to himself in the third person is showing definite signs of madness and is to be avoided.  Aandsdean has learned this lesson the hard way.

Aandsdean is making notaprof a bit worried.  However, notaprof would just like aandsdean to know that donuts o'fosters have been tasted and notaprof is most grateful that aandsdean knows his donuts.

Aandsdean appreciates notaprof's expression of confidence is his donutual expertise--and is gratified that the d's o'f have been gratifying.  Aandsdean is not asserting that he's bobdole, though there's at least some possibility that he is.  Aandsdean has driven through Kansas many times, at the very least.

[yellowtractor]

Did someone say donuts??