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[tuxedo_cat]

Removing someone from the decanal suite does not always involve a public firing.  Behind the scenes one can be strongly encouraged by higher ups to retire, return to the faculty, or seek another appointment elsewhere.  Most people elect one of these three options rather than be publicly fired.

Yes, that makes sense.  It reflects badly on many others at an institution to have spent all that money and ended up hiring someone who was a "mistake."

[eddean]

Deans are regularly asked to step down. All those ads you see in the CHE are not the result of job changes, promotions and retirements. The process depends on the VPAA. S/he may give the person time to look for another position or the dean may simply return to the faculty if they have retreat rights. The dean role becomes more demanding each year as you are asked to be both  a full-time inside dean and a full-time outside dean.

[lbothwell3]

Tuxedo-Cat,

You sound a little peeved yourself. What I have seen over an 18 year career at three institutions is that incompetent deans do not get fired but should, competent ones ....only had one really, and she got tired of the crap and retired. I had one extremely incompetent dean who was given an ultimatum and retired. But that was only after having done some rather questionable things financially and getting caught. Current dean is as incompetent a "leader" as I have ever had, whether academy or industry. But he is now in his 8th year, and it would not surprise me at all if they renewed him again in 2 years.... He doesn't ruffle anyone's feathers. Doesn't lead at all, but does not ruffle feathers.

So to answer the OP, I think that the feedback you have received from most is right on: deans get canned when they P-off the wrong person (usually above), or pull some sort of fiscal hanky-panky. But seldom because of incompetence (IMHO).

LB

[skeptical]

Recently, my dean had to step down. Why? The president of the university wanted her to do something against the wishes of 97% (official total) of the faculty. Dean refused. Dean is now former dean. I don't blame the dean but she was SO good at her job.

[oldfullprof]

1.  If they are above their level of competence as dean, you can always promote them to provost.  Ask me why I know this.

2.  I'm glad they lose tenure in our system after a few years.  Demoted deans can be very expensive, since they may only lose 20 percent of their salary.