Directors provide leadership in planning, implementing and administering of the work of a Department/Unit, represent the opinions of Faculty to administration, communicate administrative decisions to Faculty and have reporting responsibilities to their respective Vice President.
1. Eligibility Faculty shall be eligible for the position of Director if they
- have a master’s or doctoral degree.
- hold the rank of Counsellor II/Researcher II or higher.
- have administrative experience.
- have a minimum of five (5) years in higher education or relevant experience at the time of the election, inclusive of three (3) full years’ service in the relevant Department/Unit.
Note: Faculty on contract must be eligible for a new contract; however, the term of office automatically ends at the expiration of the contract unless the contract is renewed.
2. Election Process
- Elections shall take place no later than the end of the spring semester of the calendar year in which the term of office of the Director expires and shall be conducted by the Vice President (VP), Human Resources (HR) or designate.
- At least four (4) months prior to the election of a Director, the VP, HR, shall notify the Department/Unit of the impending vacancy and call for nominations, with the consent of the nominees, and/or applications to be forwarded to the VP, HR.
- At least six (6) weeks prior to the election, candidates shall forward a résumé of their relevant background and experience as well as a statement of purpose regarding administering the affairs of the Department/Unit to the VP, HR.
- At least one (1) month prior to the election, Human Resources shall forward the list of candidates to Faculty in the relevant Department/Unit, copied the relevant Vice President, and the candidates’ résumés and statements of purpose to the Faculty of the Department/Unit for review.
- Under the supervision of the VP, HR (or designate), the Department/Unit shall elect the Director from the list of candidates.
- Voting shall be by secret ballot shall be counted by Human Resources and a representative at the meeting
- Faculty shall have one (1) vote only; proxy votes shall be allowed; decisions shall be by majority vote.
- In the event of a tie, an immediate runoff shall be held.
- The election of the Director shall be verified by the VP, HR in a letter addressed to the President and copied to the relevant Vice President. The President shall notify the Board.
3. Term of Office
- The Director shall be elected for an initial term of two (2) years, with eligibility for a one (1)-year extension.
- After three (3) years in office, the Director shall not be eligible for re-election for another three (3) years.
4. Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and evaluate goals and objectives of the Department/Unit consistent with the mission and strategic plan of the Institute.
- Ensure the compliance of Faculty, staff and students with Institute policies.
- Supervise Faculty, staff and students.
- Plan and conduct monthly Department/Unit meetings and circulate minutes to all Faculty, including Faculty on other campuses.
- Coordinate the design, development and delivery of new programs and/or projects and courses where applicable.
- In collaboration with Assistant Director initiate, plan and implement project and program reviews and course reviews where applicable.
- In consultation with the Assistant Director, develop work schedules and assignments.
- Make recommendations for and give assistance in the selection, appointment and orientation of new Faculty and staff.
- Facilitate professional development of Faculty and staff.
- Conduct the performance assessment of Faculty and staff.
- Develop and implement guidelines and procedures for the efficient operation of the Department/Unit and ensure that Faculty, staff and student records are maintained.
- Encourage communication and collegiality among Faculty, staff and students. Promote and maintain effective lines of communication with management, the Institute and external communities.
- Manage student complaints.
- Prepare annual budget estimates and manage allocated budgets and other resources.
- Represent the Department/Unit on Institute/external boards and committees.
- Liaise with other Schools/ Departments/Units.
- Prepare and submit an annual end-of-year report to the relevant Vice President.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President.
5. Removal of Director
- If eighty percent (80%) of the Faculty Members of the Unit deem that the Director is not carrying out his/her duties in a satisfactory manner, the Department/Unit may recommend in writing to the relevant Vice President that the Director be recalled. The Vice President shall advise the President and request the VP, HR to hold new elections.