Academic Component Administrators

Academic Component Administrators (Department Chairs, School Directors/Associate Directors, and Associate Deans in the College of Nursing) hold multi-dimensional positions which include responsibilities for leadership and administration within their disciplines, while also representing their disciplines to the University community and to external constituencies. Academic Component Administrators (ACAs) are faculty members with a reassignment of duties to carry out the administrative role. They serve as leaders, scholars, managers, mentors, role models, and faculty colleagues, in addition to assisting the Academic Component (AC), College, and University in developing strategies for improving student and faculty success, instructional delivery, scholarly and creative achievement, departmental/school credibility, and curricular effectiveness. ACAs serve in a dual administrative/faculty capacity, representing both the faculty and administration in all academic matters in an environment of shared governance. All ACAs serve in their roles at the discretion of the Provost.  URP 02.130 outlines university regulations and procedures related to ACAs.

Responsibilities

The job description for an Academic Component Administrator includes specific responsibilities for visionary leadership; curriculum; student recruitment, retention, and success; and internal and external relations.  The ACA has administrative responsibilities including faculty supervision, management of faculty issues, workload assignments, hiring and supervision of staff and adjunct faculty, budget, facilities, and safety.  In addition, the ACA is a faculty member contributing in teaching, scholarship, and service, as appropriate, and demonstrating a commitment to continued professional development.

Qualifications

Appointment as an Academic Component Administrator requires that the faculty member be tenured and hold the rank of full Professor. Exceptions may occur upon the recommendation of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost following consultation with the Dean.

Appointment Process

The dean, in consultation with the provost and AC faculty, will determine when a search for an ACA will be initiated. The dean, as hiring agent, will subsequently recommend a candidate for ACA, whose appointment is subject to approval by the provost. Any administrative appointment is at the pleasure of the provost and can be terminated at the discretion of the provost in consultation with the dean. While serving a term, the ACA is a voting member of the Council of Chairs

Conditions of Appointment

It is expected that 50 to 100% of the ACA’s workload is administration and leadership of the academic component. The remainder of work is distributed among teaching, scholarship, and service; expectations are determined by the complexity, size, and needs of the academic component. The distribution of responsibilities is negotiated annually by the dean and ACA with final determination made by the dean. The normal and expected arrangement for compensation is that the ACA has a 12-month contract; a monthly stipend for administrative duties is added.