Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy
– December 2, 2023
Page 1 of 5
SELECTION,
REVIEW
AND
REAPPOINTMENT
OF
A
DEAN
POLICY
Policy Type:
Management
Initially
Approved:
December 2, 2023
Policy Sponsor:
Provost and Vice-
President, Academic
Last Revised:
Primary
Contact:
AVP, Human
Resources
Review
Scheduled:
December 2, 2028
Approver:
Board of Governors
A.
OVERVIEW
Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act states that the board of the university shall appoint a dean
for each faculty of the university.
The Board of Governors has delegated their authority on this matter to the President, in accordance
with procedures approved by the Board of Governors.
B.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy is to outline the process for the selection, appointment, and
reappointment of Deans.
B.
POLICY STATEMENT
1.
TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office of a Dean shall normally be for a period of five years, renewable for an
additional term of up to five years. An individual would not normally serve for more than
two consecutive terms, but may be invited to do so under special circumstances.
2.
SEARCH AND SELECTION OF A NEW DEAN
2.1
Not more than eighteen (18) months, but not less than twelve (12) months, prior to
the expiration of the final term of a Dean or upon the resignation of a Dean, the
Provost and Vice-President, Academic shall form a Selection Committee with a
membership that is consistent with Search Principles outlined in this Policy.
2.2
The following search principles shall be observed:
a.
Efficient and streamlined committee composition, normally no more than
ten members.
b.
Elected or appointed representation from those within the University who
work most closely with the position.
Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy
– December 2, 2023
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c.
The possibility of the appointment of additional committee members to
ensure appropriate balance (e.g., to address equity, expertise or
discipline).
d.
Opportunities for participation and input from members of the University
Community.
e.
Openness and accountability in the process and confidentiality in the
deliberations.
f.
Recognition of the impact of the position on the community outside the
University.
g.
Attention to issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, access, bias awareness
and discrimination.
2.3
The Selection Committee composition varies by Faculty and is outlined in Appendix
A: Selection Committee of a Dean. The Associate Vice-President Human Resources
(or designate) shall serve as a resource to the Selection Committee.
2.4
The recruitment process shall be carried out in accordance with the Procedure for
the Selection of a Dean.
3.
APPOINTMENT OF A NEW DEAN
The appointment will be made by the President on the advice of the Provost and Vice-
President, Academic.
4.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF A DEAN
4.1 The Dean will undergo an annual performance review by the Provost and Vice-
President, Academic. Each Dean will provide the Provost and Vice-President, Academic
with an annual report of activities and accomplishments over the previous year and a list
of objectives for the coming year.
4.2 At the end of t
he second year of the Dean’s term, the Provost and Vice-President,
Academic shall invite the Chair(s), manager(s), faculty and staff members of the
appropriate Faculty, along with others who may be appropriate from the University
Community, to provide input into the formative review of the Dean.
Each individual will be invited to submit in writing, comments regarding the
performance of the Dean. Comments regarding performance (positive or
negative) should be supported with examples related to specific circumstances.
In cases of negative feedback, constructive ideas/suggestions for improvement
should also be provided.
4.3 Jointly the Dean and the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, shall review the
annual report (and at the end of the second year of the term, the overall trends of the
community feedback), with an intent of setting priorities, goals and plans for improving
performance.
5.
REAPPOINTMENT OF A DEAN
Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy
– December 2, 2023
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5.1 An incumbent shall normally indicate to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, in
writing, eighteen (18) months in advance of the end of their current term if they wish to
seek reappointment
.
5.2
Upon confirmation of intent to seek reappointment, the Provost and Vice-President,
Academic shall strike a Reappointment Committee.
5.3
The Reappointment Committee composition varies by Faculty and is outlined in
Appendix B: Reappointment Committee of a Dean
5.4
The reappointment of a Dean shall be carried out in accordance with the Procedure
for Reappointment of a Dean.
5.5
The Committee shall advise the Provost and Vice-President, Academic on a
recommendation to make to the President. This recommendation will normally be
made six months prior to the end of the incumbent’s current term.
5.6
If the incumbent is not to be reappointed, a Selection Committee shall be established
as per the guidelines for the appointment of a new Dean.
6.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All discussions regarding the search and appointment or reappointment of a Dean shall
be carried out in confidence.
C.
DEFINITIONS
(1)
Dean:
Means a dean of a Faculty within the Academic Affairs Division.
(2)
Policy:
means the Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy
(3)
University:
means Mount Royal University
(4)
University
Community:
The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University, Mount Royal
University faculty, staff and students.
D.
RELATED POLICIES
E.
RELATED LEGISLATION
F.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
● Procedure for Selection of a Dean
● Procedure for Reappointment of a Dean
● Appendix A: Selection Committee of a Dean
● Appendix B: Reappointment Committee of a Dean
Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy
– December 2, 2023
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G.
REVISION HISTORY
Date
(mm/dd/yyyy)
Description of
Change
Sections
Author
(Position Title)
Approver
(Position Title)
12/02/2023
Initially Approved
Board of Governors
APPENDIX A: Selection Committee of a Dean
1. The Selection Committee for the Dean, University Library shall consist of:
a. the Provost and Vice-President, Academic as Chair of the Committee;
b. one Dean appointed by the Selection Committee Chair;
c. one Associate Dean, Academic Director or Chair from the unit, elected by the Associate Deans,
Academic Directors and Chairs in the unit
– the unit being all those who report, either directly
or indirectly, to the Dean;
d. two tenured faculty members normally from the unit elected by the faculty in the unit;
e. one faculty member selected by the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA);
f.
one staff member from the unit selected by the Mount Royal Staff Association (MRSA);
g.
one student selected by the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU).
h. The Provost and Vice-President, Academic may appoint one or two members to ensure
balance, representation and equity.
2. The Selection Committee for the Dean, Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension shall
consist of:
a. the Provost and Vice-President, Academic as Chair of the Committee;
b. one Dean appointed by the Selection Committee Chair;
c. one manager from the unit elected by the managers in the unit
– the unit being all those who
report, either directly or indirectly, to the Dean;
d. one instructor elected by the instructors in the unit.
e. one instructor from the unit elected by the instructors of the unit;
f.
one staff member from the unit elected by the staff members of the unit ;
g. one student normally from the unit, appointed by the Provost and Vice-President, Academic.
Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy
– December 2, 2023
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h. The Provost and Vice-President, Academic may appoint one or two members to ensure
balance, representation and equity.
3. The Selection Committee for Deans of all other Faculties shall consist of:
a. the Provost and Vice-President, Academic as Chair of the Committee;
b. one Dean appointed by the Selection Committee Chair;
c. one Associate Dean, Academic Director or Chair from the unit, elected by the Associate Deans,
Academic Directors and Chairs in the unit
– the unit being all those who report, either directly
or indirectly, to the Dean;
d. two tenured faculty members from the unit elected by faculty in the unit;
e. one faculty member selected by the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA);
f.
one staff member from the unit selected by the Mount Royal Staff Association (MRSA);
g.
one student normally from the unit selected by the Students’ Association of Mount Royal
University (SAMRU).
h. The Provost and Vice-President, Academic may appoint one or two members to ensure
balance, representation and equity.
APPENDIX B: Reappointment Committee of a Dean
1. The Reappointment Committee for the Dean, Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension
shall consist of:
a. the Provost and Vice-President, Academic as Chair of the Committee;
b. one Dean appointed by the Reappointment Committee Chair;
c. one manager from the unit elected by the managers in the unit
– the unit being all those
who report, either directly or indirectly, to the Dean;
d. one instructor or staff member of the unit elected by the instructors and staff members of
the unit.
2. The Reappointment Committee for the University Library and all other Faculties shall consist
of:
a. the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, as Chair of the Committee;
b. one Dean appointed by the Reappointment Committee Chair;
c. two tenured faculty members (one of whom will be a Chair) elected by the faculty
members in the unit;
d. one manager or staff member of the unit elected by the managers and staff members of
the unit.