Faculty Dean - Role and Responsibilities

1. Appointment of Faculty Dean

The Faculty Dean is formally appointed by the University Council and by Board. The Dean may be appointed by a) election; b) selection by internal or open competition; or (c) combined nomination and election. Further information on appointment is set out in the document Procedures for Appointment to Faculty Dean .

2. Term of Appointment

The term of appointment for Deanship is three years, renewable for a further three. In the case of appointment by open competition, the term of appointment will be six years, with review after three. Appointment will normally be taken up on 13 th July of the relevant year.

3. Faculty Dean

The role and responsibilities of the Faculty Dean will include the following

3.1 To support and facilitate academic and resource planning in Schools and Vice-Deaneries.
3.2 To provide guidance in the further development and implementation of new structures and resource management.
3.3 To support and advise in the implementation of the ‘Transition ARAM' plan for the four years of the transition period.
3.4 To play a role in the formation of Schools that may emerge in the future and in guiding the evolution of Schools.
3.5 To chair meetings of the Faculty and other committees within the Faculty as appropriate.
3.6 To act as an ‘honest broker' between Schools/Vice-Deaneries and between Schools/Vice-Deaneries and College centrally.
3.7 To provide academic leadership where the Faculty undertakes the administration of common entry / joint undergraduate courses.
3.8 To deal with all matters in relation to Faculty Courts of Appeal.
3.9 To have particular responsibility for encouraging and promoting interdisciplinary activity between faculties and for removing barriers to such activity.
3.10 To act as mediator and facilitator within and between Schools/Vice-Deaneries and across faculties.
3.11 To play a role in the promotions process.
3.12 To represent the interests of their Faculties in the governing processes of the College and to be part of the College's system of checks and balances in its governance arrangements, in particular providing a counter to the natural expression of self-interest at School/Vice-Deanery level.
3.13 To participate in quality assurance processes.
3.14 To chair selection committees for appointments in the Faculty with responsibility to see that due process is observed and standards maintained.
3.15 To be involved in grievance procedures where a grievance is against the Head of School/Vice Dean, in the context of agreed procedures and statutes.
3.16 To engage as appropriate in administering the process of appointment of Heads of School/Vice-Dean in the Faculty, and initiating processes for appointment of the Faculty Dean.
3.17 To provide, as has been the tradition with Deans to date, a strong well-informed sense of the College from the ‘front line' as well as a College-wide perspective on matters of policy.

Faculty Deans, with the Dean of Research, Dean of Graduate Studies, Dean of Students and Registrar (with particular responsibility for International Student Affairs) provide a compact and influential group without sectional budgetary bias which, acting as a Deans' Committee, should exert appropriate and expert influence on the formation and implementation of College strategy and on academic operations.

Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to restructuring@tcd.ie
Last Updated March 16, 2007.