Department Chairpersons 17.1 In each elementary, middle and senior high school, the need for department chairpersons/team leaders shall be determined by the principal. Each such department chairperson/team leader shall be appointed for one
(1) academic year. If possible, such appointment should be made prior to the end of the preceding academic year. Teachers shall have the right to refuse such appointment. Team leaders will have coordinating and planning functions for their teams and shall serve as liaison between their teams and the principal. They shall not be considered administrative employees.
17.2 When feasible, and after consultation with them, department chairpersons and team leaders will be provided with release time commensurate with the responsibilities assigned to them by their principal.
Departments Each teaching member shall belong to one home department. Departments of a university shall be established by the University administration with the advice of the Senate according to criteria of commonality of interest and academic purpose, without any numerical limits on size. Divisions or other major groupings of departments with some common interest may also be formed.
5.14.1 Interdisciplinary academic programs may also be established by the University Administration with the advice of the Senate following consultation with appropriate faculty bodies. Members who teach in or direct such programs shall remain members of their home departments.
Department Heads Department heads shall normally be tenured and hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in one of the departments to be served, unless mutually agreed to by the departmental faculty and administration.
3.1.2.1 When it becomes known that a department head position will become vacant, or if the department head position has already become vacant, or if a new department is created, the xxxx of the college shall meet with the department faculty within two (2) weeks to discuss qualifications and expectations for the position. Specific guidelines will be formulated which may include:
a. Whether internal and/or external candidates shall be considered
b. Desired qualifications, including rank
c. Budgetary considerations
d. The target number of recommended candidates that will be submitted to the xxxx for consideration
3.1.2.1.1 Following the discussion described in 3.1.2.1, the department faculty shall communicate their recommendations within two (2) weeks to the xxxx. The xxxx shall promptly confirm or modify the department faculty’s recommendations and communicate the guidelines and procedures in choosing the new department head.
3.1.2.2 The department faculty will formulate its recommendation(s) among all candidates and forward same to the xxxx, with supporting rationale. When the department faculty is able to find more than one (1) acceptable candidate, the department may rank order its list of acceptable candidates and give reasons for its ranking. If the department is able to find only one (1) acceptable candidate, it shall recommend that candidate. If the department faculty does not find an acceptable candidate, the search will be ended. The xxxx will review the departmental recommendation(s) with the PVPAA. If the department’s recommendation(s) is approved by the PVPAA, the PVPAA shall recommend the appointment of the candidate to the President of the University. If the University does not accept the recommended candidate(s), the University has the right to declare the search process has ended.
3.1.2.3 In the event a department head position is not filled in a timely fashion through the preceding procedures, the Board may appoint a department head for a period not to exceed one (1) year. During this year the procedures specified in sections 3.1.2.1 and 3.
Meetings and Hearings All meetings and hearings under this procedure shall not be conducted in public and shall include only such parties in interest and their designated or selected representatives, heretofore referred to in this Article.
Department Seniority Department seniority is defined as continuous length of service in calendar days within the employee’s department and where applicable, shall be used for internal department processes, such as vacation and schedule bids.
Department Head A. Within ten (10) business days from his/her receipt of the decision resulting from the previous level, the employee may appeal to the Department Head using the original copy of the grievance.
B. Within ten (10) business days from the receipt of the employee's grievance, the Department Head or his/her designated representative who has not been involved in the grievance in prior levels shall make a thorough review of the grievance, meet with the parties involved and give a written decision and the reasons therefore to the employee and the Union representative. However, the Department Head or designate is not limited to denying a grievance for the reasons stated at any previous level in the procedure. Upon request, a copy of the decision will be given to the Union representative.
C. If the Department Head or his/her designated representative fails to give a decision within the specified time limit, the Union shall have the option of referring a grievance alleging a violation of the negotiated agreement between the parties to arbitration.
D. On matters that are not subject to arbitration pursuant to Section 8 hereafter, the written decision of the Department Head or his/her designated representative shall be final.
Departmental Seniority Departmental seniority is defined as the length of employment within the employee’s current department. Department seniority shall accrue as of the first day of employment or transfer into a new department.
Department Chairs The release time required to perform the administrative functions of the Department Chair positions shall be deducted from the total workload of the Department Chair with no less than fifty percent (50%) of this release taken from direct instructional duties.
Safety Meetings Accident investigation.
Department The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities or any successor state agency.
