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.
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 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.
Department The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities or any successor state agency.
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.