Section 1: Mission, History, and General Organization
1.7 Academic Affairs Administration
This section outlines the administrative roles and responsibilities in academic affairs matters as performed by department chairs and by certain members of the Dean’s staff. In addition to the positions listed in this section, other persons also report to the Dean (see §1.9, University Organization Chart). The positions listed below are those most involved in the day-to-day academic management and planning of academic affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Dean reports directly to the Provost, who serves as the University’s chief academic officer and is responsible for oversight of all academic programs, academic planning and budgets, and faculty matters.
1.7.1.1 Appointments, Terms, and Compensation Chairs are nominated by their respective departments by means of a majority vote. The nominee must be tenured, unless the President makes a specific exception to this general rule. The nomination requires the concurrence of the Dean and constitutes a recommendation to the President who shall make the final decision and formal appointment. The term of office is three years. Usually chairs are not appointed for more than two consecutive terms (six years); exceptions to this practice may be requested of the President by majority vote of the department. Chairs receive a reduced teaching load and a salary supplement, approved annually by the Board of Visitors. Both the release time and the salary supplement vary according to the size of the department.
1.7.1.2 Duties The implementation of academic programs is vested mainly in the academic departments, and the administration of these departments is the responsibility of the chairs. Major aspects of departmental administration include providing academic leadership; presiding over department meetings; scheduling classes and assigning faculty to them; allocating department space; administering the departmental operating budget; taking the lead in recruiting, hiring (or terminating), evaluating and rewarding the department’s faculty; and recommending faculty reappointments, promotions, and tenure (see §5). As part of the shared responsibility for academic governance, faculty committees are often formed in departments to make recommendations and otherwise assist the chair and the department faculty in the conduct of business required to effectively carry out departmental administration. The size of the department, and the nature and complexity of its administration and organization, will influence the kinds of departmental committees constituted. All Department Chairs meet as a group with the Dean at the beginning of each semester and at other times as the Dean deems appropriate for the purpose of discussing educational issues and advising the Dean on matters relevant to planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the educational program. Chairs also meet individually with the Dean at least once per academic year.
1.7.1.3 Evaluation Chairs are evaluated annually by the Dean, with written input from all departmental faculty members. These evaluations take place during the same period of time in the fall semester over which annual faculty evaluations are conducted (see §5.1).
1.7.2 Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Serves as deputy to the Dean in matters pertaining to faculty, the curriculum, internal grants, and academic programs. He or she also manages the summer session, serves as editor in chief of the Academic Catalog, and is responsible for updating the Faculty Handbook as necessary. These program directors report to the Associate Vice President: the Director of the Writing Intensive Program; the Director of the Speaking Intensive Program; the Director of the UMW Debate Program; and the Director of Career Services (only on matters pertaining to student internships). The Associate Dean for Academic Services also reports directly to the Associate Vice President.
1.7.3 Associate Dean for Academic Services Directs and coordinates all activities related to undergraduate academic advising, tutoring, and study skills development. The Office is also responsible for enforcing and implementing academic policies and procedures as established by the institution. Two Assistant Deans of Academic Services support the Associate Dean in implementing the operations and activities of the Office.
1.7.4 The Director of Disabilities Services This staff member, who reports directly to the Associate Dean for Academic Services, provides advice on all aspects of disability services, and arranges appropriate academic accommodation and support for students with disabilities, in compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
1.7.5 Director of the Office of International Academic Services Reporting directly to the Dean, this staff member performs duties related to international academic programs and services, including: maintaining information on study-abroad programs; assisting and supporting students and faculty who are planning or participating in study-abroad programs; serving as the University’s agent in all matters related to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services; advising and supporting international students enrolled at the University; and advising the Dean on international programs and on matters related to the curriculum.