Selection, Review and Reappointment of a Dean Policy – December 2, 2023

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SELECTION,

REVIEW

AND

REAPPOINTMENT

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

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.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to outline the process for the selection, appointment, and

reappointment of Deans.

POLICY STATEMENT

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.

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:

Efficient and streamlined committee composition, normally no more than

ten members.

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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The possibility of the appointment of additional committee members to

ensure appropriate balance (e.g., to address equity, expertise or

discipline).

Opportunities for participation and input from members of the University

Community.

Openness and accountability in the process and confidentiality in the

deliberations.

Recognition of the impact of the position on the community outside the

University.

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.

APPOINTMENT OF A NEW DEAN

The appointment will be made by the President on the advice of the Provost and Vice-

President, Academic.

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 the 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.

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.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All discussions regarding the search and appointment or reappointment of a Dean shall

be carried out in confidence.

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.

RELATED POLICIES

RELATED LEGISLATION

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

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REVISION HISTORY

Date

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Description of

Change

Sections

Author

(Position Title)

Approver

(Position Title)

12/02/2023

Initially Approved

Board of Governors

04/28/2025

Editorial

Appendix A

Policy Advisor

Policy Sponsor

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 from the unit elected by the instructors of the unit;
e.  one staff member from the unit elected by the staff members of the unit ;
f.  one student normally from the unit, appointed by the Provost and Vice-President, Academic.
g.  The Provost and Vice-President, Academic may appoint one or two members to ensure

balance, representation and equity.

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3. The Selection Committee for Deans of

all other Faculties shall consist of:

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.