Role and Responsibilities of the Deans
Role of the Deans
Each of the four faculties has a Dean. Two of the Faculties incorporate subjects taught by several Schools (Arts and Science); two Faculties are focused upon a single School each (Divinity and Medicine). The distinction between these two categories of Faculties is reflected in several differences of operation and the role of the Deans.
The direct line manager of the Deans is the Master of the United College.
The Deans of Arts and Science are responsible for managing Faculty academic business, the administration of which is housed in the Registry.
The Dean of Medicine as head of the Medical School is responsible for:
- Strategic development, planning and management of the academic activities of the School of Medicine
- Resourcing and staffing of the medical school
- Line management of staff within the school
- External representation of the medical school
All Deans have a role in promoting the interests of their Faculties and of the academic community generally at University level.
Selection of Deans
Deans are appointed by the University Court on the recommendation of the Principal. The period of office is normally three years, following which the Principal may choose to reappoint a Dean for no longer than three years after a further round of consultation.
The Faculty of Medicine has a Dean appointed as Head of the School of Medicine by the University Court on the nomination of the Principal for a period determined by Court. This reflects in part the nature of this Faculty, its development and its external commitments.
The Dean of Divinity is also the Head of the School of Divinity and as such is appointed by the Court upon the nomination of the Principal and following the normal consultation process within the School. External vocational commitments are handled by the Principal of St Mary's College, who is appointed by the University Court.
Responsibilities of the Deans
The Faculty role
The Deans of Arts and Science have the senior role with regard to the application of procedures of quality assurance in learning and teaching with regard to the subjects covered by their respective faculties. In addition, they have oversight and ultimate decision-making powers in relation to the academic progress of students within the faculty.
For the Faculty of Divinity these roles are effectively assumed by the Dean of Arts in order to assure externality in the quality assurance procedures, although the Dean of Divinity does review and authorise grades reported in the Faculty of Divinity.
For the Faculty of Medicine the Dean of Medicine is responsible for ensuring quality of learning and teaching appropriate, not only to university standards and procedures (subject to review by the Cross-Faculty Consultative Group and the Academic Audit Committee),but also to the standards set by external medical professional bodies. Student progress in Medicine, including professional fitness to practice, also comes under the oversight of the Dean of Medicine (but with appropriate appeal mechanisms).
Faculty business
The Deans of Arts, Medicine and Science convene Faculty Business Committees, which are responsible for the routine work of the faculties. The Arts Faculty Business Committee additionally deals with all the academic business relating to the Faculty of Divinity (the smallest of the faculties).
The Faculty Business Committee (FBC) also comprises the undergraduate and postgraduate Pro Deans, plus a Schools' assessor where appropriate. The FBC has oversight of all student requests, all module and programme proposals (for first-stage approval), the appointment of external examiners for all programmes, and the appointment of honorary staff within the faculty. It adjudicates on initial appeals against Termination of Studies.
The Faculty Business Committee may also draw upon its experience of such business to propose new policies for consideration by the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee, as part of its role in quality enhancement.
Module and degree results
The Deans have responsibility for monitoring and approving all reported module grades for subjects within their faculties.
The Deans are responsible for approving all final degree results and thus are responsible for the graduation of students within their faculties. In this respect Deans report directly to the President of Senate.
The Deans co-ordinate the meeting of Joint Examinations Boards.
Deans give permission to use University processes for cases of major academic fraud and appoint Boards of Adjudication for such cases.
Deans will investigate and take decisions in relation to those academic appeals and complaints made to them.
Advisory role in relation to academic Schools
A Dean may advise Heads of School on faculty procedures. Deans have the right to withhold their authorisation when procedures for which they are responsible are not observed. Serious concerns about a School's activities are referred to the Master.
Faculty meetings
The Deans will normally convene at least one annual General Meeting of their faculty. Alongside this meeting, Deans have a responsibility to elicit the views of their colleagues.
The University role
Senate/Academic Council, Senate Business Committee, Teaching Learning & Assessment Committee (TLAC), Research Committee, Cross-Faculty Consultative Group, TLA Admissions and Exchanges sub-committee. Deans of Arts and Science are ex officio members of all of the above Committees and speak to Faculty and Cross-Faculty business, while the Deans of Divinity and Medicine are members of some of them.
Public role within the University
A Dean will take part in various University functions, such as the inaugural professorial lectures, induction sessions for new staff and new students, welcome briefings for parents of students, etc.
External roles
The Deans may represent their faculties at the Scottish and UK Deans' Associations.
Ex Officio membership of certain court committees
The Deans of Arts and Science are ex officio members of the following Committees:
- Planning and Resources Committee (PARC)
- Staff Committee (including the Probation sub-committee and Promotions Panels)
- Academic Audit Committee (including internal School and Unit reviews)
Appeals and complaints processes
Deans will regularly serve on Academic Appeal and Complaint Committees for cases involving students of other faculties when the appeal or complaint progresses to University level.
Academic staff appointment committees
Deans serve on all selection committees for appointing new academic staff within their faculties and all new professorial staff throughout the University in order to promote a consistency of standards in research and teaching across the University.
Quality enhancement activities
In addition to their role in quality assurance, Deans also assist the in promoting quality enhancement of learning and teaching within the University at large through the Quality Enhancement Steering Group and through their participation in the formulation of new policies and the dissemination of good practice.
Interdisciplinary research
Deans assist the Master of the United College in promoting research that crosses School boundaries and academic disciplines.
Contributing to projects or tasks under the management of the Principal's Office
Deans may be directed by the Master to assist members of the Principal's Office on certain projects or working groups.