Procedure for selection of the Director of the Biomolecular Sciences Program
Tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics are eligible to serve as Director. Individuals are elected for five-year terms. The position will be at least 10-months, but may be 11- or 12-months depending on the needs of the program, the current research activity of the director, and the decision of the COAS Dean. The BMOL Director position is comparable to the position of Department Chair within the College of Arts and Sciences.
A. Nominations
Candidates for Director may be nominated by BMOL faculty or self-nominate. Nominations will be collected by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the dean’s representative. The deadline for nominations will be March 15 of the academic year prior to the appointment of the new Director or reappointment of a seated Director.
B. Interviews
The candidates will be available for an interview by BMOL faculty one-two weeks prior to the faculty survey. Interviews will be recorded so that the faculty who are unable to attend the scheduled meetings may have an opportunity to hear from the candidates.
C. Survey of BMOL Faculty
All BMOL faculty members will be eligible to respond to an electronic survey on the candidates distributed during the second full week in April. Responses will be anonymous, but the Dean will be able to see responses grouped by department.
D. Survey of Department Chairs
The Chairs of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics will have independent meetings with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to share their evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.
E. Appointment and reporting of the BMOL Director
After weighing the faculty and chair survey results, the Dean will appoint the BMOL Director. The Director will report to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
F. Evaluation of Coordinator:
The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences solicits annual evaluation comments from all faculty, graduate students, and staff concerning the performance of the BMOL Director. The Dean administers the annual evaluation of the BMOL Director.
G. Option for additional terms:
After serving an initial 5-year term, the Director may seek additional terms of service. Should other candidates be interested in serving as Director, i.e., in competition with the current Director for the position, the procedures listed in Sections A-D. shall be followed.
H. Interim Directors:
Interim Directors may be appointed for periods of up to 1 year to facilitate sabbatical leaves by the serving Director or other reasons requested by the BMOL faculty. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will seek self-nominations for this role, and in consultation with the Chairs of the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Physics, will appoint an Interim Director.