Consistent with University Policy and best practices, the University of Utah has an open and transparent process for selecting, compensating, and reviewing individuals who, while holding faculty appointments, are also appointed to serve as a University Administrator (e.g., program/center directors, chairs, deans, etc).
Administrator Searches & Appointments
Appointments for administrative positions will follow a typical search and hiring process—which includes either an internal or external search and posting and managing the search in PeopleAdmin—unless a search waiver is sought and approved.
An external search process will follow the typical faculty hiring process.
Internal search and selection activities might include some or all of the following:
* Invitation for nominations (including self-nominations)
* Consultation with faculty, staff, and/or students
* Search committee that recruits, screens, interviews, and recommends final candidates
Public presentation
* Meetings with relevant leadership, including the appointing official
Search waivers must be sought and approved through the Office for Faculty prior to any discussions with the candidate (see SVPAA Guideline for Search Waivers).
Contact the Office for Faculty with any questions, and see the SVPAA Guideline for Appointments of Faculty to Administrative Positions for additional information.
The SVPAA Guideline – Appointments of Faculty to Administrative Positions contains information regarding the appointment process for administrative positions.
Length of Appointment
All administrative appointments are at the pleasure of the appointing official, which must be noted in the offer letter. In addition, these appointments have fixed durational terms, which are typically three years for directors, chairs, and associate deans; and five years for deans, library directors, and AVPs. As required by University Policy, if renewal is sought, the individual must undergo an appropriate review.
Administrator Hiring Process
Once the finalist for an administrative position has been determined, a hire will need to take place. The process will include the submission of a Hiring Proposal within PeopleAdmin.
Contact the Office for Faculty for additional information.
Prior to making an offer to a final candidate for an administrative position, the Appointing Officer must receive the requisite approvals. To receive approval to make an offer, submit a Hiring Proposal in PeopleAdmin.
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Approval to make first an oral offer and second a written offer happens through the PeopleAdmin Hiring Proposal process. Please, do not contact your candidate prior to receiving approval.
When to make a Verbal Offer: Once the AVP for Faculty has reviewed the PeopleAdmin Hiring Proposal, you will receive an email either with questions, or with approval to begin verbal negotiations.
While verbal negotiations are taking place, the Hiring Proposal will go through Budget Approval and the draft offer letter will be reviewed.
When to make a Written Offer: Once the Office for Faculty moves the PeopleAdmin Hiring Proposal to “Hire Approved,” you may send a written offer (with the details from your verbal negotiations) to the candidate for their signature.
Administrator Reviews & Reappointments
University Administrators undergo regular annual reviews with their direct supervisors and have more extensive reviews periodically throughout the terms of their administrative appointments.
As required by University Policy, if the appointment can be renewed, the individual must undergo an appropriate review for renewal. The review will include a process to collect information anonymously on the individual’s record in the administrative position from all relevant parties and a process for announcing the outcome of that review.
The SVPAA Guideline – Appointments of Faculty to Administrative Positions contains information regarding the review and reappointment process for administrative positions.
For information on the 3-year (mid-term) and 5-year (reappointment) reviews for Academic Deans, please contact the Office for Faculty.
For information on the reappointment reviews for Associate/Assistant Deans, Department Chairs, and Program/Center Directors, please contact the relevant Dean’s Office.
At the conclusion of a reappointment review process, if the decision is to renew an administrative appointment, the appointing official will document the decision and will seek approval of the reappointment following the usual process outlined by University policy and procedures.
If the decision is not to renew, the appointing official will announce that the position will be open and will begin the search procedures for appointment of an administrator as soon as practicable. In appropriate cases with the appropriate approvals, the appointing official may appoint an interim to serve until the search process is completed.
Administrator Leaves
University Administrators with faculty appointments may be eligible for Administrator Leave at the conclusion of their term of service.
Upon successful completion of three years of administrative service, faculty administrators will be eligible for one semester of paid administrator leave. After five years, faculty administrators will be eligible for two semesters of administrator leave. Under University Policy, an administrator who takes administrative leave is not eligible for a sabbatical until the individual has accumulated six years of service after the administrator leave.
See the SVPAA Guideline on Appointments of Faculty to Administrative Positions for additional details.
Information regarding administrative leave is outlined in the SVPAA Guideline - Appointments of Faculty to Administrative Positions and University Policy 5-202.