ARTICLE XVIII
DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSONS

A.  Department Chairpersons shall be elected by the members of the department and appointed by the President and shall serve for a term of three (3) academic years.  Prior to the initiation of this process, the President or his/her designee shall meet with a committee of the department to address concerns, if any, regarding the departmental procedures, and to consult concerning the criteria for selection. In the event individuals from outside the department are to be nominated, the Faculty Committee and all voting members of the department shall be provided with comprehensive, relevant information regarding those candidates’ qualifications.

B.  In the event that the President rejects an elected individual, the President or his/her designee must deliver his/her reasons, either formally in writing or informally in person, to the department at a meeting called for that purpose no later than thirty (30) days after date of the election.  The department will then hold another election as soon as practicable.

C.  The Faculty Committee referred to above shall consist of five (5) members of the involved department elected by the membership of the department, unless the involved department consists of five (5) or fewer members, in which case the Faculty Committee shall consist of all the members of the involved department.

D.  Those department chairpersons serving as of the date of the execution of this Agreement shall complete their term.  Terms of office begin on July l.  Elections occur in the spring of the preceding academic year and shall normally be completed by April 30.

E.  The College/University shall provide the Department Chairperson and faculty within the department a copy of the job description of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson position.  The local UNION shall be provided with a copy of the Chairperson’s duties and responsibilities.

F.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the right of a President to appoint an acting department chairperson pending the completion of the procedures set forth.

G. This Article does not apply to Thomas A. Edison State College, Stockton State College, or part-time employees.