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The Chairperson is a full-time faculty member and is the administrative officer of the Department and, thus, is directly accountable to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  The Chairperson is charged with bringing the vision of the department and its faculty forward, through support of effective implementation of policy and programming.  The Chairperson is responsible for assuring the recording, maintaining and implementing the department’s aims and objectives and the policies and procedures contained in the department Handbook.  He or she is also responsible for insuring that such policies, objectives and procedures are in conformity with the University Policy Register and the Collective Bargaining Agreements.  The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC), and as such shall be charged with the responsibility and authority to represent the Department in Collegial and University matters.  The Chairperson is also expected to be cognizant of and receptive to the advice of the available Department faculty before making decisions and/or recommendations to a higher academic officer.

In addition to the , the duties and responsibilities of the Chair include:

1. Teaches three semester credit hours per academic year.  The Chair may supervise the African American Affairs Practicum and/or coordinates all Individual Investigation faculty assignments;
2. Works closely with the Directors of the Institute for African American Affairs, the Center of Pan-African Culture, Communication Skills and Arts to assure a full scope of holistic academic and cultural programming. 
3. Enforces University regulations;
4. Encourages and supports faculty in pursuing their pedagogical goals;
5. With appropriate consultation, develops and carries out administrative and educational policies in the Department;
6. Recommends new staff appointments to the Dean and recommends the promotion and/or tenure of members of the Department who are eligible and qualified;
7. Recommends, with documentation, the severance of individuals deemed not worthy of permanent appointment;
8. Hires and directs the non-academic staff of the Department;
9. Recommends leaves of absence;
10. Supplies prompt notification to the offices of the Dean of faculty absenteeism or faculty and staff resignations;
11. Recommends course changes proposed by DPAS/FAC’s curriculum committee or through the appropriate Dean;
12. Distributes teaching assignments, schedules class hours and rooms, and prepares and submits reports to appropriate University officials;
13. Maintains custody of University property charged to the Department;
14. Maintains effective work relationships with PAS faculty assigned to any of the Regional Campuses;

On an annual basis, during spring semester, the FAC will recommend to the Department Chairperson a full-time tenured faculty member who will serve as Assistant Chairperson for 9.  This person teaches no fewer than 18 credit hours per academic year unless under dire and/or extenuating circumstances.  His or her duties include, but may not be limited to, the coordination, development and maintenance of records of majors; advising scheduling; and course modifications and substitutions recommended by the Curriculum Committee.  This individual assists the Chair in implementing and monitoring the minor programs, coordination of the undergraduate program overall, and the DPAS presence at all campuses of Kent State.  This person assists in reviewing requests from faculty, and monitoring output and productivity of the various centers and institutes in the Department.  The Assistant Chair will support the Chairperson in the collection of data for required reports and proposals for grants.  With the Dean's approval, in the Chairperson’s absence, the Assistant Chairperson becomes the Acting Chairperson.

The IAAA Director is a 9-month faculty position that includes teaching responsibilities. This position can be held by either a TT or NTT Faculty member. The IAAA Director works with the Chair, faculty and students to maintain the necessary research infrastructure to advance the research mission of the Department. The Director serves as a liaison with other educational bodies both at Kent State and beyond, and may oversee publication of The African American Monograph Series and KITABU, the IAAA newsletter.  The Director oversees management of the Henry Dumas Memorial Library, which houses materials related to the Pan-African experience and coordinates the Biennial Africa and the Global Atlantic World Conference.  S/he is expected to manage the IAAA budget, report at regular unit meetings, and submit annual reports. The Director receives up to 9 credit hours teaching release per academic year unless there are dire and/or extenuating circumstances or  with permission from the Dean. 

The CPAC Director is a 9-month faculty position that includes teaching responsibilities and management of the Center’s facilities. This position can be held by either a TT or NTT Faculty member. The Director is responsible for planning, coordinating and directing activities, which provide students and the Pan-African community at large with opportunities to develop projects, performances and exhibits promoting cultural and arts awareness.  The Director identifies artists and other public figures to be invited to Departmental events , guest lectures, the annual Pan-African Festival.   He or she also negotiates fees for such artists and public figures, handles all arrangements for their appearance on campus, provides promotional materials and publishes a calendar of events.  The Director works in cooperation with the Curator of the Gallery for exhibitions and with the IAAA Director for the scheduling of speakers on scholarly topics. The Director acts as a resource to address student success; interfaces and partners with various units including the University College, the Center for Student Involvement and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives that are focused on student success and retention. The Director serves as advisor to the CPAC Student Advisory Council, collaborates with Black United Students (BUS) and other student organizations to support the intellectual, cultural and social efforts of students

The Department may provide the Director with a graduate assistant. S/he is expected to manage the CPAC budget, report at regular Unit meetings, and to submit annual reports. The Director receives up to 12 credit hours teaching release per academic year unless there are dire and/or extenuating circumstances or with permission from the Dean. 

This position can be held by either a TT or NTT Faculty member. In conjunction with the CPAC Director, the Curator is responsible for the management of the Gallery, its exhibits and its permanent collections. He or she is responsible for a minimum of four exhibits per academic year or the equivalent. The Curator selects the artists and assists with internal and/or external funding opportunities for exhibition costs and coordinates with other units with regards to publicity and a calendar for exhibits. S/he is expected to manage the gallery budget, report at regular unit meetings, and submit annual reports. The curator receives up to 6 credit hours teaching release per academic year unless there are dire and/or extenuating circumstances or with permission from the Dean.

This is a 9-month faculty position within the Department of Pan-African Studies which may be held by either a TT or an NTT faculty member. The Director should have a thorough understanding of linguistic and grammatical principles, as he/she oversees programs related to communication skills and arts. A permanent member of the English Department Writing Program Committee, the Director will have a joint appointment in Pan-African Studies and English. S/he is responsible for the selection and supervision of all faculty members who teach in the Department’s College Writing Program and those who work in the Department’s Help Center/Computer lab.  Working in consultation with the faculty, the Director advises DPAS/Writing Program faculty on the direction and content of the DPAS/College Writing classes. He/she may also oversee student publications, assist with the editing of Department materials as needed and oversees the DPAS scholarships for majors and minors as well as the Kim Todd-White Scholarship. The Director reports at regular Unit meetings and submits an annual report. The Director receives up to 12 credit hours teaching release per academic year unless there are dire and/or extenuating circumstances or with permission from the Dean.

This is a 9-month faculty position within the Department of Pan-African Studies which can be held by either a TT or an NTT Faculty member. The Director for the African Community is responsible for creating and developing the ACT theatre programming, including the training of students in theatre productions. S/he is also responsible for creating and/or the development of theatre workshops, community outreach, and events to develop new audiences, and for providing opportunities for creative outlets for the local and Kent State University communities. S/he will oversee the general management of the theatre, including schedules, and rehearsals. The Director is also expected to manage production budgets, report at regular Unit meetings, and to submit annual reports. The Director receives up to 12 credit hours teaching release per academic year unless there are dire and/or extenuating circumstances or with permission from the Dean.

In all instances, the needs of the Department and the decision of the Chair in consultation with the Dean will take precedence in the above course releases and are contingent on the ability of the department to meet teaching/staffing needs.