The Office of the Dean of the Faculties exists to serve faculty members in providing information about academic policies, which include but are not limited to faculty development and sabbaticals, faculty appointments and procedures, outside employment, dual compensation, promotion, tenure, faculty assignments, faculty evaluations and political activities. All faculty appointments are processed through the Office of the Dean of the Faculties.
The Dean of the Faculties is responsible for the administration of personnel activities related to the University Faculty and facilitates the operation of the Faculty Governance System at Florida State University. The Dean of the Faculties serves as Deputy Provost and carries out the responsibilities of the Provost as Vice President for Academic Affairs in the absence of the Provost. Under the Florida State University Constitution, the Dean of the Faculties is third in order of succession in the administration of the University and is in charge of the University in the absence of the President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean of the Faculties is a member of the University Executive Council, the University Budget Advisory Committee, and the University Council.
The Dean of the Faculties meets with and advises faculty members concerning interpretation of University and State rules or who have informal complaints and provides confidential advice to faculty members upon request; advises deans and department chairmen concerning University and Board of Regents rules, precedents, and procedures; with the advice of the Faculty Senate Steering Committee, provides official interpretations of the Florida State University Constitution; and gives official rulings on questions of academic protocol and procedural matters relating to academic convocations and related formal functions of the University. The Dean of the Faculties meets with students who have questions (and complaints) about University policies as carried out or not carried out by faculty members and deans; receives appeals of students concerning application of University policies by departments and schools and colleges; and by delegation, exercises the Agency-Head authority of the President to make emergency exceptions to University Rules in the Academic Affairs area.