Deans Raymond Tymas-Jones in the College of Fine Arts and James Heap in the College of Education underwent comprehensive 5-year dean evaluations. Both received above-average approval in external relations, but sub-par ratings for interpersonal communication.
Every college at Ohio University has faculty members evaluate the deans in areas including planning and management, personnel matters, external relations and unit goals. Tymas-Jones and Heap, both in their fifth years as deans, were comprehensively evaluated by faculty and outside constituents.
Although 41 percent of the responses said Tymas-Jones' interpersonal relations were below expectations, this was still an improvement from the 48 percent that were dissatisfied last year. The committee acknowledged that several new communication measures have been implemented within the college, although without much success.
Tymas-Jones tried establishing a faculty-advisory committee, but it fell through due to lack of interest.
Instead, Tymas-Jones said he meets with representatives from the six schools every quarter to talk and gain feedback. With his own money, Tymas-Jones hired a coach to help with communication. He has, and will continue to offer, an open door policy to faculty and students.
In addition to communication, a few respondents said the allocation of funds was unfair. Currently, the $30,000 set aside for talent-based scholarships is divided equally among four programs. Some responses ask that the money be divided according to college size, but Tymas-Jones said he would not implement such a policy.
"I do not agree with that approach because we need to compete with other schools and be able to provide funds for each department," he said.
External relations were ranked one of his best areas, as well as fiscal management and leadership effectiveness. But Tymas-Jones said he would like to see more responses.
"If the only people I hear from are two separate extreme ends, it's hard to take the process and glean the constructive criticism," he said.
Heap also tried to improve his communication and interpersonal skills. In the past two years Heap has tried to stay in contact with faculty, staff and students through various types of meetings.
Despite these efforts, 66 percent of the faculty respondents still find his interpersonal skills to be unsatisfactory or below expectations.
"It's really about a difference in expectations," Heap said. "Prior deans spent more time out in the halls, but I've felt an external focus was more pressing— because education college deans across the state are trying to improve accountability when training teachers.
Heap's evaluation was also given to faculty in groups II and IV, as well as staff and external constituents, including other deans around the state, OU administrators and state bureaucrats. Seventy percent of responses from the external constituents rated Heap outstanding or exceeding expectations in all areas. The additional faculty and staff groups agreed with the Group I faculty in areas such as a lacking interpersonal communication.
"My concern and my responsibility is to address teacher and counselor preparation as a state and national external issue because that is where the debates are and also where the resources are to be found," he said.
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Katie Primm
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James Heap, Raymond Tymas-Jones
