From UF Constitution

Who are the faculty?

FACULTY DEFINED. The faculty of the University of Florida are those persons employed by the University of Florida during the regular academic year whose primary assignment is to carry out the academic mission of the University, namely, teaching, research and academic service. Titles of these persons shall be set forth in the Senate Bylaws. Questions about the faculty status of an individual shall be resolved by a committee charged with evaluating academic qualifications in the college in which the individual is appointed. The committee shall determine status based on whether the primary assignment is the carrying out of the academic mission of the University.

What is a college dean?

The chief executive and administrative officer of the Graduate School, and of each college shall be a dean, who may at the same time be a professor in one of the departments of the college. The dean shall be appointed by the President. In making this appointment, the President shall give consideration to the opinion of the faculty of the college concerned by consultation with a special committee of at least three faculty members elected by the faculty of the college. The dean shall be responsible to the President for the administration of the college and shall be the agent of the faculty for the execution of educational policy.

What is a department?

THE DEPARTMENTS-The department shall be the fundamental unit of academic and administrative organization within the University. Departments shall be either professional functions departments or teaching and research departments.
For purposes of organization and budget, each teaching and research department shall be assigned to one and only one college. The formation of a department, its consolidation with other departments, its transfer from one college to another, or any other move which changes the original character of the department shall require the approval of the Faculty Senate.

What is a department chair?

The program of a teaching and research department shall be conducted by the departmental faculty through a chairperson, who shall have general responsibility for the activities of the department.

How are chairs selected?

The Chairperson shall be nominated by the dean of the college after formal consultation with a committee of the department selected by its tenured members and after consultation with others in related fields outside the department. The nominations shall be forwarded to the President for approval. In those instances where the nominee of the dean of the college is not concurred in by the departmental committee, that committee’s dissenting report should be forwarded to the President along with the nomination made by the dean.

How are departments evaluated?

Because the department is the fundamental unit of academic and administrative organization within the University, periodic evaluations of each department shall be conducted.

Can a tenured faculty member be terminated?

Termination of Faculty Appointments for Cause by Preferment of Charges.
1. Justifiable cause for termination of appointment is defined as incompetence or misconduct, which shall include, but not be limited to the following:
a. Neglect of duty and responsibilities which impairs teaching, research, or other normal and expected services to the institution;
b. Failure without justifiable cause to perform the terms of employment, or willful violation of the rules and regulations of the University of Florida;
c. Failure to discharge assigned duties effectively because of incompetence;
d. Conduct, professional or personal involving moral turpitude;
e. Violation of the ethics of the academic profession;
f. Actions which impair, interfere with, or obstruct, or aid, abet, or incite the impairment, interference with, or obstruction of, the orderly conduct, processes and functions of a state university.

Where do the legislative powers of the university reside?

FUNCTIONS-The Faculty Senate shall be the legislative body of the University thereby providing a forum for mutual exchange of ideas between senior officers and faculty. In this capacity, the Senate shall take cognizance of, and may legislate with respect to matters which concern more than one college, school, or other major academic unit, or which are otherwise of general university interest. In exercising its legislative function, the Senate shall make such rules, regulations, and Bylaws as it may deem advisable for the fulfillment of its duties.

Where do executive powers of the university reside?

THE PRESIDENT-The President shall be the chief executive officer of the University, and shall exercise general supervision over all its activities. The President shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees. Upon the resignation, retirement, or death of the President, the Senate Steering Committee shall be available to the Board of Trustees for the purpose of consulting in the selection of a nominee for President. The President shall have a veto power over all actions of committees, college faculties and the councils of the Faculty Senate, which power shall be exercised by sending a written executive order to the body concerned. In all matters not otherwise provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws, the President shall, under the Board of Trustees, have plenary power.