Actual and ideal functions of the college dean as perceived by deans and faculty members at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Scope of Study: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the actual and ideal functions of college deans as perceived by deans and faculty members at King Faisal University. More specifically, the study attempted to answer questions related to various functions performed by college deans. The study population included all deans and faculty members of the five colleges within the university . The five deans and a random sample of 147 faculty members returned completed questionnaires which were used to provide data forth is study. Independent sample t-tests were used to test the significance of differences, if any, between deans and faculty members, and between actual and ideal functions as perceived by each group.

Findings and Conclusions: Based upon the findings of this study, the following general conclusions were made: (1) among college deans as a group there were no significant differences between their perceptions of actual functions of the dean when compared with ideal functions; (2) among faculty members as a group there were significant differences between their perceptions of actual and ideal functions of the dean; (3) deans as a group and faculty members as a group we re significantly different regarding actual and ideal functions of the dean; (4) the area of academic affairs was perceived actually and ideally by deans and faculty members as a primary area of emphasis for the dean ; (5) the area of administrative affairs was perceived by deans and faculty members as a second actual major area of emphasis for the dean; (6) deans as a group preferred to be ideally involved with both faculty and administrative affairs, while faculty members as a group preferred the dean to be involved in faculty affairs with less emphasis on administrative affairs; (7) deans and faculty members believed the deans also should be actually and ideally functioning in the area of community affairs; and (8) generally speaking, results of American studies in this area were not in agreement with the findings from the present study . It was recommended by deans and faculty members at King Faisal University that job descriptions for college deans should clearly define functions, responsibilities, and authority; and should state performance expectations compatible with the philosophy and goals of the university.