Department Chairs
[Faculty Handbook Category #2]
A. Department chairs are normally appointed for a three-year term by the President in consultation with the Dean of the College, who will have consulted with the Associate Dean of the relevant Faculty and members of the department involved.
B. Department chairs have primary responsibility for the proper functioning of the individual department of instruction. They shall attend meetings called by the Dean of the College and inform faculty members in the department about the topics discussed at those meetings. Department chairs shall consult with the Associate Dean of their Faculty for review and advice on department matters requiring administrative or faculty approval. All recommendations of the chair with regard to matters such as personnel, curriculum, or facilities shall be made to the appropriate Associate Dean, who will assist in determining which recommendations should be referred to the Dean of the College or a faculty committee before referral to the President or a faculty committee for final approval where this is required.
C. Specific Responsibilities
1. Departmental management:
- Manage department budgets, website, and teaching schedules.
- Prepare catalog copy and annual reports about the department.
- Guide the development of the department, including regular assessment activities and program reviews.
- Work with department faculty and collaborate with other departments and programs in developing appropriate requests for facilities, equipment, supplies, and the administrative support required for effective teaching.
- Where applicable, prepare annual reports about uses of endowed funds and gifts.
- Where applicable, supervise academic support staff.
2. Work with students and alumni:
- Coordinate efforts within the department concerning current and prospective students, such as monitoring enrollments, advising potential majors and/or concentrators, and checking degree audits.
- Certify majors and/or concentrators.
- Coordinate departmental efforts with Admissions and Alumni and Parent Relations.
3. Work with faculty:
- Recruit and recommend the appointment of faculty members for the department, giving proper attention in their selection to demonstrated or potential teaching abilities.
- Consult and collaborate with other departments and programs, as appropriate, to fill staffing needs.
- Evaluate teaching competence and other contributions of faculty in the department and collaborate with other departments and programs, as appropriate, in making recommendations for reappointment, renewal, or tenure and promotion.
- Facilitate professional development opportunities for faculty teaching in the department and encourage scholarly and artistic work as a necessary source of enrichment for good teaching.
Updates approved by the faculty on February 8, 2018