Selection and Appointment of Departments Chairpersons/Program Directors

1. DEFINITION OF CHAIRPERSON

   The chief executive officer of a department or a program who reports to an academic dean or an appropriate administrative officer will be designated a chairperson or director. Appointments as chairpersons are separated from the academic appointment the individual holds; alteration in an administrative contract does not affect the academic contract held by that person.

2. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSONS
   1. The chairperson or director is appointed by the President, after consultation with the Provost and the dean of the college.
   2. Announcement of the appointment will be made first at a meeting of the department, at which the dean will be present, and then to the University community and the news media.
   3. The appointment of a chairperson may be terminated either by resignation or by action of the President.
3. SPECIFIC DUTIES OF CHAIRPERSONS

   These duties do not mark all evaluative criteria, but are intended chiefly to represent the typical obligations of every chairperson. Although some of the duties listed below may be assigned to other faculty members or to faculty committees, the chairperson is still the responsible agent. The duties of the department chairperson will include but not be limited to:

   1. Faculty and Personnel Development
      1. Chairpersons are responsible for the recruitment, development, retention, and advancement of department faculty excellent in the three major areas of teaching, research/creative/ professional activity, and service.
      2. Chairpersons are responsible for the proper administration of faculty workloads as based on individual abilities of faculty members and department, college, and University needs. Periodic appraisal and planning of workloads and faculty development are required at least annually and must involve personal interviews with all faculty members in the department.
      3. Chairpersons are responsible for the administration of the approved procedures of peer review in the department as well as the policies and procedures of promotion and tenure reviews. Furthermore, chairpersons are responsible for seeing that these policies and procedures are properly publicized within the department and, whenever necessary, updated to conform with changes in college of University policy.
      4. Chairpersons provide advice and guidance for members of their department in all areas of their development as professional faculty. As far as possible, senior members of the department may assist the chair in this important task.
      5. Proper administration of these responsibilities eventuates in recommendations to the dean for:
         1. new appointments
         2. reappointments
         3. salary changes
         4. promotions
         5. tenure
         6. sabbatical and other leaves of absence
         7. nonrenewals and terminations
   2. Program Development and Departmental Planning
      1. Chairpersons are responsible for the planning and initiation of changes in the curricula (including Continuing Education and Summer/Winter curricula) of their department.
      2. Chairpersons oversee research programs carried out under departmental auspices or involving department resources, and are responsible for encouraging an appropriate and balanced program of research among the department faculty involving both graduate and undergraduate students, as well as postdoctoral students, wherever possible.
      3. Chairpersons prepare budget requests, allocate funds, and supervise departmental expenditures.
      4. Chairpersons work with the Director of University Libraries to enrich the collection, giving due attention to planned research and future growth of the department.
      5. Chairpersons cooperate with the department and the administration in planning physical facilities appropriate to the functions of the department.
      6. Chairpersons cooperate with the department and the administration in planning enrichment programs, such as lecture series and colloquia, for majors and other interested students, faculty, and members of the community.
   3. Periodic Statement and Critique of Departmental Goals

      To provide a continuing basis for development and evaluation of a department, each chairperson (by means of consultation with the appropriate committees within the department, or the department meeting as a committee of the whole) will prepare, at least every five years, a critique concerning problems, long-range plans, and objectives. This critique and statement of goals should also include consideration of the adequacy of physical facilities, sufficiency of monetary support, and appropriateness of departmental organization and communication. The critique, sponsored by the department, will be agreed on by the dean, and copies will be submitted to the Provost, the President, and all members of the department.

   4. Organization and Communication
      1. The chairperson organizes the department and holds regular department meetings as seem most appropriate within the organization of the department, and as agreed on by the chairperson and the faculty.
      2. The chairperson appoints and oversees the responsibilities of any subordinate department administrator, such as assistant chairperson, chairpersons of standing committees, and administrative assistants, all of whom report directly to him or her on a regular basis.
      3. The chairperson communicates with the department for the administration.
      4. The chairperson communicates with the administration for the department.
      5. The chairperson represents the department before committees, councils, and other bodies.
      6. The chairperson orients new faculty members in departmental policies and procedures.
      7. The chairperson is responsible for implementing affirmative action and providing equal employment and educational opportunity at the departmental level.
      8. The chairperson recommends the appointment of and oversees the work of nonacademic departmental staff.
      9. The chairperson supervises the use and assignment of allocated departmental space (excluding general classrooms), facilities, equipment, and supplies, and maintains an inventory of the latter two.
      10. The chairperson will contribute to the formulation and execution of college and University policies and regulations.
      11. The chairperson is responsible for revision of copy for the catalogs and other bulletins.
   5. Administration of Student Development
      1. The chairperson coordinates and makes recommendations concerning the advising of majors and the admission and advising of graduate students in the department or in special programs under department control and supervision.
      2. The chairperson provides recommendations for student aid at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
      3. The chairperson encourages student participation and involvement in departmental affairs.
      4. The chairperson insures that a balanced and appropriate offering of courses at all levels is made each term and will work closely with faculty and with other administrators toward optimum enrollments.
   6. Personal Responsibilities

      The chairperson will make exemplary efforts in teaching, professional development, and service. Each chairperson normally has some teaching duties each term and is expected to pursue research and scholarly interest in his or her discipline.