What are the roles and responsibilities of a department chair?

1. UMKC Chairs/Program Directors WorkshopRoles and ResponsibilitiesCindy Pemberton, Ph.D.Deputy ProvostAugust 7, 2013

2. What are the roles and responsibilities of a department chair? 10 minutes – Discuss and report out to the group

3. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Chief executive and academic officer of the department • Responsible for the effective and efficient administration of the department within the CCR of the University, rules of the campus, school/college and department • Responsible for providing leadership toward the achievement of excellence in teaching, research, extension and service activities of the department • Responsible for conducting the fiscal, academic, and personnel affairs of his department

4. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Develop, improve, and execute departmental policies and procedures • Responsibilities continuous throughout the year • Planning and management functions • Financial obligations associated with the responsibilities of the office

5. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Fiscal – • Prep dept budget requests • Supervise expenditure of funds allocated • Assign space, facilities, equip and supplies

6. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Staff – • Recruit, recomm for appoint./reappoint/T&P, salary changes, orient & evaluate fac, res asst/assoc, TA’s, & other staff • Promote the scholarly growth of department

7. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Teaching – • Review and propose improvements in dept curricula and courses • Plan for future year-round needs and dev of dept • Provide supervision for Cont Ed classes – approval of courses & instructors

8. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Teaching – • Organize & assign teaching schedules for max effectiveness and efficiency • Improve the quality of teaching of perm. staff and TA’s

9. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Students – • Develop and supervise academic advising • Review applicants for admission to grad studies in dept • Transmit grades of all students to Registrar

10. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair • Miscellaneous – • Work on improvement of books for teaching and research • Maintain acceptable public service • Answer general inquiries from students, staff and gen public • Respond to directives, requests and questionnaires generated by comm. , student groups, administrators, public org. and professional societies

11. General Responsibilities(Gmelch & Miskin,2004) Faculty Development Manager Leader Scholar

12. General Responsibilities(Leaming, 1998) • Orchestrating Change and Planning for the Future • Obtaining and Allocating Funds • Caring for the Curriculum • Supporting Research and Development Activities • Working with Students • Mentoring Faculty and Serving as a Role Model • Making the Department a Pleasant Workplace

13. Why faculty become department chairs? (Gmelch & Miskin, 1993) • For personal development (interesting, challenge, new opportunities) • Drafted by dean or colleagues • Out of necessity (lack of alternative candidates) • To be more in control of my environment • Out of a sense of duty, it was my turn • For financial gain • An opportunity to relocate at a new institution

14. Training needs for department chairs(Gmelch, Burns, et al., 1992) • Evaluate faculty performance • Reduce conflict among faculty • Obtain and manage external funds • Prepare and propose budgets • Develop and initiate long-range dept goals • Manage dept resources • Encourage prof dev activities of faculty

15. Training needs for department chairs –cont.(Gmelch, Burns, et al., 1992) • Manage nonacademic staff • Plan and evaluate curriculum development • Provide informal faculty leadership • Ensure maintenance of accurate dept records • Recruit and select faculty

16. Top 12 Tasks for Department Chairs (Gmelch, Burns, et al., 1992) 1. Recruit and select faculty 2. Represent department to administration and the field 3. Evaluate faculty performance 4. Encourage faculty research and publication 5. Reduce conflict among faculty 6. Manage department resources

17. Top 12 Tasks for Department Chairs - cont. 7. Encourage professional development of faculty 8. Develop and initiate long-range department goals 9. Remain current within academic discipline 10. Provide informal faculty leadership 11. Prepare and propose budgets 12. Solicit ideas to improve the department

18. Qualities that help provide department leadership (Leaming, 1998) • Not Coveting the Job • Having a Sense of Humor • Having a Vision • Staying Focused • Delegating Responsibility • Knowing Yourself • Not Being Fearful of Mistakes • Being Self-Confident • Being Decisive • Accepting Blame for Failure and Sharing Credit for Success

19. Qualities that help provide department leadership – cont. • Embracing Change • Being Sensitive and Caring • Possessing Strong Communication Skills • Providing Ideas and Being Flexible • Having a Good Work Ethic • Being Honest and Fair • Knowing When to Spend Your Political Capital

20. Seven Habits of Successful Chairpersons(Leaming, 1998) Successful chairpersons - • Have goals • Get to know their colleagues and fellow administrators • Are agents of change • Understand and appreciate teaching, research, and public service • Are honest, forthright, decent people • Are fair and evenhanded • Are consensus builders and good communicators

21. Most Significant Dept. Chair Challenges(Gmelch, Carroll, et al., 1998) ResourcesIssues Strategic Issues Faculty Issues

22. The Balancing Act Caught in the “middle” – faculty & administration – “2 hats to wear” Without leadership training Without administrative experience Without understanding role conflict and ambiguity Without an awareness of the cost to scholarship

23. Trade offs – TIME(Gmelch, 2004) Time is inelastic Time is irreplaceable Everything requires time Every chair has the same amount of time Everyone wants part of your time Most chairs are ill equipped to manage time effectively

24. Manage your relationships With colleagues and faculty Establish networks with stakeholders With the dean

25. Discussion & Questions?