Handbook - prior to January 2019

Undergraduate Dept. Chair/Graduate Program Director Responsibilities

The undergraduate academic dean in consultation with the provost and departmental faculty appoints undergraduate department chairs. The graduate dean in consultation with the provost and program faculty appoints graduate program directors. For the ongoing effectiveness of administration, department chairs and graduate program directors generally serve a multi-year term subject to periodic review. Exceptions would be a one-year or temporary appointment to fill a vacancy or to meet some other special need.  Responsibilities include the following:

Overall Management of the Department or Program

a)      Hold regular departmental meetings and ensure that minutes are recorded with distribution to dean, provost, president, and archives.

b)      Ensure a well-prepared and effective faculty in collaboration with the dean. Includes assisting in faculty recruitment and orientation, encouraging professional development, and conducting regular faculty evaluation.

c)       Maintain a vital and appropriate curriculum within budget.

d)      Be responsible for program quality, monitoring grading patterns and student outcomes.

e)      Be aware of student retention issues.

f)       Collaborate with admissions on enrollment.

g)      Enhance faculty morale by a spirit of encouragement and sensitivity.

h)      Maintain responsive and adequate academic advising services to students.

i)        Communicate departmental or program activities to students.

j)        Keep departmental or program members informed of administrative decisions.

k)      Organize teaching assignments in consultation with the dean.

l)        Participate in developing the departmental or program budget.

m)    Prepare annual institutional effectiveness report (AIER).

Ongoing Responsibilities

a)      Manage the departmental or program budget in collaboration with the dean.

b)      Handle student grievances within the department or program.

c)       Manage space and facility needs in consultation with the dean.

d)      Maintain equipment or other departmental properties.

e)      Oversee the acquisition of library and instructional resources for the department or program.  Refer to the Information Systems: Technology Resource Allocation Policy found in the appendices.

f)       Coordinate the requisitioning of supplies.

Representation of the Department or Program in Broader Institutional Contexts

a)      Convey departmental or program goals and objectives to the administration.

b)      Represent the department or program in long-range planning processes.

c)       Communicate departmental programs and activities to the marketing services and admissions offices.

d)      Serve on Undergraduate Council (undergraduate department chairs) or Graduate Council (graduate program directors) to represent the interests of the department and to participate in policy making for the undergraduate or graduate unit.

e)      Other duties as may be specific to the department (e.g. external relations, agency contracts, etc.)

The department chair or graduate program director may delegate responsibilities depending on the size of the program and relative workloads, etc.