UMKC Chairs/Program Directors Workshop

Roles and Responsibilities

Cindy Pemberton, Ph.D.Deputy ProvostAugust 7, 2013

What are the roles and responsibilities of a department chair?

10 minutes – Discuss and report out to the group

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

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

UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair

Fiscal –Prep dept budget requestsSupervise expenditure of funds allocatedAssign space, facilities, equip and supplies

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

UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair

Teaching –Review and propose improvements in dept curricula and

coursesPlan for future year-round needs and dev of deptProvide supervision for Cont Ed classes – approval of

courses & instructors

UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair

Teaching –Organize & assign teaching schedules for max

effectiveness and efficiencyImprove the quality of teaching of perm. staff and TA’s

UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair

Students –Develop and supervise academic advisingReview applicants for admission to grad studies in deptTransmit grades of all students to Registrar

UM System Collected Rules and Regulations – 20.110 Department Chair

Miscellaneous –Work on improvement of books for teaching and researchMaintain acceptable public serviceAnswer general inquiries from students, staff and gen

publicRespond to directives, requests and questionnaires

generated by comm. , student groups, administrators, public org. and professional societies

General Responsibilities (Gmelch & Miskin,2004)

Faculty DevelopmentManagerLeaderScholar

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

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

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

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

Top 12 Tasks for Department Chairs (Gmelch, Burns, et al., 1992)

1. Recruit and select faculty2. Represent department to administration and the field3. Evaluate faculty performance4. Encourage faculty research and publication5. Reduce conflict among faculty6. Manage department resources

Top 12 Tasks for Department Chairs - cont.

7. Encourage professional development of faculty8. Develop and initiate long-range department goals9. Remain current within academic discipline10. Provide informal faculty leadership11. Prepare and propose budgets12. Solicit ideas to improve the department

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

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

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

Most Significant Dept. Chair Challenges(Gmelch, Carroll, et al., 1998)

Resources Issues

Strategic Issues

Faculty Issues

The Balancing Act

Caught in the “middle” – faculty & administration – “2 hats to wear”

Without leadership trainingWithout administrative experienceWithout understanding role conflict and ambiguityWithout an awareness of the cost to scholarship

Trade offs – TIME(Gmelch, 2004)

Time is inelasticTime is irreplaceableEverything requires timeEvery chair has the same amount of timeEveryone wants part of your timeMost chairs are ill equipped to manage time effectively

Manage your relationships

With colleagues and faculty

Establish networks with stakeholders

With the dean

Discussion & Questions?