UMKC Chairs/Program Directors Workshop
Roles and Responsibilities
Cindy Pemberton, Ph.D.
Deputy Provost
August 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 requests
Supervise expenditure of funds allocated
Assign 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
courses
Plan for future year-round needs and dev of dept
Provide 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 efficiency
Improve 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 advising
Review applicants for admission to grad studies in dept
Transmit 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 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
General Responsibilities
(Gmelch & Miskin,2004)
Faculty Development
Manager
Leader
Scholar
General Responsibilities
(Leaming, 1998)
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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)
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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)
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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 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
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
Qualities that help provide department
leadership (Leaming, 1998)
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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.
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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 training
Without administrative experience
Without understanding role conflict and ambiguity
Without an awareness of the cost to scholarship
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
Manage your relationships
With colleagues and faculty
Establish networks with stakeholders
With the dean
 Discussion & Questions?