Department Chair Meetings - Fall 2017
i. DRAFT of the new SEAL (now referred to as the PASS) which describes the three smaller reports that replace the Annual Report and Program review.
ii. A rubric used to evaluate Assessment data (for the Program Assessment Report and the General Education Assessment Report)
iii. A summary and timeline of those reports that replace the Annual Report.
iv. This is a link of an example webpage that would be a place for storing and providing access to assessment and action plan information for each program: http://www.csbsju.edu/academic-affairs/esss-student-learning-outcomes
Your input will be helpful. We can devote some time at the meeting to discuss your initial thoughts on the changes. In addition (because this is on short notice), please feel free to provide input electronically to APSAC, AAE, or AA.
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Nominations for Professor Emerita/Emeritus and Alumna/Alumnus - due by January 23, 2018
The chair’s letter to nominate is similar to a letter for a colleague nominated for the teaching award or promotion to full. Academic Affairs will also review our colleagues’ c.v., and therefore chairs do not need to summarize everything, but highlight those characteristics and contributions that lead to the nomination for the honorary title. Often the chair’s letter provides key information and phrasing used in the commendation read at the May faculty appreciation day.
From the September 2015 Faculty Handbook:
2.1.6.1 Professor Emerita/us
This rank may be assigned to associate professors or professors who have limited or terminated their responsibilities as a faculty member for valid reasons (e.g., retirement, illness) after 15 or more years of distinguished and meritorious service to the college [university].
The title professor emerita/us is an honorary one and does not affect salary or fringe benefits that might be involved in any part-time, per-course contract between the individual and the college [university]. Appointees will have their names recorded at this rank in the catalog during the remainder of their lifetimes.
2.1.6.2 Professor Alumna/us
The honorary title of professor alumna/us may be assigned to a faculty member with 15 or more years of service at the college who is not given the title professor emerita/us and who voluntarily leaves employment with the college. Appointees will have their names recorded at this rank in the catalog during the remainder of their lifetimes.
Suggestions for Departmental Assessment Budget Lines:
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ADVICE FOR NEW CHAIRS FROM DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATORS
ASK FOR HELP FROM YOUR COORDINATOR!
Talk to your coordinator early and often to discuss the tasks necessary to the success of your area. Ask them how they prefer to work (meetings by appointment, email, phone, etc.). How much lead time is ideal for larger tasks? Are there tasks they actually prefer to do on their own, which you can then delegate to them? Schedule collaborative work time for projects that you need to do together.
CONSULT THE CHAIRS’ HANDBOOK, WEBPAGE, & REGISTRAR’S CALENDAR
The Chairs’ Handbook (see above) gathers together key passages from the Faculty Handbook and incorporates other timelines and advice. It may be helpful to make a timeline with your coordinator to add to the dates given by the Registrar; transcribe big dates to your calendar (FDRC letter due dates, R&T letter dates, reminders to observe faculty, annual events in your department, midterm grade due-dates, etc.).
KEEP THE COORDINATOR IN THE LOOP
CC. the coordinator on important emails, and/or have brief “check-in” meetings by phone or in person weekly or as needed. Review the job description of your coordinator so you know what is expected of him or her. This will also help you know which information/deadlines/emails need to be shared. Some things will come directly to you, and only to you, so check the “cc.” and forward, if necessary.
STRESS CAN MAKE DELEGATION HARDER
Watch your own stress level, not as something to be afraid of (What have I let myself in for?!), but as information – stress should invite a review of tasks at hand and delegation to coordinator, other faculty, or another office (maybe even the dean’s!). Work ahead of deadlines so you can get the help you need without creating panic for your coordinator/colleagues.
A FINAL NOTE FROM THE ACADEMIC DEAN:
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXPERIENCED CHAIRS/DIRECTORS
Consider asking a former chair, even from another department, to serve as an unofficial, confidential sounding board. Or form a “chair’s advisory council” within your department to serve as a consultative or representative group. Some matters will not require full departmental discussion, but an advisory group can help ensure that you’ve looked at an issue from multiple perspectives. If you have any questions about which tasks can be delegated, and which must be done by you as official chair / program director, get in touch with the dean’s office.