May 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Faculty Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Faculty Handbook

Appendix H - Department Chair Responsibilities



Department Chair Responsibilities

  1. The length of term for a department chair will be four years.

  2. A department chair may succeed himself/herself for one one-year term.

  3. Terms will be staggered to assure continuity.

  4. Departmental selection for a new department chair for the following academic year will take place during fall semester so that the future chair can shadow the current chair during spring semester.

Department Chairs - Current Chairs

2023-2024 Academic Year

Department

Elected

Service Ends

Communications - Jennifer Mazur

August 2023

August 2027

Humanities/Social Sciences - Christine Knierim

August 2022

August 2026

Mathematics - Kirby Brown

August 2021

August 2025

Science - Mark Taylor

August 2020

August 2024

Visual and Performing Arts - John Ash

August 2020

August 2024

Department Chair Schedule for Services

The length of term for a department chair will be four years.

Department

Election

Mentorship

Assumes Position

Communications

Fall 2022

Spring 2023

August 2023

Humanities/Social Sciences

Fall 2021

Spring 2022

August 2022

Mathematics

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

August 2025

Science

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

August 2024

Visual and Performing Arts

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

August 2024

Department Chair Criteria for Nomination

  1. Be on continuing contract status when department chair service begins.

  2. Has served as a faculty role model by participating in the five areas defined as the Role and Responsibility of Faculty (teaching, professional development, college service, service to students, and public service).

  3. Be willing to perform the responsibilities noted below.

  4. Be able to attend Liberal Arts and Sciences and Learning Response Team meetings (three to four meetings/semester).

  5. Be willing and able to shadow the current department chair for a semester before assuming the position.

Department Chair Selection

  1. All faculty are encouraged to serve as a department chair.

  2. The current department chair will seek a minimum of two nominations from the departmental faculty.

  3. Nominees will be interviewed by the current department chair and the appropriate instructional supervisor.

  4. Recommendations will be made to the vice president for Academic Affairs (VPAA).

  5. The VPAA will interview the recommended candidates and submit a recommendation with the president.

  6. Once approved, the VPAA will notify the selected faculty member and the current department chair.

Department Chair Reassigned Time

  1. Department chairs will receive six semester hours of reassigned time during each of the fall and spring semesters (i.e., a total of 12 credits per year).

  2. Department chairs should assume no more than one teaching overload without prior approval of the VPAA.

  3. Department chairs may be assigned to work during the summer term, on an as-needed basis, at their daily rate of pay (typically five days). This compensation will be recommended by the VPAA and approved by the president.

Department Chair College Responsibilities

  1. Possess knowledge of college policies, procedures and organizational charts.

  2. Implement college policies and procedures using best judgment on each matter.

  3. Advise instructional supervisor or VPAA on matters of major importance concerning the college.

  4. Advise instructional supervisor of the need for specific equipment purchases and or capital expenditures.

  5. Budget: Ensure proper accountability for money, supplies, and equipment allocated to the department.

Department Chair Signature Responsibilities

  1. Payroll certifiers

  2. Leave requests

  3. Notify Human Resources after three consecutive days missed (FMLA).

  4. Door schedule review and approval prior to sending to the instructional supervisor

  5. Budget: Annual departmental budget request

  6. Budget: Approval for departmental expenditures of operating expenses.

Department Chair Administrative Responsibilities

  1. Inform appropriate instructional supervisor of faculty and staff needs

  2. Submit paperwork for vacant positions to appropriate instructional supervisor

  3. Review adjunct transcripts and applications (online)

  4. Interview adjunct candidates and hire on a semester-by-semester basis

  5. Orient new faculty and staff or designate faculty mentor(s) to work with new faculty, including adjuncts

  6. Participate in academic committees/task forces as assigned

  7. Lead the development and implementation of Learning Outcomes assessment tools

  8. Participate and facilitate faculty participation in student retention/completion efforts

  9. Facilitate the completion of departmental program reviews (three-year cycle) and monitor progress on established short -and long -term departmental goals.

Department Chair and Faculty/Staff

  1. Supervise the instructional program of the department including:

    1. Preparation of course schedules, including classroom assignments, in conjunction with the campus dean of instruction and the provost for courses scheduled on the Citrus Campus and Levy Campus.

    2. Assignment of faculty workloads

    3. Review of finalized schedule prior to student registration.

  2. Assign workload and supervise student and staff assistants (and coordinators, if applicable).

  3. Ensure adjunct faculty observations are completed and evaluate staff performance and encourage appropriate professional development.

  4. Review new faculty members’ syllabi for at least one of their courses.

  5. Review full-time faculty performance when appropriate and encourage professional development.

  6. Work with the appropriate instructional supervisor to complete evaluative checklists for faculty seeking continuing contract or promotion.

  7. Assist in the resolution of faculty/staff issues.

  8. Communicate with and lead the faculty on all campuses regarding:

    1. Curriculum and professional development initiatives

    2. Goals of the college and department

    3. Proposed changes in department curriculum

    4. Periodic review of department curriculum and teaching resources and textbooks.

Department Chair Student/Community Relations

  1. Assist in the resolution of faculty/staff and student interpersonal and instruction-related issues.

  2. Advise or counsel students as needed.

  3. Represent the department in matters of community relations as appropriate.

  4. Assist the instructional supervisor in the grade appeal process and with academic integrity issues.

Department Chair Participation in Meetings or Planning

  1. Chair the departmental meeting (at least one per month, fall and spring semesters). Include faculty on all campuses.

  2. Attend division meetings (at least one per semester).

  3. Attend Learning Response Team Meetings (at least one per semester).

  4. Attend Arts and Sciences Academic Leadership Team Meetings (as needed).

  5. Participate in Professional Development Days.