1. Departmental Transition to a New Chair
The Dean appoints new department chairs in consultation with the President and with the advice of the department. Outgoing Chairs are asked to help new Chairs to understand their new administrative role. Discussions about the main elements of the job, any suggestions for organization or management that the outgoing Chair may have, and the filing system will be especially helpful to new chairs and smooth the transition to the new administration of the department. Current chairs should discuss their desire to leave the chair’s position with the Dean during the fall semester, one year before vacating the position.
2. Assistant Chairs
Some departments, with more than six full-time, tenure-track faculty, have Assistant or Associate Chair(s) who report to the Chair and who are also eligible for a release block from teaching in order to carry out administrative duties. Chairs and Assistant Chairs divide administrative responsibilities in any number of ways: some Assistant Chairs take charge of constructing the course schedule for the following year, some work closely with visitors, some handle the budget. A reasonably clear allocation of responsibilities is most important.
3. Other Department Staff
Some departments have various categories of support staff, such as administrative assistants, technicians, and paraprofessionals. All of these personnel report to the Chair. A clear assignment of responsibilities to each staff member is important.
4. Department Meetings
Most departments and interdisciplinary programs meet once a block to discuss
departmental matters. For example, a department meeting in the fall may be devoted to
constructing the academic schedule for the following year, while a department meeting in
the spring may be devoted to determining awards and honors for graduating majors.
Departments also meet to discuss job announcements, applicant files, tenure candidates’
files, the curricular direction of the department, and so on. Chairs should share with
department members the monthly department budget statements, so that all department
members understand what resources are available and how departmental monies are being
spent. Most departments hold at least one meeting per year with their majors.
5. Standing Committees, Task Forces, and Further Delegation
Some departments have internal standing committees that accomplish routine tasks
within the department. For example, the English department has standing committees for the
poetry contest, the senior majors program, the visitors program, and the novella contest.
Chairs may delegate to individuals or task forces other department business, such as
revision of requirements for a major or minor.
6. The Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance program is a professional counseling service that is
available to all College employees free of charge. All Colorado College employees and their immediate families are eligible for five (5) counseling sessions per problem per year. Should a Chair want help in handling a crisis, a counselor can be reached 24 hours a day at (719) 634-1825. Office appointments can be made 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday at the same number. EAP may be useful to faculty or staff dealing with personal or work-related problems. EAP may assist faculty or staff dealing with, for example, marital and family problems, anxiety and depression, chemical dependency and co-dependency, grief and loss, job stress and co-worker conflict.
| 
