2007 Workshops for
Department and Division Chairs

Theme

Essential Tools for Leading the Academic Department

To assist independent colleges and universities in strengthening leadership at the department or division level, the Council of Independent Colleges is offering its sixth annual series of workshops for experienced, as well as new, department/division chairs. The workshops focus on the distinctive challenges of department leadership in small and mid-sized private colleges and universities.

“Essential Tools for Leading the Academic Department” is the theme of the workshops this year that provide chairs with a variety of instruments, strategies, and approaches for addressing key areas of responsibility. Few people are fully prepared when assuming a department or division chairmanship to work through situations of conflict, use data to analyze ways to improve the department, adhere to the best legal practices, understand current legal issues for campuses, and work effectively in the administrative structure of the institution. The programs will feature opportunities to try practical applications of the topics presented and materials to guide participants upon their return to campus. Workshop topics include:

Using Conflict for Improvement
Conflict—between individuals or groups within a department or between departments—often emerges. How may chairs work through the conflict and use it to pave the way for positive change in the department? Frameworks for understanding the sources of conflict and approaches to addressing the underlying issues will be explored. Chairs will have opportunities to practice dealing with conflict in simulation exercises.

Using Data for Program Review
To lead the academic department, chairs need to understand which data are necessary to make decisions and how to effectively interpret these data. Participants in the workshop will explore how data might be used in conducting departmental program reviews, as well as the implications of information such as number of students taught or advised by each department member, number of students taking departmental courses, number of majors, patterns of course enrollments, and benchmarking data against departments at “aspirational” institutions. Workshop participants will be asked to bring key data about their departments with them for use during the workshop.

Conducting Difficult Conversations
Department chairs can prevent many issues from mushrooming into major problems through early intervention. Sometimes chairs delay difficult conversations with colleagues because they lack expertise in tactfully encouraging change or in delivering bad news. Participants will explore how to have a frank conversation with a colleague or staff member who is not meeting departmental expectations.

Best Practices of Experienced Chairs
What are the strategies that more experienced chairs employ in advancing the work of the department or division? What lessons have they learned? Workshop participants will learn from veteran chairs as well as contribute their own tips for their colleagues.

Preventive Law
Lawyers familiar with legal issues at private colleges and universities will explain the basic principles with which department chairs should be familiar and situations in which it is necessary to document actions. Emphasis will be placed on anticipating and thereby preventing legal problems.

Legal Issues Surrounding Sexual Misconduct, Civility on Campus, and Academic Freedom
Experts on legal issues for private colleges and universities will discuss topics of current relevance to chairs. Legal implications of working toward civility on campus while maintaining academic freedom will be explored, as well as the chair’s role when students or faculty members raise issues of sexual misconduct.

Working with the Chief Academic Officer
What do chief academic officers expect of department chairs? What are the do’s and don’ts for department/division chairs in creating an effective working relationship with the CAO?

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Who Should Attend?

The workshops are designed to serve both experienced and new chairs of departments or divisions at independent colleges and universities. Campuses are encouraged to send several department chairs to the workshop so they may support one another in instituting change upon return to their college or university. A single representative from an institution would also find the workshop helpful. Chief academic officers, deans, and associate deans who work closely with chairs would find the program beneficial and are welcome to attend.

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Workshop Leaders

At each workshop, presenters will include an attorney who is experienced in the legal issues confronting chairs at independent colleges and universities, experts on the other session topics, a CIC staff member with a broad perspective on the issues of chairs, an experienced department or division chair, and a senior chief academic officer from a private college or university who is knowledgeable about the work of chairs. The following experts have agreed to make presentations at the workshops:

March 30-31: San Francisco, CA

Jane T. Jakoubek joined Monmouth College as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty in 2006. Earlier she served in a comparable role at Hanover College for 11 years, during which time the faculty developed a new curriculum and expanded study-abroad opportunities for students. She also has served as a professor of psychology and department head at Luther College. Her research areas include institutional change and the support of new faculty members; she is a frequent presenter at the CIC Institute for Chief Academic Officers.

Larry Nuti serves as college counsel at Saint Mary’s College of California. Mr. Nuti supports various college departments on issues such as copyright and trademark, sponsorship, charitable giving, and related tax matters. He assists the general counsel in the management of litigation and advises college offices and departments with respect to compliance matters.

Kenneth J. Porada has been provost and vice president for academic affairs at Dominican University since August 2002. While serving as provost, Porada has remained active in the classroom, teaching a course on psychopharmacology. Before joining Dominican, he spent 24 years at Heidelberg College, where he served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, and later as interim president.

Marianne Schimelfenig has been general counsel for Saint Mary’s College of California since 1998. Previously she was a trial attorney for the Regents of the University of California. She has served as a director of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and has been a speaker at conferences hosted by NACUA, National Association of College and University Business Officers, Association of Governing Boards, and Council of Christian Colleges & Universities.

Michael Williams is president of The Austen Group, a firm that has provided institutional research for more than 60 small colleges and universities in the areas of admissions, financial aid leveraging, program mix, and retention. In his work with CIC, he has produced the Key Indicators Tool and the pilot for the Financial Indicators Tool, which assist college and university presidents in analyzing the financial health of their institutions. He was a member and chair of the English department at William Jewell College.

May 22-24: Chapel Hill, NC

Virginia Bianco-Mathis is a professor in the School of Business and director of Human Resources Graduate Programs at Marymount University in Virginia. She teaches courses in organizational development, team and group dynamics, and human resource strategy. She is also the managing partner with the Strategic Performance Group. Her consulting work and publications address issues such as leadership development, executive team building, executive coaching, and conflict and dialogue.

John W. Bruton is professor of English and associate dean, school of arts and humanities at Ferrum College. For 12 years, he served as chair of the Language, Literature, Religion, and Philosophy Division at Ferrum. While chair, he developed with other division chairs the new E-term program, and created the standards and logistics for the writing intensive program at Ferrum. He also has edited a new (modern-spelling) edition of Colley Cibber’s Double Gallant.

Kate Sigman Hendricks is deputy university counsel of Duke University. She practiced law in Washington, DC for several years before joining the Duke counsel’s office in 1987. For the past 20 years, her practice has involved virtually all aspects of education law, with an emphasis on employment issues. She also has significant experience in addressing intellectual property, research, and student affairs issues. She has made presentations to legal and university audiences on various topics, including the arbitration of employment disputes, institutional review board issues, and research issues. She serves on Duke’s Human Subjects Committee and its Athletic Council.

Barbara Hetrick is vice president and dean of the college at Catawba College. She was vice president for academic affairs and professor of sociology and anthropology at the College of Wooster from 1997 to 2003 and vice president and dean of academic affairs at Hood College from 1984 to 1995. She has also served as vice president of the Maryland Independent College and University Association.

Michael Williams is president of The Austen Group, a firm that has provided institutional research for more than 60 small colleges and universities in the areas of admissions, financial aid leveraging, program mix, and retention. In his work with CIC, he has produced the Key Indicators Tool and the pilot for the Financial Indicators Tool, which assist college and university presidents in analyzing the financial health of their institutions. He was a member and chair of the English department at William Jewell College.

May 30-June 1: Philadelphia, PA

Claudia DeVries Beversluis is provost at Calvin College where she began her tenure in 1990, first as a faculty member in the psychology department and later as dean for instruction. Prior to Calvin, she served as a clinical psychologist specializing in child, adolescent, and family therapy. She is a co-editor of Community and Connection: Service Learning and Christian Higher Education.

James J. Lakso was appointed provost and vice president for student development at Juniata College in 1998 after serving a one-year term as interim provost. Lakso was a faculty member in the Department of Economics and Business Administration at Juniata for 27 years and, during this time, he held several administrative positions, including department chair, assistant dean for social science, and assistant academic dean. He is a frequent speaker at the CIC Institute for Chief Academic Officers.

Richard J. Sherry is dean of faculty growth and assessment at Bethel University where he supervises instructional evaluation, chairs the College Program Assessment Committee, and has primary oversight for development of the institutional assessment plan. As a consultant, he has advised campuses on faculty evaluation programs and institutional assessment; he often makes presentations on these topics at conferences. At Bethel, he initiated the Department Chair Handbook. Earlier in his career, he was chair of the division of English and communication arts at Asbury College.

John C. Spurlock has been chair of the humanities division since 1999 at Seton Hill University, where he has served on the history faculty since 1990. He also taught at Bloomsburg University and, in 2005, was a
Fulbright Distinguished Lecturer at the Univerzitet Crne Gore in Montenegro.

Lawrence White is president of Lawrence White Consulting, a firm specializing in projects for colleges and universities relating to institutional management, operations, and planning as well as the institutional legal function. Earlier in his career, he was chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Education; he has also served as a program officer with the Pew Charitable Trusts and as university counsel at Georgetown University. He has received the William G. Whitney Award for distinguished undergraduate teaching from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

June 5-7: Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

Nancy Alex, senior consultant for assessment and program analysis for The Austen Group, assists small colleges and universities in their institutional research. She has served as a faculty member in education and also has a background in science. She has specialized experience in using data to improve classroom teaching, program structure, and institutional quality.

Judith Griffith is an associate professor of English at Wartburg College where she serves as chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages. Prior to this appointment, she was the assistant dean for faculty development at the college; she has also served as an organizational consultant in the private sector.

Colleen A. Hegranes is senior vice president at the College of St.
Catherine where she has served in a number of leadership positions since 1977, including director of housing, dean of students, vice president for enrollment management, and vice president of student affairs. She has received numerous awards in recognition of her work, including the American College Personnel Association Diamond Honoree Award.

Christopher Hogan is a principal in the law firm of Moots, Carter and Hogan, LPA in Columbus, Ohio. The firm focuses its practice on the legal problems of colleges and universities and employment law. Hogan has extensive experience working with college and university administrators in the areas of labor and employment law, the law of nonprofit organizations, and litigation in those areas. A frequent speaker and author on labor and employment matters, he coauthored the “Faculty Handbook” and “Wage/Hour” sections of the Legal Deskbook for Administrators of Independent Colleges and Universities (2nd ed.).  

Jane T. Jakoubek joined Monmouth College as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty in 2006. Earlier she served in a comparable role at Hanover College for 11 years, during which time the faculty developed a new curriculum and expanded study-abroad opportunities for students. She also has served as a professor of psychology and department head at Luther College. Her research areas include institutional change and the support of new faculty members; she is a frequent presenter at the CIC Institute for Chief Academic Officers.

Michael Williams is president of The Austen Group, a firm that has provided institutional research for more than 60 small colleges and universities in the areas of admissions, financial aid leveraging, program mix, and retention. In his work with CIC, he has produced the Key Indicators Tool and the pilot for the Financial Indicators Tool, which assist college and university presidents in analyzing the financial health of their institutions. He was a member and chair of the English department at William Jewell College.

The following CIC staff will attend selected workshops:

Fred Ohles, senior vice president of the Council of Independent Colleges, was vice president for academic affairs at Illinois College from 1996 to 2002. Previously, he served as associate dean at St. Olaf College, with responsibility for curriculum, faculty development, and international programs. He began his academic career teaching European history.

Mary Ann F. Rehnke, vice president for programs of the Council of Independent Colleges, is a former faculty member in the Department of Literature and Languages who also has served as the associate dean of the college at the College of St. Catherine and at Daemen College. She edited Liberal Learning and Career Preparation, Is This Good for Our Students?, and wrote “The Life of a Department Chair.” She works with advisory groups to plan the CIC Department/Division Chair Workshops.

Sarah M. Stoycos has been at the Council of Independent Colleges as program officer since 2006 and is responsible for a variety of program and grants-related activities. From 2002 to 2006 she was a visiting assistant professor of music history at Centre College and, prior to holding this position, was a visiting instructor at Bowdoin College.

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Preliminary Schedule for Workshops in Chapel Hill, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul*

* The San Francisco workshop will follow a concentrated format beginning at 8:00 a.m. the first day and ending at Noon on the second day.

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Workshop Costs and Registration

Member colleges:
$365 for the first person
$305 for each additional person

Nonmember colleges:
$465 for the first person
$405 for each additional person

To register for the workshops, use the online registration form.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be made in full (less a $50 processing fee) for cancellations received more than ten business days prior to the workshop for which you have registered. Refund requests received between five and ten business days of the start of the workshop incur a charge equal to 25 percent of the total registration fee. Requests received less than five business days prior to the start of the workshop are ineligible for a refund. Please send cancellation requests, in writing, to the attention of Kim Farmer, CIC Conference Coordinator, by fax at (202) 466-7238 or by email at kfarmer@cic.nche.edu. Registrations are transferable within an institution.

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Workshop Site, Hotel, and Travel Information

Workshops will be held at hotels in four locations. Information is below:

San Francisco, CA
March 30-31

Hotel Whitcomb/Ramada Plaza
1231 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: (415) 626-8000
Fax: (415) 861-1460
Room Rate: $99 single/double
Reservation Deadline: March 1, 2007

To make reservations, call (415)626-8000 and specify that you are attending the Council of Independent Colleges Workshop for Department Chairs. For detailed information regarding hotel amenities visit the hotel’s website, www.ramadaplazasf.com.

Driving Directions to Hotel Whitcomb/Ramada Plaza:
From the San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Take Highway 101 North into San Francisco. Take the Civic Center Exit. Once on the exit ramp, stay in the left hand lane which veers left onto 9th Street (a Northbound one-way street). Continue on 9th Street to Market Street. Take a right turn (Eastward) on Market Street. The hotel is between 8th and 9th Streets on the right side (South Side).

From the Bay Bridge: Take Highway 101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge ($5 Bridge Toll Southbound). Once on the San Francisco side, continue on Highway 101 South to Lombard Street. Take Highway 80 West, which crosses the Bay Bridge ($4 Bridge Toll Westbound), to enter San Francisco. Stay on 80 West (2nd lane from right) until exiting on the 9th Street/Civic Center Exit. Once on the exit ramp, stay in the right hand lane and follow it to 9th Street (which is a Northbound one-way street). Take the right turn on 9th Street. Continue on 9th Street to Market Street. After Mission Street, turn right on Market Street. The hotel is between 8th and 9th Streets on the right (South) side.

From the Golden Gate Bridge: Take Highway 101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge ($5 Bridge Toll Southbound). Once on the San Francisco side, continue on Highway 101 South to Lombard Street. Continue on Lombard Street to Van Ness Street. Take a right on Van Ness Street. Continue on Van Ness to Golden Gate Avenue (approximately 1 ½ miles). After passing Ellis, Eddy, then Turk Streets take a left turn on Golden Gate Avenue. Go three blocks and take a right turn on Hyde Street (which is a one-way Southbound street). Go three blocks and cross Market Street. Immediately after crossing Market Street, move into the right lane and turn right into our parking entrance.

Airport Transportation:
You can take BART from SFO to Civic Center BART Station, which is right outside the hotel, for approximately $6.00. After deplaning, follow the AirTrain signs and take AirTrain to BART. BART tickets from SFO to Civic Center may be purchased at the BART station. For more information call (415) 989-2278. The SFO Airporter bus leaves SFO terminals for downtown destinations for approximately $15.00 one-way. For details call (415) 626-8000 extension 184. There are also many door-to-door van companies serving downtown from SFO at a cost ranging from $15-$25. Catch any of the shuttles outside SFO at the shuttle stand or inquire at the SFO Information Kiosk.

BART directions from Oakland International Airport (OAK): Take Oakland Air-BART shuttle to Coliseum BART Station. Shuttle leaves airport frequently and costs approx. $2. Once at Coliseum BART Station, take San Francisco/Daly City BART to Civic Center station. The hotel is located on Market at 8th Street -- Civic Center BART Station is right outside the hotel.

Overnight hotel parking is available at $25.00 and is on a limited first come, first serve basis.

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Chapel Hill, NC
May 22-24

Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel
1 Europa Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Tel: (919) 968-4900
Fax: (919) 942-3557
Room Rate: $119 single/double
Reservation Deadline: April 23, 2007

To make reservations, call (919)968-4900 and specify that you are attending the Council of Independent Colleges Workshop for Department Chairs. For detailed information regarding hotel amenities visit the hotel’s website, www.sheratonchapelhill.com.

The Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel is conveniently located just off I-40, on highway 15/501, about 15 miles from Raleigh/Durham International Airport.

Driving Directions to the Sheraton Chapel Hill:
From Raleigh/Durham International Airport (RDU): Take I-40 West towards Chapel Hill. Exit at exit 270 towards highway 15/501. Drive 1.2 miles on Hwy. 15-501 S. to the intersection of Europa Drive & Erwin Road. Yield left onto Europa Drive. The hotel's driveway will be immediately on your left.

From Atlanta & Charlotte: Take I-75/I-85 North and follow the signs to stay on I-85 N. I-85 N will become I-85 N/I-40 E. Follow the signs to stay on I-40 E. Take exit number 270 to US-15/US-501 and turn right towards Chapel Hill. Drive 1.2 miles on Hwy. 15-501 S. to the intersection of Europa Drive & Erwin Road. The hotel's driveway will be immediately on your left.

From Richmond & Durham: Take I-95 South then bear right onto I-85 South. Take US-15/US-501 towards Chapel Hill on your left. Drive on Hwy. 15-501 S. until you reach the intersection of Europa Drive & Erwin Road. Turn left onto Europa Drive. The hotel's driveway will be immediately on your left.

Airport Transportation:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport offers a variety of transportation options, ranging from taxi and limousine service to rental cars and shuttle buses. RDU Airport Taxi Service provides service to and from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. To schedule a taxi, please call (919) 840-7277. Reservations and on-demand service are available. The estimated one-way fare to Chapel Hill is $35.00.

Passengers can take TTA Shuttle transportation to and from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to many regional destinations including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and Research Triangle Park. The adult fare for TTA travel is $2.00 for a one-way trip, or $4.00 for a Regional Day Pass good for travel on all public transportation systems in the Triangle. For further information on airport transportation services, visit www.rdu.com/groundtrans/groundtrans.htm.

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Philadelphia, PA
May 30-June 1

Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia
237 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tel: (215) 893-1600
Fax: (215) 893-1664
Rate: $125 single/double
Reservation Deadline: May 1, 2007

To make reservations, call (800)222-8733 or (215)893-1600 and specify that you are attending the Council of Independent Colleges Workshop for Department Chairs. For detailed information regarding hotel amenities visit the hotel’s website, www.doubletree.com.

The Doubletree Hotel is conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport and sits in the heart of Philadelphia’s arts district along the Avenue of Arts and across from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and Merriam and Wilma Theaters.

Driving Directions to the Doubletree:
From Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): Take I-95 North to Exit 17 (PA-611 North/ Broad Street Exit). Continue North on Broad Street for approximately 3 miles. The Hotel is located on the right side, one block past Spruce Street, at the corner of Broad and Locust Street.

From Baltimore, Washington and Points South: Take I-95 North past the Philadelphia Intl. Airport following the signs to the Broad Street exit. Take Broad Street North and follow Broad Street for about 3 miles. The hotel is on the corner of Broad and Locust.

From New York, New Jersey and points Northeast (via NJ Turnpike): Take NJ Turnpike South to exit 4 (Philadelphia/Camden Exit). Take 73 North to 38 West. Follow signs to The Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Once over the bridge follow signs for 676 West. Take 676 West to the Broad Street/ Central Philadelphia Exit onto 15th street heading south. Take 15th Street (approximately 7 blocks) and make a left turn onto Locust Street. Take Locust one block to Broad Street, the hotel is located directly in front of you at the corner of Broad and Locust Streets.

Harrisburg, Hershey and points West: Take Pennsylvania Turnpike East to exit 24 (Valley Forge). Get onto 76 E. following signs to Central Philadelphia. Take Vine St. (I-676) to Broad St. exit and make a right onto 15th St. Follow 15th St. to locust and make a left onto Locust. Go 1 block to Broad St. and the hotel is on the corner

Airport Transportation:
Taxi service is readily available from the airport for approximately $20.00 one-way. Amtrak’s 30th Street Station is approximately just ten minutes away from the Doubletree Hotel. Cabs are also available from the station to the hotel for an estimated $15.00 one-way fare.

Hotel Parking is available for $18.00 for self-park and $22.00 for valet parking. Daily in/out parking privileges are available.

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Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
June 5-7

Crowne Plaza, St. Paul Riverfront
11 East Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55101
Tel: (866)422-3185 or (651)292-1900
Fax: (651) 605-6966
Rate: $125.00 single/double
Reservation Deadline: May 5, 2007

To make reservations, call (866)422-3185 or (651) 292-1900 and specify that you are attending the Council of Independent Colleges Workshop for Department Chairs. For detailed information regarding hotel amenities visit the hotel’s website, www.stpaulhotels.crowneplaza.com.

Driving Directions to the Crowne Plaza:
From Minneapolis/St .Paul International Airport (MSP): From Airport take I-494 East to Highway 5 (7th Street). Follow Highway 5 to downtown St Paul. Turn right/East onto Kellogg Boulevard. At third stoplight, turn left/North onto Wabasha Street - Hotel and parking ramp are on the right.

Airport Transportation:
The Crowne Plaza is approximately 20 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Taxis are available for approximately $25.00 one-way. Shuttle service is also available from the airport for $13.00 one-way.

The hotel is also accessible by train. The Amtrack train stop is approximately 6 miles from the hotel. Once there, taxis are available from the train station to the hotel for about $10.00 one-way.

Hotel parking is available at a discounted rate for the group of $6.00 per day.

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Questions

If you have questions about the workshops, please contact Mary Ann Rehnke, Vice President for Programs, at mrehnke@cic.nche.edu or (202) 466-7230.

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