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Question and Answer PeriodQuestion and Answer Period23
Preventive Law II: Adhering to Institutional Procedures and Policies—Faculty Performance EvaluationPreventive Law II: Adhering to Institutional Procedures and Policies—Faculty Performance Evaluation23Kathleen A. Rinehart<p>​An attorney will explain the chair’s role in faculty performance evaluation for reappointment, tenure, and promotion. Topics for discussion include the importance of adhering to effective procedures and institutional policies when documenting professional performance, the role of student evaluations of instruction, peer review of teaching, the evaluation of scholarly activities, and contributions to the work of the department or division.</p>
Preventive Law I: Adhering to Institutional Procedures and Policies—Hiring PracticesPreventive Law I: Adhering to Institutional Procedures and Policies—Hiring Practices22Kathleen A. Rinehart<p>An experienced higher education attorney will outline good hiring practices from the viewpoint of the department or division chair role. This session will focus on the importance of following effective procedures and institutional policies in drafting the position description, appointing the search committee, managing candidate files, checking references, and interviewing candidates by videoconference and in person.<br></p>
BreakBreak31
Wrap-upWrap-up32
Dealing with Difficult Faculty ConversationsDealing with Difficult Faculty Conversations25Jeffrey H. Barker<p>​Department and division chairs can prevent many issues from mushrooming into major problems through early intervention. Sometimes chairs delay difficult conversations with colleagues because they lack expertise to encourage change or to deliver bad news tactfully. How can the department or division chair understand better why a faculty member is less effective than expected? What strategies can motivate and support faculty members to become more productive? What skills and strategies might chairs develop to facilitate difficult conversations? Participants will explore how to have a frank conversation with a colleague and will have an opportunity to practice proven techniques.</p>
The Department or Division BudgetThe Department or Division Budget30Mark J. Braun<p>The department or division operating budget is often viewed as a simple set of line-item allocations. Chairs will learn about the components of budgets, different types of budgets, how their unit budgets fit into the larger institutional picture, effective practices for budget management, how to support colleague chairs in the budget process, and how to make the case for additional funding for the department or division.<br></p>
BreakBreak24
Building and Maintaining a Collegial DepartmentBuilding and Maintaining a Collegial Department36Tarshia L. Stanley<p>​What are the strategies that experienced chairs employ to build strong, productive relationships within a department or division? How can the chair influence faculty colleagues within and beyond the department or division? What lessons have they learned about working with their colleagues, students, and staff members toward departmental goals? How can chairs encourage diverse points of view and respect for all department or division members? Participants will explore these questions with an experienced administrator.</p>
Using Data EffectivelyUsing Data Effectively28J. Andrew Prall<p>​Good data can inform decisions about revisions to existing academic programs, help determine new curricular directions, and suggest strategies for attracting students to the major. How can departmental or divisional level data—including data from learning-outcomes assessment, program reviews, campus satisfaction surveys, enrollment trends, and national surveys such as the National Survey of Student Engagement—be used to strengthen programs? Chairs will learn how to use data for revisions to the curriculum, to conduct program reviews, and to attract students.</p>
Dealing with Difficult Faculty Conversations Report OutDealing with Difficult Faculty Conversations Report Out27
BreakBreak29
Welcome and Workshop OverviewWelcome and Workshop Overview19
BreakBreak21
Wrap up and Share AssignmentWrap up and Share Assignment26
Serving as Department or Division Chair: Beyond the Job DescriptionServing as Department or Division Chair: Beyond the Job Description20Tresmaine R. Grimes<p>​Few chairs planned to serve as administrators or managers when they were in graduate school or starting their academic careers. Most job descriptions for department chairs are simply lists of activities for which the chair is responsible, suggesting that chairs are task-oriented managers who schedule courses, handle student complaints, order equipment, prepare reports and evaluations, and take care of other departmental business. Chairs also must assume responsibility for departmental leadership, representing the department to the campus and community, serving as departmental advocate, and mentoring junior—and sometimes senior—faculty members. How do chairs manage these responsibilities along with their teaching and scholarly duties? What does the dean or chief academic officer expect from chairs? Department or division chairs also must develop a wider vision and understanding of campus-wide initiatives in which they might assume a leadership role. What campus resources can chairs tap to develop an institutional perspective? Participants will learn how to identify opportunities for leadership at the chair level.</p>