I.14 Resources for Department Chairs

Prior to the beginning of each academic year, the Dean of the College of Letters and Science holds a plenary meeting for all department and program chairs, directors, and administrators. This meeting serves several purposes, some of which have to do with addressing practical matters essential to college operations. These include, but are not limited to:

• introduction of new chairs and key personnel in L&S Administration;
• sharing news of campus- and college-wide developments and activities;
• presentation of new or revised policies and procedures; and
• announcement of hiring authorization and budgetary developments.

One of the most important purposes served by this meeting is the presentation of the Dean's "State of the College" address, which will often celebrate the individual and collective successes of the L&S community, and outline challenges and priorities for the coming year.

This meeting is usually held on the morning of the Tuesday preceding the first week of classes.

In addition to the L&S-specific meeting, the Office of the Provost sponsors an annual meeting (as well as a variety of other activities) to help new department chairs and program directors "learn the ropes" as they prepare to assume their new administrative duties. This all-day event is generally held the week before classes begin (usually on Thursday). Session topics vary, but are focused on leadership strategies, developing connections to the many offices and units that support the activities in which departments are engaged - as well as the range of problems chairs may be called upon to help resolve. Since this information is needed throughout the year, the Office of the Provost has created an online "Chairs' Toolkit", located at http://www.provost.wisc.edu/deptChairs/ . On this site, chairs can find a list of key campus administrative contacts, links to documents, policies and reports, recommended readings on the subject of being department chair, etc.

For many years, L&S has shared with chairs two documents on this topic that some chairs have found to be useful. Leadership Strategies for Chairs, and What It Takes to be a Chair.

September 7, 2006