Resources for SMCM department chairs and program coordinators

What exactly is involved in being chair/coordinator? 

Broadly speaking, chairs/coordinators function as the liaison between the program and Academic Affairs.  There are things that you'll definitely be called up to do, and then other things that may or may not be part of your responsibilities depending on the needs of the program during your term. 

All chairs and coordinators...

• schedule classes for the program

• serve as the ex officio chair for any tenure-track or visiting searches

• act as point person to onboard any new hires

• attend monthly chairs meetings with the VPAA and Dean of Faculty

• oversee the program's assessment work (in coordination with Katy Arnett and, if you so choose, a department delegated to help with assessment)

• sign the travel authorization forms for colleagues planning conference travel (international travel must be signed by the VPAA; this will shift to Associate Deans in FA23)

• help monitor the program operating budget (in consultation with an Associate Dean)

• certify graduating majors in December and May (and other times as needed) by reviewing the transcripts in comparison with program requirements

• serve as program authority for the registrar's office to evaluate suitable course equivalencies for transfer or study abroad credits

• help promote and encourage program's help with Admissions events

Some chairs and coordinators may...

• oversee placement exams

• turn in a yearly hiring plan accounting for any sabbaticals or course releases and requesting any supplementary hiring (most CDSAs don't have this responsibility)

• oversee the program's external review process in required years, in concert with an Associate Dean

• mentor pre-tenure faculty, meeting yearly to gauge progress and offer direction until the tenure review

• chair the Program Evaluation Committee for any department member undergoing the pre-tenure review, standing for tenure, or standing for promotion to full professor

• write the chair's letter in support of any and all departmental colleagues planning on paid leave (course releases or sabbatical) to explain staffing plans covering those absences

• hire student workers and/or part-time contractual staff

For a sample annual task list (broken down monthly) for what chairs might do, see this sample calendar of chair responsibilities throughout the year.