Creating
Positive Relationships
(DRAFT
- INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME)
A big part
of being an effective chair is the ability to create, or maintain positive
relationships. The following recommendations may help you to be more successful:
- One of your
most valuable allies is your Dean. Get to know their expectations, their strengths
and how you can work together to support the needs of your department. Remember
that Deans have to balance the needs of all departments. It is important to
keep them informed of your department's unique needs. Always meet requested
deadlines for submission of requests for staffing, budget and related matters
as this will allow your Dean to make the best possible case for what you need.
-
Have
careful and thoughtful interaction with the Department Chairs on the other
campuses regarding the planning of class offerings each term. This is valuable
because it may help disciplines avoid diluting the student pool so much
that classes must be canceled on one or more campuses. Balancing the times/days
and mode of instruction may also help to maintain the offerings.
-
Sharing
(via phone or in person) opinions regarding part-time faculty who need extra
support or who are of great value and should be rehired. It is also helpful
to share insight about part-time faculty whose work has not been effective.
-
When
dealing with any difficult or delicate topic communication is generally
eased by addressing the facts not the emotions. It is important to be attentive
to emotions, but not to become caught up in them or use emotionally charged
language in your communication.
-
Find
supportive people, including administrators who you can turn to for assistance
and ask their advice, especially during your first year as chair.
-
Think
through emergencies in advance. For example, if you have a faculty member
that arrives on campus unfit for duty ( drinking, etc ) on the job contact
your Dean and Campus Police. It is prudent to have the phone numbers in
your cell phone. Do NOT let a faculty member who appears drunk drive home.
Do not assume the faculty member is drunk as their appearance may be the
result of a medical condition. Campus Police is skilled in making these
assessments. Remember that these matters should be handled with utmost consideration
for privacy.
- If you have
concerns about a faculty or staff member's problematic performance contact
your Dean, the Dean of Faculty or Human Resources for advice about how the
situation may be resolved, or how to appropriately document the situation.