Abstract
This article presents a university president’s perspective on the centrality of the department chair’s role in higher education. It argues that the chairship is the most critical and often most ambiguously defined position in the academic hierarchy, given its decisive influence over personnel actions, recruitment, evaluation, and the daily functioning of academic units. The discussion emphasizes housekeeping responsibilities as essential foundations, followed by three domains in which effective chairs are indispensable. First, strong chairs excel at recruiting faculty and students, shaping departmental quality through strategic appointments. Second, they make timely and well documented personnel decisions, particularly regarding evaluation, retention, and salary administration, thereby preventing avoidable conflicts and institutional vulnerability. Third, they provide leadership within the broader campus community, contributing to academic decision making and advancing disciplinary interests. The article highlights the tensions inherent in the chair’s position, including conflicting expectations, limited authority, and pressures from both administrators and faculty. It concludes that presidents must work to define, support, and defend the chairship if institutions are to benefit from its full potential.
Recommended Citation
Dedmon, Donald N.
(1985)
"A President Interprets the Roles and Powers of the Ideal Chair,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 52, Article 5.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol52/iss1/5
