The pledge of a department chairman to be accessible to faculty members by maintaining the open-door policy is discussed, and the wisdom and utility of this policy questioned. The chairman found himself taking home three briefcases full of work while his colleagues went to basketball games. (MLW)

The head of a research university studio art program outlines the potential benefits and challenges associated with maintaining a first-rate program. Problems include high costs, a faculty merit review system, lack of faculty socialization to university norms or participation in campus affairs, lack of leadership incentives, a patronage mentality,…