To determine how English department chairmen perceive the role of the freshman English director, a study surveyed English department chairmen from 250 randomly selected medium/small to large universities nationwide, representing every state (with a 54% response rate). The questionnaire solicited data about the tasks and responsibilities of…

A survey of 174 deans revealed that budget management, communication skills, encouragement of faculty development, communication with the dean, and rewarding faculty achievement are high priority skills for English department heads. Regardless of discipline, chairs must have a range of sophisticated managerial skills for which they may need…

Activities and roles of department heads that can improve departmental and faculty effectiveness were investigated, along with dimensions associated with departmental leadership of chairpersons. In the first of two studies, department heads at four-year institutions were interviewed to identify views of existing conditions in higher education,…

Discusses the experiences a new chair of the University of Virginia's drama department. Discusses general principles to follow and specific actions to reinvigorate a theater department. (RS)

This book addresses the administration of music programs in institutions of higher education and the roles, responsibilities, and interactions of students, faculty and administrators. Chapter I looks at music departments and music education as a bureaucratic enterprise. It reviews trends in American higher education and its forms and argues for…

The potential roles of department heads, deans, and faculty development directors in guiding and monitoring the effective delivery of faculty incentives are outlined, and key factors in facilitating and inhibiting vitality and signs of increased vitality are listed. (MSE)

In this article, Black studies is described as both searching for and responding to meaning in the human experience through the Black experience. Based upon Thompson's distinction of ideational and operational roles in any healthy group, a model for administering Black studies programs at the university level is proposed. (GC)

The trend toward decentralization of academic computing is described. Causes for the trend are examined and the best approaches to management and support of computing activities in this environment are explored. The future roles of the central computing center, departments or discipline areas, and individual users are outlined. (Author/MSE)

Literature about the roles of college deans and department heads is reviewed, issues confronting these administrators are discussed, and their information needs are examined. A guide to the categories, types, and sources of useful information is provided. (MSE)

Department chairmanship responsibilities are becoming heavier in the face of the demands associated with issues that challenge academic communities at the close of the 20th century. A director of forensics is occupied with decisions about the forensics program's philosophy, to provide understanding and impetus for team and individual goals, and…

Because the structure of a writing program establishes its content and values, a writing program should be integrated with other aspects of English studies to avoid being merely an add-on to the college English department. Several planning strategies can assist in promoting this integration. A writing program should involve all related campus…

Sweeping reforms within general education have brought radical changes to traditional writing requirements at many institutions around the country, in some cases extending to the elimination of those requirements. At Portland State University (Oregon), writing is now to be the province of those teaching in the new general education program. Many…

Surveys freshman English directors in order to help define the role of the writing center director. Discusses how writing center directors are viewed within English departments. Appends the questionnaire used. (MS)

A collection of 31 articles addresses issues in college language department administration, focusing on the role and responsibilities of the department head. The following articles are included: "View from the Top: What a Liberal Arts College President Expects from a Language Department" (Schmidt); "View from the Top: What a Liberal Arts Dean…

This monograph presents the plan of the Intra-Agency Council of the New York State Department of Education to increase physical and programmatic accessibility of all Department programs and services. First, the mission and goals of the Council as well as its activities are briefly reviewed. Next, the process for developing the department plan is…