The Senate of Michigan Technological University


PROPOSAL 4-92

INSTITUTIONAL EVALUATION, DEPARTMENTAL GOVERNANCE

The title of each departmental supervisor shall be "Chair."

The senate recommends that all appointments for departmental supervisors be for a specific, renewable term. Periodic evaluations are also recommended. While the responsibilities delegated to each departmental supervisor may vary across departments (these responsibilities will be defined by each department's charter), the finite length of the appointment and the periodic evaluations are more customarily associated with the title "Chair." For the sake of uniformity, all departmental supervisors should carry one title.

Additional documentation concerning the uniform change to the title "Chair" is supplied in Appendix 4-92 (below)

APPENDIX 4-92: Title for Departmental Supervisors

For the purpose of clarity, the following extreme definitions of Head and Chair are used (Modified definition from senate proposal 8-83):

Head: A head is understood to be an agent of the administration with a secondary responsibility as liaison from the department to the administration. The head may establish and disband any committees without the approval or counsel of the department faculty. The head alone is responsible for the smooth operation of the department. The dean selects the head with input from the department. The head serves for an indefinite period of time at the pleasure of the administration.

Chair: A chair is understood to be an agent of the department faculty with a secondary responsibility as liaison from the administration to the faculty. Under a Chair, the departmental governance is defined by a departmental charter created with input from all departmental faculty. This charter may not be altered without the faculty's consent. The faculty and the Chair share responsibility for the smooth operation of the department. Selection procedures for the Chair are determined by the faculty with input from the Dean. The Chair serves for a definite period of time, often with the possibility for reappointment.

The senate referendum has recommended that all appointments of departmental supervisors should be of finite duration with a periodic evaluation for reappointment. The difference in Head and Chair arises from the functional responsibility delegated to each supervisor. The amount of responsibility delegated is the prerogative of each department and is described in the department charter. Therefore, it is recommended that the title of all department supervisors will be chair.

 

Defeated in Referendum: Spring 1992
Combined Proposals 4-92, 5-92, 6-92, and 8-92 to form Proposal 16-92