Explores the issue of survival as department chair, examining three interrelated threats to the chairperson's well-being: role conflict, changes in collegial relationships, and job- related stress. Considers reasons for accepting appointment and some practical matters for chairs who serve in a term appointment. (PA)

States that, because teaching and scholarship are expected of all faculty, the broad roles that seem unique to the chair are academic and administrative leadership, resource acquisition and allocation, and constituent relationships/boundary spanning. Comments on and amplifies these requirements and discusses some tensions that arise for the…

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)

Relates one educator's experiences spanning 16 years as a department chair in both public and private universities. Considers what the role of a chairperson should be. (PA)

Warns potential future departmental chairpersons that, as chairperson, they will no longer be one of the faculty; they will be the first among equals; many people will see them as the entire department; they should never underestimate the pettiness of their colleagues; and they should expect their every move and decision to be suspect. (SR)

Examines the qualifications and administrative responsibilities of department heads as listed in "Spectra," the Speech Communication Association's monthly newsletter. Finds that over 75% of the listings indicated the doctorate or other terminal degree as a requirement; over half wanted previous administrative experience; nearly 70%…

Surveys 169 communication department chairpersons about the significance for tenure of 39 professional activities. Finds that the primary differentiating characteristic from one program to the next relative to promotion expectations regarding scholarship is the highest degree students can earn in the program. Finds that scholarship (articles,…

Discusses assessment with a focus on the speech communication discipline. Addresses the challenge communication administrators and educators continually face. (PA)

Offers information and observations on six areas of legal concern in circumstances where tenure is denied and the individual decides to contest the decision. Advises making the tough decisions early in the process, following the established process, and being as clear as possible in intentions and communication. (SR)

Discusses components of credibility for academic departments from the local (on campus) view and from the cosmopolitan (disciplinary) perspective. (SR)

Describes the management of academic departments in a university in Beijing (People's Republic of China). Discusses university structure and the role of academic chairpersons within this structure, how faculty are motivated through reward systems, and the role of politics in Chinese universities. (SR)

Questions survey results which find oral communication education alive and well in higher education. Argues that those outside the discipline need to be educated about the nature of speech communication education and that a concerted effort must be made by faculty and administrators to reinforce the academic credibility of the discipline. (PA)

Studies characteristics of hybrid speech/theater departments that describe themselves as highly cooperative and collegial. Presents perceived advantages and disadvantages of having a combined speech/theater department and results of questions pertaining to administrative difficulties in combined departments. Discusses alternative theories about…

Investigates administrative training and leadership practices used by communication department chairpersons. Examines the number of women chairpersons, differences in administrative training activities for men as compared to women chairpersons, and whether leadership practices differ according to length of term, gender, institution size,…

Describes changes in philosophy, departmental objectives, departmental title, curriculum, and faculty made by the chair of a speech communications and theater department in a small liberal arts college. (SR)