Academic department chairs serve as front-line managers and leaders who perform a wide variety of tasks. These tasks may include mundane chores, such as ordering office supplies, or important ones, such as changing the department culture to one that embraces assessment. Too often, however, individuals take on the chair position with little to no…

Currently, two-year colleges are teaching the lion's share of college composition classes, mainly consisting of developmental writing and first-year composition courses; however, those same two-year colleges have been slow in embracing the composition theory and practices that are studied and implemented at four-year colleges. One way to…

This article is concerned with the status of middle management in the community college. Aspects discussed include the dual role of the chairman and alternative models of departmental organization which attempt to reduce separatism within the college. Community Colleges is a monthly supplement to Change magazine. (RN)

The role of science division chairmen in regionally accredited public and private junior colleges is derived from the results of a national survey. Personal data and background, official job title, and teaching demands are the major aspects of the position discussed. (AL)

Results from a survey of department chairmen, faculty and administrators describe perceived role expectations and functions of the department chairman. (MN)

Thirty-three division chairmen from community colleges across the United States participated in an August 1970 conference whose purpose was to serve specific personal and interpersonal, group, and instructional systems objectives and to prepare specific guidelines for leadership in improvement of curricula and instruction in community colleges.…

The role of science division heads in regionally accredited public and private junior colleges was examined in terms of personal data and background; role definition; selection, appointment, and status; general activities and responsibilities; administration; teaching; instructional evaluation; greatest obstacles to effective role fulfillment; and…

Discusses the problems surrounding inservice development programs for deans and department chairpersons in junior and community colleges, including budget considerations, time constraints, selection of topics, planning, and implementation. Offers suggestions for making inservice activities productive. (Author/WD)

Describes the use of the nominal group process, a consensus-reaching technique, to identify factors preventing community college chairpersons from exercising effective leadership. Four broad categories of obstacles to effective leadership were identified, at a workshop with 63 participating chairpersons. (JDS)

Since collective bargaining is so closely tied to a department chairman's duties involving hiring, evaluation, promotion, tenure, assignment of duties, and discipline, the chairman can play an effective role as an administrative functionary only if he is excluded from the faculty bargaining unit. (NHM)

A survey was mailed to randomly selected two-year colleges in order to investigate physical education programs aand faculty status. Information was requested on curricular offerings and enrollments, faculty and chairperson status, teaching and coaching experience, workload responsibilities, and evaluation techniques. Results are discussed. (MT)

Reports on a study of the extent to which ambiguous and conflicting circumstances contribute to role strain perceptions among community college division heads. Clarifies how working conditions and personal attributes affect job expectations. Finds experience, age, outlook, and job satisfaction to be strong influential factors. (DMM)

Focuses on the role of the department chairperson in helping achieve curriculum and instructional improvement. Provides a general profile of the chairperson; examines roles and responsibilities, job frustrations, faculty expectations, and lack of performance data; offers recommendations for improving performance. (DMM)

Offers a personal account of a loaned executive program, whereby a Southern California Edison corporate communications employee served as interim chair of Cerritos College's journalism department. Reviews benefits to the firm and the college, and lessons learned during the experience. (DMM)

The effect of environment factors in producing change in the management/personality styles of department chairpersons was examined in this study. The study group, consisting of department chairpersons at Valencia Community College (Florida), and a comparable control group, were administered pre-tests and post-tests on the Myers-Briggs Type…