The contractual duties of the department chairman at Rhode Island Junior College (RIJC), as at most public community colleges, place him in three roles: administrator, spokesman for his department, and teacher. Because, as a teacher, he is also a member of the collective bargaining unit, a conflict of role assignments occurs whenever the chairman is the target of some accusatory proceeding. In such a situation, the department chairman has no established protector--he is caught in the middle. Recognition of this problem led the author to survey 19 chairmen at RIJC as to their role perceptions. Significantly, opinion concerning whether or not to remain members of the bargaining unit split almost equally. As a result of chairman questionnaire and interview responses, a review of the literature, and consultations with faculty, administrators, and others, the author recommends that the chairman retain membership in the collective bargaining unit, that each duty in the contract be specifically labeled as to the role it represents, and that the dilemma of who should provide due process be resolved by providing different support depending on the role under attack. Questionnaires and organizational charts are appended. (Author/DC)