This digest summarizes the role of the dean or department chair in dealing with legal issues in higher education. It considers the types of legal issues which might arise for these administrators (such as contract and tort matters for staff and students), the erosion of the legislative and judicial deference given to academic decision making, and the role of institutional counsel and academic deans and chairs. It also discusses issues faced daily by academic administrators, such as employment contracts; decisions about hiring and promoting faculty and staff; due process in disciplining students; nondiscriminatory admissions decisions, especially in the emerging area of disability; confidentiality of student records; and negligence-based institutional liability involving students. (DB)