“The chair should strive to be an effective leader with a strong commitment to shared governance and to such key values as academic freedom, integrity and transparency, and collegiality and mutual respect. One of the chair’s primary responsibilities is to promote and support the department’s academic programs and the achievements of its faculty members. To do this effectively, the chair consults frequently with departmental faculty, particularly before endorsing candidates for appointment to the department, completing performance reviews for junior faculty members and recommending the reappointment or promotion of eligible faculty. Faculty input is also vital when modifying or developing curricula and programs and preparing annual capital and operating budget proposals. The chair monitors relations between the department’s students, faculty and staff, and plays a special role in advising students and mentoring junior faculty. He or she oversees the implementation and use of annual course and program assessments, periodic program reviews and self-study processes (when the latter are required by professional accreditation bodies or by the University). The chair also encourages and supports faculty in the achievement of their academic and research agendas.”
From Introduction to the Chairs Manual, Version 4.0