Handbook of Operating Procedures 2-2140
Selection and Evaluation of Department Chairpersons


Effective June 28, 1989

Executive Sponsor: Executive Vice President and Provost
Policy Owner: Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Recommendations on appointments of department chairpersons shall be submitted by the deans to the President, who is responsible for the appointment of department chairpersons. Only those having the rank of professor shall be eligible to serve as a department chairperson, except when circumstances make this not feasible.

In the initial selection of a department chairperson, the dean shall consult with all voting members of the department or with their elected representatives. The procedures for consultation shall be formally communicated in writing to the voting members of the department's faculty. The department's voting faculty shall be given a reasonable opportunity to comment to the dean on the procedures. Possible means of consultation include consultative committees, which may be elective in whole or may include additional appointed members (especially appropriate in large departments), written comments from members of the department, or oral consultation with all members (in small departments). The dean shall make appropriate provisions to ascertain the views of teaching assistants and students in the department including, if a consulting committee is employed, representatives of those groups on the consulting committee.

When circumstances warrant, the dean may include in the consultative process members of the faculty from related departments. A statement of the consultative process employed shall accompany the dean's recommendation to the President.

At an appropriate time and not later than the end of any four-year period of service of a chairperson, the   dean shall review the administration of the department, including consultation with its members and submit  to the President an evaluation report and recommendation as to whether the incumbent should be   reappointed to that position.

Previously HOP 2.6

Reviewed: December 15, 2022
Next scheduled review date: December 2025