Department Chairs Council Committee

Purpose and Mission

Through Chairs Council, all department chairs contribute to college-wide decision-making activities.  Department Chairs’ roles and responsibilities are defined in the PFT Contract, Appendix 16.

COMMITTEE CHARGE: Department Chairs Council is a standing committee of the Academic Senate. The Council serves as a leadership advisory group for matters related to:

• schedule development,
• enrollment management,
• faculty hiring, and
• instructional units including facilities, technology, assessment, and curriculum
• policies, practices, procedures and processes as they pertain to department affairs

Through Chairs Council, all department chairs contribute to college-wide decision-making activities.  Department Chairs’ roles and responsibilities are defined in the PFT Contract, Appendix 16.  Lead Department Chair will serve as representative of the Chairs Council on the College Roundtable for Budget and Planning Committee, the Integrated Planning Committee, the Faculty Senate (non-voting), and other committees pertaining to the Chairs Council charge.

CHAIR: Lead Department Chair

SELECTION PROCESS/LENGTH OF TERM FOR CHAIR: The Lead Department Chair shall be elected each spring following department chairs elections and serve in this role for one academic year. Faculty interested in serving in this position will self-nominate each spring and voting will consist of one vote for each department. Eligible candidates will not represent departments that have had the Lead Department Chair role within the last three years.  Eligible candidates will also not currently serve in another major leadership position, such as chair of another shared governance committee at the college.  If no faculty member comes forward, the above restrictions may be waived by agreement of a simple majority of the Chairs Council.  If an individual is unwilling or unable to serve out an entire term, the process will be repeated to elect a new Lead Department Chair for the remainder of that term.  Whenever possible and/or practical, the incumbent Lead Department Chair may serve as co-Lead Department Chair for one academic year with a Lead Department Chair-elect, in order for operational continuity.  Lead Department Chair will serve as representative of the Chairs Council on the College Roundtable for Budget and Planning Committee, the Integrated Planning Committee, the Faculty Senate (non-voting), and other committees as well.

MEMBERSHIP: Elected Department Chairs

LENGTH OF TERM OF MEMBERS: One academic year, no term limits

EX-OFFICIO OFFICERS: Vice President of Instruction; Instructional Division Deans

RECOMMENDS TO: Academic Senate

MEETING DAY & TIMES: 2^nd and 4^th Friday of each month; 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Department Chairs shall reserve one of the two monthly meetings of Chairs Council for chairs-only.  The second monthly meeting shall include the Vice President of Instruction and Division Deans.  To determine the agenda for chairs-only meetings, the Lead Department Chair shall consult all department chairs.  To determine the agenda for chairs and administrators meetings, the Lead Department Chair shall consult the Vice President of Instruction and Division Deans, as well as all department chairs.