Questions to Ask Your Department Chair
The answers to the following questions are not closely-guarded
secrets. In fact, you will be told much of the information without
having to ask. However, you should feel comfortable asking your
chair these questions (and any others). If your chair doesn't
know the answer to a question, he/she should be able to find
out the answer or direct you to the right source-often, the department's
administrative support staff.
Faculty roles and responsibilities
-
What are the
department's expectations of me this year-and in subsequent years-regarding:
-
Teaching
-
Advisement
-
Department/College meetings
-
Committee work
-
Curricular improvement
-
Research or creative activity
-
Extra curricular/student activities
-
What are the department's policies
for retention, promotion and tenure (RPT)?
-
What is the
department deadline for submission of my Portfolio in Fall
2004? What format is
used? Is there an example of a Portfolio that I can examine?
Classroom-related issues
-
Is there a faculty dress standard?
-
What is the department's policy
on syllabi? Are there sample syllabi available that are indicative
of what is taught in this course and what is normally expected
of students in this type of course?
-
What are the University and department
policies/procedures for adding students? What is the policy for
dropping students from class at various times during the semester?
-
What does an Incomplete signify?
Under what circumstances might I decide to assign an Incomplete?
-
What is my
responsibility for arranging coverage for my classes in case
of an unpredicted absence
(if I'm ill)? What is my responsibility for
arranging coverage for my classes in a predicted
absence (if I'm going to a conference)?
- What campus resources are available
to help me with my teaching?
Grading, advising and student behavior
- What is the department's grading
policy?
-
What is the acceptable range of
a class G.P.A.?
- I know the
University's policies
on academic dishonesty are in the current University catalog. Are
there department policies or procedures that
elucidate or augment this discussion?
-
What do I do if a student is a
behavior problem in class?
- What do I do if a student is injured
in class?
-
In what areas am I expected to
advise students? Who can be assigned to show me the ropes vis a vis advising?
Department office policies/procedures
-
What is the department procedure
for having course materials (syllabi, exams, etc.) typed and/or
duplicated?
-
What is the department procedure
for making copies?
- What clerical help is available?
- What is the department procedure
for petty cash reimbursement?
Equipment and research funding
- What computer facilities are available
to me from the department, college and university?
-
What is the procedure for requesting
new or additional instructional equipment?
- What is the department policy
for asking for research equipment or funds?
- Is there money for professional
travel to conferences? How do I apply for it?
- Are other travel funds available?
- What intradepartmental, College,
or University grants are available to me?
Miscellaneous
- What is the department policy
regarding office hours?
- If I have
a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday teaching schedule, am
I expected to be on
campus one or more of the other weekdays? What
if I teach three days per week?
- How are decisions made about course
offerings, faculty assignment to courses and scheduling? What
am I scheduled to teach in the spring semester?
-
How do I apply to teach in Winter
Session and/or Summer Session?
And, perhaps, the most important question to ask:
- Can you suggest other faculty in the
department who could mentor me?
(Prepared by Cynthia Rawitch,
Christie Logan, Elizabeth Berry, Cynthia Desrochers,
and Mary Schaffer (2002). Updated
by Christie Logan - July 8, 2003, at Cal State Northridge. Thanks, friends!)
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