Department Chair Duties

Department Chair Duties

Each department has a chair appointed by the dean, following an election by, or after consultation with, the faculty of the department. The chair is usually a tenured full professor.

The major duties of the chair (or his or her designate) are as follows:

Curriculum and Course Offerings

• Develop, maintain, and review the curriculum and course offerings in consultation with the associate dean and director of undergraduate or graduate studies.
  • The template for new courses and course changes is available here.

Department Schedule and Teaching Assignments

• Coordinate teaching loads for all faculty and associate instructors in the department by planning the schedule of classes for each semester and assigning students to specific teachers as necessary.
  • Submit schedule build to the scheduling office after assigning and carefully reviewing all details. All schedule details (rooms, text notes, instructor, etc.) roll over from fall to fall, spring to spring, and summer to summer. Any changes must be made once for each semester.
  • Attend teaching assignment meeting with associate dean for instruction during the first week of classes to confirm studio assignments and place unassigned students.

Hiring, Mentorship, and Evaluation of Faculty and AIs

• Recommend the appointment of new faculty and associate instructors.
  • Serve as chair of search and screen committee.
  • Work with Office of Music Admissions and Financial Aid to make AI appointments.
• Coordinate the orientation and training for new faculty and associate instructors.
  • Be aware of faculty and AI orientation activities required by the School and University.
• Evaluate all departmental faculty every year (based on DMAI, teaching evaluations, and personal observation) and discuss the evaluations with the dean. (February)
• Mentor tenure-track faculty.
• Supervise tenure and promotion dossiers for department faculty members and prepare the department and chair letters of recommendation.
• Mentor NTT faculty not yet on a long-term contract.
• Supervise long-term contract dossiers for non-tenure track faculty, and prepare the department and chair letters of recommendation.

Other Responsibilities

• Serve on the School of Music Council and other school-wide committees as assigned.
• Supervise departmental activities such as new student auditions, recital hearings, departmental examinations, etc., maintain accurate records of results; work with the director of communications to publicize departmental activities.
• Schedule and conduct department meetings and coordinate department faculty’s activities as related to the department.
• Advise majors in the department, including recommendations for doctoral advisory and research committees.
• Work with the JSoM administration on the relationship of the department to the mission of the School.
• Provide vision and lead new departmental initiatives.