The Department Chair’s 12 Collegiality Rules

Madison, Wis.—December 6, 2007— Department chairs can play a significant role in bringing about a collegial environment within their departments through the personnel decisions they make as well as their everyday leadership, said Bob Cipriano, chair of Recreation & Leisure Studies at Southern Connecticut State University during his Magna Online Seminar, “The Chair's Role in Fostering Department Collegiality.” In the seminar, Cipriano explained the importance of collegiality, strategies for encouraging collegiality, and the role collegiality plays in promotion and tenure decisions. He recommended that chairs consider the following points related to collegiality:

• Department climate is the chair’s responsibility.
• Chairs can have a positive effect on the department environment by modeling the characteristics they wish their faculty, staff, and students to exhibit.
• The chair position is a service position.
• Chairs need to be knowledgeable and competent.
• The chair’s work should be as transparent as possible.
• Chairs should see themselves as equals.
• Chairs must be objective.
• Chairs must be credible.
• Chairs must respect all members of the department.
• Chairs must be humble.
• Department climate is bolstered by demonstrations of appreciation for jobs well done.
• Chairs need to protect the confidentiality of the privileged information they receive.

Featured Presenter: Dr. Robert Cipriano, Chairperson – Recreation and Leisure Studies at Southern Connecticut State University