Online Training

New Programming!

Gain in-depth knowledge and prepare for the fall semester with hands-on, intensive workshops for department chairs:

Program Assessment and Curriculum Review
June 14, 2012
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT

The Highly Effective Department Chair
June 21, 2012
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT

Learn More!

BOOKS

FERPA Clear and Simple: The College Professional’s Guide to Compliance

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance has always been challenging due to complex regulatory language and exposure to risk. However, institutions that do not comply are in jeopardy of losing federal funding. Accessible and user-friendly, FERPA Clear and Simple clarifies the regulations and provides a ready reference for compliance and problem solving. This need-to-have guide offers critical and relevant material (including the 2008 Amendments) from a new perspective to help staff in student affairs, academic departments, and administrative support positions understand and comply with FERPA guidelines.

BUY NOW!

See More Books

JOURNAL

This quarterly periodical for department chairs and deans features practical advice, useful information, and up-to-date resources. Its applications, techniques, case studies, strategies, and guidance are directly relevant to today's academic leaders.

SUBSCRIBE!

E-NEWSLETTER

ASK THE EXPERTS

10/5/2011 12:00 AM

Administrative Portfolios

From The Department Chair Insider, October 2011 – Vol. 1

Q. What is the value of an administrative portfolio?

A. Relatively few higher education institutions maintain a program of ongoing professional development for department chairs and other academic administrators. When there is a mandatory program of administrative review, the purpose is typically to determine whether the administrator should remain in the position. University policy, for example, might stipulate that department chairs must be evaluated every three years. These performance reviews commonly solicit faculty and staff assessments of the chair’s job performance on a survey instrument, which is collected and read by the dean. Rarely does a campus engage in performance review of department chairs or other academic administrators for the sole purpose of improving administrative effectiveness.

The administrative portfolio also allows for a more comprehensive approach to performance evaluation. The portfolio offers a context for performance review that includes consideration of the administrator’s approach and self-assessment. A supervisor is able, therefore, to review the administrator’s performance in relation to that individual’s administrative philosophy, goals, and strategies. The performance review afforded by the portfolio offers insights into why the administrator performs as he or she does. This information enables the evaluator to know better how to assist the administrator by pointing out the specific behavioral changes that are needed to improve performance and effectiveness.

The portfolio helps the administrator focus on improving job performance in between the formal reviews prescribed by campus policy. It has the advantage of helping the administrator develop the practice of continuously revisiting performance and reflecting on what might be done differently to enhance one’s effectiveness. A program of administrative portfolio review serves the administrator and the institution because it responds to the need for performance evaluation, facilitates performance improvement, and sustains professional development.

—Peter Seldin is Distinguished Professor of Management emeritus at Pace University, Pleasantville, New York.