Background

In fall semester 2006, a group of department heads met to discuss their desires and goals for a better collective future at Virginia Tech. As a result of their discussions—and with the enthusiastic support of the provost—the Department Heads Council and its Executive Committee were formed.

 

Objectives

• To focus on developing a better collective future for Virginia Tech's academic departments and their leaders,
• To operate as an advisory and support group to enhance existing administrative and faculty governance structures, and
• To participate in the design and delivery of training programs that would support the development of existing and future department heads/chairs at Virginia Tech.

 

Department Heads Council Chair

• 2009-2010 chair of the Department Heads Council is Dr. Beate Schmittmann, Department Head, Physics.
• 2009-2010 vice-chair of the Department Heads Council is Dr. Eric Hallerman, Department Head, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences.
• Past chair of the Department Heads Council is Dr. Paul Winistorfer, Department Head, Wood Science and Forest Products.

 

Membership and Meetings

• The Department Heads Council membership includes the heads and chairs of all academic units (e.g., departments and schools).
• The Department Heads Council meets collectively at least once each semester with the provost and president (and other senior administrators as appropriate).
• The Council hosts monthly forums on topics of interest to their members.
• Listing of 2009-2010 Department Heads Council members (PDF)
• Calendar of Department Heads Council Events (will soon be posted)

 

Executive Committee and Meetings

• The Department Heads Council's Executive Committee includes two elected heads or chairs from each college, each serving two-year terms.
• Terms are staggered to provide continuity in college representation within the Executive Committee.
• The Executive Committee has a chair and vice-chair.
• The Executive Committee meets with the provost (and other senior administrators as appropriate) on a monthly basis to maintain a two-way dialogue on key issues as they arise and provide a timely means of advisory input.
• Listing of 2009-2010 Executive Committee members (PDF)
• Calendar of Executive Committee meetings (will soon be posted)

 

Subcommittees

• The Department Heads Council and its Executive Committee have the authority to establish standing committees and task-oriented study groups that focus on specific issues of importance to department heads/chairs and school directors.
• The outcomes of these subcommittees and study groups are advisory to the collective group and to members of the senior administration. They do not constitute any formal aspect of the university governance system.

 

Mentoring Program for Newer Department Heads/Chairs

• The Department Heads Council offers a mentoring program for newer department heads/chairs that supplements the initial training offered by the provost's New Department Heads and Academic Leaders Workshop.
• The mentoring activities are also available to faculty who wish to develop their administrative and leadership skills in consideration of potential future service as a department head or chair.
• For information regarding the department heads mentoring program, please contact Dr. Beate Schmittmann, Department Head, Physics.

 

Department Heads Council Listserv

• A Department Heads Council listserv exists for the use of Virginia Tech department heads/chairs and school directors. Listserv membership is limited to that group.
• Any member of the Department Heads Council listserv may post a message to the group at dh_council@listserv.vt.edu. Posts from any non-member will be rejected.
• The listserv provides an opportunity for dialogue among the heads/chairs on emerging issues of interest to the collective group.

 

Questions?

• For more information regarding the Department Heads Council, its Executive Committee, forums, meetings, or the council listserv, please contact Suzie Karlin, Provost's Office, skarlin@vt.edu.