I had gotten to thinking that no one was reading this blog. But apparently a few people were reading it after all. I'd love to have any readers post a few comments if anyone has the time. It's easy to mess up in the freewriting mode of blogging, and if readers respond then I can go back and make corrections. Actually, it would be nice to get any type of response at all.
At any rate, I should clarify that in my last entry, I used the phrase "losing my Assistant Chair" which was really not accurate. For starters, I'm only serving as an Interim Chair. For our department the Assistant Chair is appointed by the Chair and then voted in by the department. And the term "my" indicates a level of possession which is not accurate. The Assistant Chair job is actually a very distinct job from the Chair's job. So the Assistant Chair is not an assistant to me, but rather an assistant to the department. The Assistant Chair is extremely helpful as someone I consult with on lots of issues, from hiring to personnel to student concerns. So it's more accurate to think of the Chair and Assistant Chair as partners. Certainly that's the way I think of the Assistant Chair, as a partner in running the department.
To be more accurate, I've now gone back and changed the previous entry title and revised some other things that seem inaccurate.
I also noted in my last entry that I thought stress was the ultimate issue impacting the Assistant Chair's decision to step aside. That's not totally accurate either. Having the Assistant Chair decide to resign was stressful for me. Blogging about the event was partly a way for me to reflect on that stress and what I saw as a highly stressful event. I feel I must have made some poor leadership decisions if the Assistant Chair decides to resign. Though the two jobs are not directly linked, there certainly is a relationship there. More to the point, as the Interim Chair, I hate to create great chaos for when the regular chair returns.
In any new job, you know you will make mistakes. I often feel I'm stumbling around in this job. But some issues seem larger than others. At least they weigh on my mind and keep me from being able to fall asleep at night.
At any rate, it's not an easy task to be Chair or Assistant Chair, I think.
Perhaps another chair will read this blog at some point and offer a few thoughts on the subject. And anyone else who reads is welcome to make comments too.
And if you are thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder if I should try becoming chair of my department?" Now there's a topic I could really give some thoughts too.
At any rate, I should clarify that in my last entry, I used the phrase "losing my Assistant Chair" which was really not accurate. For starters, I'm only serving as an Interim Chair. For our department the Assistant Chair is appointed by the Chair and then voted in by the department. And the term "my" indicates a level of possession which is not accurate. The Assistant Chair job is actually a very distinct job from the Chair's job. So the Assistant Chair is not an assistant to me, but rather an assistant to the department. The Assistant Chair is extremely helpful as someone I consult with on lots of issues, from hiring to personnel to student concerns. So it's more accurate to think of the Chair and Assistant Chair as partners. Certainly that's the way I think of the Assistant Chair, as a partner in running the department.
To be more accurate, I've now gone back and changed the previous entry title and revised some other things that seem inaccurate.
I also noted in my last entry that I thought stress was the ultimate issue impacting the Assistant Chair's decision to step aside. That's not totally accurate either. Having the Assistant Chair decide to resign was stressful for me. Blogging about the event was partly a way for me to reflect on that stress and what I saw as a highly stressful event. I feel I must have made some poor leadership decisions if the Assistant Chair decides to resign. Though the two jobs are not directly linked, there certainly is a relationship there. More to the point, as the Interim Chair, I hate to create great chaos for when the regular chair returns.
In any new job, you know you will make mistakes. I often feel I'm stumbling around in this job. But some issues seem larger than others. At least they weigh on my mind and keep me from being able to fall asleep at night.
At any rate, it's not an easy task to be Chair or Assistant Chair, I think.
Perhaps another chair will read this blog at some point and offer a few thoughts on the subject. And anyone else who reads is welcome to make comments too.
And if you are thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder if I should try becoming chair of my department?" Now there's a topic I could really give some thoughts too.
Hey Gian...just found this today and wanted to say "I'm reading!"
Reading your blog gives me some insight into some of the larger issues that a chair must deal with. I don't think anyone really records this info, or at least, I've never come across it. I would imagine this would make a fascinating article, chronicling not only how a new chair works to see some change in a dept, but how that work changes him as well.
looking forward to some spring entries!
marlen