OK, I need to get some input from my learned colleagues. What is the difference between a university ‘head’ and ‘chair’ of an academic unit? Are we just talking semantics or is there a real difference between the two? I’d like your input and please indicate whether you are a head or a chair.
What is the Difference
About Mark J Kittleson
Mark J. Kittleson is in his 37th year as a health educator, having spent over 21 years at Southern Illinois University and having been at New Mexico State University since January 2011. Dr. Kittleson is best known for his development and management of the HEDIR Discussion group, as well as his efforts to help the profession of health education utilize technology.5 Responses to What is the Difference
Follow Us!
Kelly House
rodneybbowden
donchaney
bethchaney
billcissell
karllarson
Jody Early
Joan Cowdery
I'm a chair (one day I hope to be a table) but I think it's just a matter of what an institution calls the person who leads an academic unit.
We could also ask about director and coordinator. Being part of a DEPT with 3 programs/majors, the Dept "head" is called a Chair. The major "heads" are called coordinators. Personally, I think I am the chair and the coordinator of the Community Health major.
As a follow up to your follow up, is the term HEAD used in a formal way, i.e., as title?
Dr. MK, HEAD
Graduate Program
or
Dr. MK, CHAIR or DEAN or XXXX
Graduate Program
I think I "hear" the term "He is head of the xxx program" but the person has a title that is chair, dean, etc.
Hi Billie…you're right…what is the difference between director and coordinator. In your case I think it's more clear. Your academic boss is the 'chair'…you're the coordinator of the CH program. You are probably involved with mostly programmatic issues, whereas the chair is involved with personnel issues as well. Ultimately the Department 'Chair' is the 'administrator'. I'm just curious as to why some are called Chairs and other are called Heads.
Confusing isn't it….
To answer your question I think YES…there are academic units in colleges where the 'big cheese' title is Head (not chair). The question is why…just semantics or is there a real difference? Somebody told me the Head had different responsibilities–they were more under the wing of the Dean whereas the Chair is more a faculty representative.