RIT Council of Chairs

RIT’s Council of Chairs (CoC) aims to equip department heads, chairs, and directors across academic units with effective tools and knowledge to advance RIT’s education mission. This is achieved through experience sharing among peers as well as transparent, bidirectional communication with senior leadership at RIT.

With the committed support from the Provost’s Office, the CoC will provide the following opportunities for and by the CoC members:

  • Professional and leadership development for department heads, chairs, and directors.
  • Provide constructive suggestions to the Office of the Provost and other units on campus that affect faculty and academic operations.
  • Timely and bidirectional communication of university direction and policy changes.
  • Networking and best practice sharing among peers.

Composition

The CoC is composed of those who are responsible for faculty evaluation, program and curriculum oversight, and budget responsibilities. The CoC members may suggest agenda items for discussion during CoC meetings, are highly encouraged to participate in all CoC meetings, and eligible to serve on the Steering Committee. The CoC may invite others on campus to join CoC meetings as appropriate.

CoC Steering Committee

The CoC Steering Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of the CoC meetings, transparent communication with the CoC members, and timely consultation to the Provost Office. The CoC Steering Committee members are appointed by the deans. The Office of the Provost may designate additional representatives, including a collegiate dean, to participate in the CoC Steering Committee meetings. The Office of the Provost provides staff support to assist the CoC Steering Committee in planning and operationalizing the CoC meetings.

In the last CoC Steering Committee meeting of each academic year, the Steering Committee members shall elect the chair of the Steering Committee among those who will serve in the subsequent academic year. The Steering Committee Chair is responsible for convening the Steering Committee meetings and setting the agenda to facilitate discussions, with the support from the Office of the Provost. Current members of the Council of Chairs Steering Committee include:

Dennis Andrejko

Associate Professor
585-475-2405

Doreen Edwards

Dean, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
585-475-6361

Joshua Faber

School Head
585-475-5115

Sean Hansen

Department Chair
585-475-3974

James Lee

Department Chair
585-475-2899

Mark Pfuntner

Department Chair
585-286-4640

Elizabeth Ruder

School Head, Wegmans School for Health and Nutrition
585-475-2402

David Schwartz

Director of the School of Interactive Games and Media
585-475-2763

Christye Sisson

School Director and Gannett Chair
585-475-7197

Format and Agenda for CoC Meetings

The CoC will meet regularly each semester. Each meeting will be scheduled for one and a half hours. The CoC Steering Committee shall solicit topics of interest from the CoC members to serve the purpose of the CoC and to address pressing issues. Additional workshops or retreats may be held outside of the regular CoC meetings as needed in coordination with the Office of the Provost.

2024 - 2025 Council of Chairs Committee Meeting Schedule

All meetings will take place at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm at the Campus Center in the Bamboo Rooms (CPC 2610/2650).

September 11, 2024
2:00 – 3:30 pm

October 9, 2024
2:00 – 3:30 pm

November 13, 2024
2:00 – 3:30 pm

December 11, 2024
2:00 – 3:30 pm

January 15, 2025
2:00 – 3:30 pm

February 12, 2025
2:00 – 3:30 pm

March 19, 2025
2:00 – 3:30 pm

April 9, 2025
2:00 – 3:30 pm

*Interpreters have been requested.

Past agenda items have included discussions on enrollment management strategies, department head/chair/director roles, responsibilities and authority, greatest opportunities, most pressing problems and what department heads/chairs/directors can do about them, faculty evaluation, and RIT’s strategic plan as well as discussions on RIT business practices and policy and opportunities for professional development for department heads/chairs/directors. Please click here for further information on past meetings and to view past presentations.

Documents from Past Meetings

Documents from past Council of Chairs meetings can be found here.

Contact

For more information, please contact any member of the CoC Steering Committee or academicaffairs@rit.edu.