Facilitating a Collegial Department in Higher Education

Written for department chairs and deans, this well-researched resource offers a practical reference for how to create and sustain a more civil and harmonious departmental culture. Filled with useful information, including relevant case law, the book gives readers what they need to know to enhance the climate, culture, and collegiality in an academic department, as well as the university.

Praise for Facilitating a Collegial Department in Higher Education

"Bob Cipriano has provided a book that addresses department civility¿ a critical, ongoing problem in higher education. The book is rich in examples, best practices, and strategies for dealing with individuals as well as ways to build collegial departments.... Not only is the book packed with information, the author also has an engaging writing style and wit."
¿DANIEL W. WHEELER, higher education consultant; professor emeritus and former head, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

"Pull out a fresh highlighter before opening this book! Be prepared to immediately collect practical, usable tools for building civility in your department from an experienced chair and successful workshop presenter."
¿SHARON BROOKSHIRE, director of conferences, Division of Continuing Education, Kansas State University

"Department chairs' greatest job dissatisfaction emanates from colleagues in conflict. Bob Cipriano teaches and guides us, first how to deal with toxic colleagues and then how to turn your department into a collegial environment."
¿WALTER GMELCH, dean, School of Education, University of San Francisco

ROBERT E. CIPRIANO is professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Southern Connecticut State University and is a recognized expert on collegiality, conflict management, and communication in higher education. He has conducted research on the topic of collegiality and conflict management and writes, presents, and consults frequently with a variety of institutions.

Foreword by Jeffrey L. Buller vii

Introduction 1

1. Collegiality and Civility in Higher Education 5

2. Respectful Codes and Hiring for Collegiality 33

3. Strategies for Promoting Collegiality 53

4. Managing Conflict Within the Department 73

5. University-Wide Responsibilities in Promoting a Collegial Campus 99

6. Structural Realignment, Budgetary Support, and Cyberbullying 117
Ellen R. Beatty

7. Case Law Regarding Collegiality in Higher Education 153

Conclusion 177

Appendix: A Four-Year Study of Department Chairs 181

References 189

Acknowledgments 195

The Author 197

Index 199