Organization of Chairs, Heads, and Directors (OCHAD)
Organization of Chairs, Heads, and Directors (OCHAD)
OCHAD was established in the early 1970's and was comprised of around 60 Department Chairs and Directors of Institutes and Schools at WMU.
2021-22 OCHAD Executive Board Meetings
Time: 11:45am - 1:00pm
9/28: Brown Hall
10/19: Brown Hall
11/16: Brown Hall
12/14: Brown Hall, (time change: 12:30 - 2:00pm)
1/18: Sangren Hall
2/22: Sangren Hall
3/22: Sangren Hall
4/19: Sangren Hall, (time change: 12:30 - 2:00pm)
2021-2022 General OCHAD Meetings (attached to Academic Forum)
Wednesday, September 22 , 4:00pm
Wednesday, November 17, 4:00pm
Wednesday, January 19, 4:00pm
Wednesday, March 23, 4:00pm
OCHAD's mission:
- Support the mission of WMU through the coordination of the chairs and directors across the university
- Provide a forum for the discussion of issues affecting chairs and directors
- Represent chairs and directors (who are not bargaining unit members) to the administration
- Mentor and provide support for chairs and directors
General membership OCHAD meetings occur bi-anually and as needed. Meetings include updates on OCHAD initiatives, discussions of issues of importance to Chairs and Directors, and setting the agenda for the OCHAD Executive Board.
The OCHAD Executive Board consists of one elected representative from each college save for the College of Arts and Sciences, which has three representatives from the areas of social science, humanities, and science/mathematics. The executive board meets regularly to conduct business, discuss issues and initiatives that emanate from Chairs and Directors as well as from the President and the Provost. The executive board also meets with the Deans, Provost, and/or the President as appropriate.
OCHAD Members 2021-22
Past Issues Tackled by OCHAD
1. Regular meetings of the executive board with the Provost's Council; input into Academic Forum format and content
2. University-wide issues:
- University budget: communication
- Student retention and success
- Student complaints: ensure chain of command followed
- Chair sabbaticals
- Academic program review
3. Expectations for scholarly/creative activities and support for chairs (research, travel, sabbatical leaves)
4. Chair compensation
5. Regular evaluation of Deans by chairs and chairs by Deans
6. Data on department performance - concerns about accuracy, consistency, and interpretation
7. Chair's and Director's role; policy manual under development by Provost and Deans; OCHAD has requested preview and consultation