As a Head of Department, What things I need to do to make my faculty happier?

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I am HoD for a department with over 30 members. The dept is socially inactive with only one or two social gatherings per academic year. No politics or "serious personal issues" among members. Just teaching while doing some research. I got a green light from (very) top management to make them happier. But I really don't know how!

academic-life facilities-services

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asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "one or two social gatherings per academic year": well, that's more than enough for many people like me ;-)
  – Massimo Ortolano
  18 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I am HoD for a department with over 30 members. The dept is socially inactive with only one or two social gatherings per academic year. No politics or "serious personal issues" among members. Just teaching while doing some research. I got a green light from (very) top management to make them happier. But I really don't know how!

academic-life facilities-services

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "one or two social gatherings per academic year": well, that's more than enough for many people like me ;-)
  – Massimo Ortolano
  18 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I am HoD for a department with over 30 members. The dept is socially inactive with only one or two social gatherings per academic year. No politics or "serious personal issues" among members. Just teaching while doing some research. I got a green light from (very) top management to make them happier. But I really don't know how!

academic-life facilities-services

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

I am HoD for a department with over 30 members. The dept is socially inactive with only one or two social gatherings per academic year. No politics or "serious personal issues" among members. Just teaching while doing some research. I got a green light from (very) top management to make them happier. But I really don't know how!

academic-life facilities-services

academic-life facilities-services

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

asked 1 hour ago

seteropere

8,85333579

8,85333579

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "one or two social gatherings per academic year": well, that's more than enough for many people like me ;-)
  – Massimo Ortolano
  18 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "one or two social gatherings per academic year": well, that's more than enough for many people like me ;-)
  – Massimo Ortolano
  18 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

"one or two social gatherings per academic year": well, that's more than enough for many people like me ;-)
– Massimo Ortolano
18 mins ago

"one or two social gatherings per academic year": well, that's more than enough for many people like me ;-)
– Massimo Ortolano
18 mins ago

add a comment | 

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

Socially inactive does not mean unhappy. If the department has already obtained

No politics or "serious personal issues" among members.

Then you are doing pretty well. If the green light is to spend money on social activities, you do not want to rock the boat. Would your faculty want you to be the ultimate decider or would they want a committee. I would probably suggest handing off the responsibility, but only if you can find one or two faculty members who would take the lead.

share|improve this answer

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

It might be uncommon, but just ask them.

You could use a basic questionaire if you want to do it anonymously, or you could talk to everyone in person.

Just showing some activity does not help as long as you are having no idea about the needs and desires of your faculty members.

share|improve this answer

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

First, they won't always be happy, so don't set your expectations at that level. My suggestions will be simple.

Listen to them. Always. Assume that they know their own needs.

Advocate for them with the administration when necessary. This is most important in lean times when they occur and when conflicts arise.

Help them find the necessary resources to do their jobs well. This doesn't mean just money. Sometimes it is bringing in guests, for example. It might involve clerical or TA support. Lots of small things that add up.

Make sure that your faculty evaluation system is sensible and fair. Make it possible for every member to succeed, mostly on their own terms, taking institutional needs into account. Not everyone needs to be the same.

Make sure that student complaints against faculty are handled in a sensible and fair (to everyone) manner.

Find a place for a table and a coffee/tea pot where people can just talk. Best if it has a whiteboard adjacent to it. Make it accessible.

Help them stay healthy. Encourage some activity if they are too tied to their desks. Almost anything will do, even just walking. There are probably athletic facilities available to them.

Keep necessary meetings short. Distribute needed materials beforehand when possible.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 mins ago

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

add a comment | 

up vote
-2
down vote

Double all of their salaries 💸

Free donuts on Monday mornings 🍩

Pizza Fridays 🍕

Ice cream socials 🍦

Subsidized housing 🏡

share|improve this answer

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
  – GEdgar
  35 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

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4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

Socially inactive does not mean unhappy. If the department has already obtained

No politics or "serious personal issues" among members.

Then you are doing pretty well. If the green light is to spend money on social activities, you do not want to rock the boat. Would your faculty want you to be the ultimate decider or would they want a committee. I would probably suggest handing off the responsibility, but only if you can find one or two faculty members who would take the lead.

share|improve this answer

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

Socially inactive does not mean unhappy. If the department has already obtained

No politics or "serious personal issues" among members.

Then you are doing pretty well. If the green light is to spend money on social activities, you do not want to rock the boat. Would your faculty want you to be the ultimate decider or would they want a committee. I would probably suggest handing off the responsibility, but only if you can find one or two faculty members who would take the lead.

share|improve this answer

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

Socially inactive does not mean unhappy. If the department has already obtained

No politics or "serious personal issues" among members.

Then you are doing pretty well. If the green light is to spend money on social activities, you do not want to rock the boat. Would your faculty want you to be the ultimate decider or would they want a committee. I would probably suggest handing off the responsibility, but only if you can find one or two faculty members who would take the lead.

share|improve this answer

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

Socially inactive does not mean unhappy. If the department has already obtained

No politics or "serious personal issues" among members.

Then you are doing pretty well. If the green light is to spend money on social activities, you do not want to rock the boat. Would your faculty want you to be the ultimate decider or would they want a committee. I would probably suggest handing off the responsibility, but only if you can find one or two faculty members who would take the lead.

share|improve this answer

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

answered 39 mins ago

StrongBad♦

78.7k21200396

78.7k21200396

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

It might be uncommon, but just ask them.

You could use a basic questionaire if you want to do it anonymously, or you could talk to everyone in person.

Just showing some activity does not help as long as you are having no idea about the needs and desires of your faculty members.

share|improve this answer

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

It might be uncommon, but just ask them.

You could use a basic questionaire if you want to do it anonymously, or you could talk to everyone in person.

Just showing some activity does not help as long as you are having no idea about the needs and desires of your faculty members.

share|improve this answer

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

It might be uncommon, but just ask them.

You could use a basic questionaire if you want to do it anonymously, or you could talk to everyone in person.

Just showing some activity does not help as long as you are having no idea about the needs and desires of your faculty members.

share|improve this answer

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

It might be uncommon, but just ask them.

You could use a basic questionaire if you want to do it anonymously, or you could talk to everyone in person.

Just showing some activity does not help as long as you are having no idea about the needs and desires of your faculty members.

share|improve this answer

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

answered 49 mins ago

OBu

6,90911738

6,90911738

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

First, they won't always be happy, so don't set your expectations at that level. My suggestions will be simple.

Listen to them. Always. Assume that they know their own needs.

Advocate for them with the administration when necessary. This is most important in lean times when they occur and when conflicts arise.

Help them find the necessary resources to do their jobs well. This doesn't mean just money. Sometimes it is bringing in guests, for example. It might involve clerical or TA support. Lots of small things that add up.

Make sure that your faculty evaluation system is sensible and fair. Make it possible for every member to succeed, mostly on their own terms, taking institutional needs into account. Not everyone needs to be the same.

Make sure that student complaints against faculty are handled in a sensible and fair (to everyone) manner.

Find a place for a table and a coffee/tea pot where people can just talk. Best if it has a whiteboard adjacent to it. Make it accessible.

Help them stay healthy. Encourage some activity if they are too tied to their desks. Almost anything will do, even just walking. There are probably athletic facilities available to them.

Keep necessary meetings short. Distribute needed materials beforehand when possible.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 mins ago

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

First, they won't always be happy, so don't set your expectations at that level. My suggestions will be simple.

Listen to them. Always. Assume that they know their own needs.

Advocate for them with the administration when necessary. This is most important in lean times when they occur and when conflicts arise.

Help them find the necessary resources to do their jobs well. This doesn't mean just money. Sometimes it is bringing in guests, for example. It might involve clerical or TA support. Lots of small things that add up.

Make sure that your faculty evaluation system is sensible and fair. Make it possible for every member to succeed, mostly on their own terms, taking institutional needs into account. Not everyone needs to be the same.

Make sure that student complaints against faculty are handled in a sensible and fair (to everyone) manner.

Find a place for a table and a coffee/tea pot where people can just talk. Best if it has a whiteboard adjacent to it. Make it accessible.

Help them stay healthy. Encourage some activity if they are too tied to their desks. Almost anything will do, even just walking. There are probably athletic facilities available to them.

Keep necessary meetings short. Distribute needed materials beforehand when possible.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 mins ago

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

First, they won't always be happy, so don't set your expectations at that level. My suggestions will be simple.

Listen to them. Always. Assume that they know their own needs.

Advocate for them with the administration when necessary. This is most important in lean times when they occur and when conflicts arise.

Help them find the necessary resources to do their jobs well. This doesn't mean just money. Sometimes it is bringing in guests, for example. It might involve clerical or TA support. Lots of small things that add up.

Make sure that your faculty evaluation system is sensible and fair. Make it possible for every member to succeed, mostly on their own terms, taking institutional needs into account. Not everyone needs to be the same.

Make sure that student complaints against faculty are handled in a sensible and fair (to everyone) manner.

Find a place for a table and a coffee/tea pot where people can just talk. Best if it has a whiteboard adjacent to it. Make it accessible.

Help them stay healthy. Encourage some activity if they are too tied to their desks. Almost anything will do, even just walking. There are probably athletic facilities available to them.

Keep necessary meetings short. Distribute needed materials beforehand when possible.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 mins ago

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

First, they won't always be happy, so don't set your expectations at that level. My suggestions will be simple.

Listen to them. Always. Assume that they know their own needs.

Advocate for them with the administration when necessary. This is most important in lean times when they occur and when conflicts arise.

Help them find the necessary resources to do their jobs well. This doesn't mean just money. Sometimes it is bringing in guests, for example. It might involve clerical or TA support. Lots of small things that add up.

Make sure that your faculty evaluation system is sensible and fair. Make it possible for every member to succeed, mostly on their own terms, taking institutional needs into account. Not everyone needs to be the same.

Make sure that student complaints against faculty are handled in a sensible and fair (to everyone) manner.

Find a place for a table and a coffee/tea pot where people can just talk. Best if it has a whiteboard adjacent to it. Make it accessible.

Help them stay healthy. Encourage some activity if they are too tied to their desks. Almost anything will do, even just walking. There are probably athletic facilities available to them.

Keep necessary meetings short. Distribute needed materials beforehand when possible.

share|improve this answer

edited 5 mins ago

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited 5 mins ago

edited 5 mins ago

edited 5 mins ago

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

answered 50 mins ago

Buffy

19.4k661107

19.4k661107

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
-2
down vote

Double all of their salaries 💸

Free donuts on Monday mornings 🍩

Pizza Fridays 🍕

Ice cream socials 🍦

Subsidized housing 🏡

share|improve this answer

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
  – GEdgar
  35 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-2
down vote

Double all of their salaries 💸

Free donuts on Monday mornings 🍩

Pizza Fridays 🍕

Ice cream socials 🍦

Subsidized housing 🏡

share|improve this answer

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
  – GEdgar
  35 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
-2
down vote

up vote
-2
down vote

Double all of their salaries 💸

Free donuts on Monday mornings 🍩

Pizza Fridays 🍕

Ice cream socials 🍦

Subsidized housing 🏡

share|improve this answer

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

Double all of their salaries 💸

Free donuts on Monday mornings 🍩

Pizza Fridays 🍕

Ice cream socials 🍦

Subsidized housing 🏡

share|improve this answer

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

answered 53 mins ago

Jalapeno Nachos

1,0603522

1,0603522

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
  – GEdgar
  35 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
  – GEdgar
  35 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

3

3

I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
– GEdgar
35 mins ago

I agree. The best way to make them happier: give them more money and less work. Now all you have to do is convince the upper administration of that. Unfortunately, this type of forum is not kind to joke answers.
– GEdgar
35 mins ago

add a comment | 

 

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