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OHR 2008-022 - Assistant to the Chair Title Availability

Effective April 1, 2008, academic departments are authorized to utilize the classified title of Assistant to the Chair.  This additional administrative title is to more appropriately classify those who provide direct support to the Chair of a department. 

It is important to note that the title of Assistant to the Chair is:

• A series of classified job titles that will appear in the Classified Employee Pay Plan.

• Available only for academic departments.

• Limited to one per department.

The determination by each department whether or not to use the Assistant to the Chair title is permissive.  If the size and structure of the department are such that there is sufficient business rationale to utilize the title, then the department may elect to do so.  However, if the department determines that use of the Assistant to the Chair title is not in it’s best interest at this time, it may elect not to utilize the title.  The Assistant to the Chair title will remain an option for departments whether or not it is used now or at a later time.

There are a total of five Assistant to the Chair titles.  Assistant to the Chair V is reserved for the largest and most complex departments at the Health Science Center while the I level is reserved for the smaller departments.  Since the Assistant to the Chair titles are classified, a salary range has been assigned to each level.  The size and complexity of the department will determine not only the level of the title assigned, but also the salary range.

To exercise its permissive authority to add the Assistant to the Chair title, a department should complete and submit a Position Description Questionnaire for the new title to the Office of Human Resources.  It will be the responsibility of the compensation team to review and assess each request and assign the appropriate title level and salary rate. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the compensation team should you have any questions concerning this matter.