Steven Daniels, chair of the physics department, taught at Eastern for 14 years before being promoted.

He said he enjoys interacting with students, something he is only able do occasionally as chair, and for that reason prefers teaching.

“I like being a teacher. That is the best part, because I like the students. I find it challenging and enjoyable to prepare different subjects,” Daniels said. “Every day is different for a teacher, and I enjoy that variety, and I like the research part of being a teacher too.”

While department chairs are in charge of the needs of students, faculty teachers are mainly in charge of the learning aspect.

The Administrative Role and Responsibilities section of the Department Chair Policy No. 29 requires department chairs to be responsible for 13 norms that will maintain a suitable learning environment and an opportunity for improvement.

Department chairs serve as medium of communication between students, faculty and administration. As Daniels explained, his duties are not limited to teaching.

“The department chair is kind of the cross between the teachers and administration,” Daniels said. “I’m responsible to the administration and for the operation of the department to run smoothly, but I still have some teaching responsibilities also.”

Daniels is looking forward to improving the physics department.

“My goal is to make the department grow. I’m trying to build the physics department up; to get us some more visibility within the university and within the United States,” Daniels said.

Mary Mattingly, office manager of the physics department, has only worked with Daniels for approximately four weeks. During that time, she has noticed that a positive attitude is one of Daniels’ best qualities.

“It’s hard to say, it has been four weeks but he is very positive and a happy person,” Mattingly said.

Mattingly added that being a department chair is more challenging than just being a teacher since there are more duties.

“A lot of times department chairs still teach so they are dealing with students and faculty problems,” she said.

Glenn Hild, department chair of the art department, said that the job consists in representing the needs and goals of his department and administration.

“Department chairs represent the needs of the department, faculty and students to the upper administration and represents the upper administrations goals and plans for the university to the faculty,” Hild said.

In the art department, Hild wants to make the transition of the Bachelors degree program as smooth as possible.

“The department will begin offering a Bachelors of Fine Art (BFA) degree, I want to make sure the transition to this degree program for both students and faculty as problem free as possible.”

Sue Rardin, office administrator of the Art Department, has work with Hild since 1995 and she said that one of his best qualities is his sense of responsibility.

“Department Chair Hild is very responsible and loyal to the department,” she said.

Daniels said being a department chair is not necessarily more stressful but more busy.

“I come in to work with one two or maybe three things that I just have to get done that day and other people come in and give me other things that I have to do and sometimes I don’t even get to the things that I wanted to do,” Daniels said.

Pablo Rodriguez can be reached at 591-7942 or jprodriguez@eiu.edu.