Department chairs/school deans are appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Provost after consultation with the department/school and the college dean. Normally, these appointments are for a three-year term. Although a chair/school dean is not prohibited from serving more than one term, the system has a strong bias toward rotating the chair/school dean assignment.

Individuals without an earned doctorate may be appointed to chair/school dean assignments, but are normally designated as "acting" chair/school dean, with a one-year term of appointment. Department chairs/school deans receive load credit for administrative duties on the following basis: One-half unit for each 16 units of instruction by faculty in the department/school, with no department chairs/school dean receiving less than three units or more than eight units.

Regular meetings of the department chairs/school deans are conducted by the Provost for purposes of information and coordination.