Here is a list of key contact people.
Deans and Chairs 2018-2019
Programs, Software, Web-based systems
List of software programs and web-based tools with which you should be familiar as chair.
Advice To A New Department Chair
An article from the October 7, 2008 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Learn to use the TRAX system -- The system Baylor uses for tracking budget funds is called TRAX. The chair and anyone else in the department who will be helping to manage the budget will need a TRAX ID and TRAX training. For more information about how to get started with TRAX, click here: Getting Started.
Get a complete list of the budgets for which you are responsible -- Within the TRAX system, each separate budget fund is considered a "department" and each department is given a unique "department I.D." Thus, the chair may be responsible for several TRAX "departments." For example, in addition to the main departmental budget, the chair may also be responsible for excellence funds, endowed scholarship funds, start-up funds for particular professors, etc., each with its own TRAX I.D. number. There should be departmental records regarding these funds, and the Chair should meet with his/her KBC to make sure he/she has the complete list of funds.
Get familiar with the accounts within your budget - Each main category in your budget is designated by a set of account numbers. The main categories with which the chair should be familiar are listed below. Click on each one to learn more about how to manage that type of account.
- Personnel (9100's)
- Student wages (9200's)
- Operating expenses (9300's)
- Capital expenses (9700's) - This includes technology and equipment
- Scholarships and fellowships (9900's) - This includes tuition remission for graduate students
Check your departmental accounts regularly -- Use TRAX Reporting to check the balances in your departmental accounts at least once a month and whenever you are approving major purchases. These two TRAX reports will help you:
Use Phase II of budget prep as an opportunity to redistribute funds among accounts if needed.-- If every year you find yourself overspending in some accounts and underspending others, you may need to re-allocate the amounts you have budgeted for each account, or even ask for more money for certain accounts. Phase II of budget prep is the best time to make these kinds of changes. If the changes you want to make do not affect the total amount in your budget, you can make your reallocations through the KLX system. If you need to ask for more money in a certain account, talk to your dean or KBC.
Stay ahead of end-of-the-fiscal-year issues -- The fiscal year ends May 31. During the weeks leading up to that day there are several important financial deadlines. By staying aware of these deadlines you can avoid charging your expenses to the wrong fiscal year. Check here for important deadlines: End of Fiscal Year Procedures.