The role of department administration in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) has evolved, over the years, to include positions that must be all things to all people. Management of an academic/research department entails so much more than providing assistance and support to the Chair, faculty and students. Department administration is responsible and accountable for all aspects related to the teaching and research mission of a department, including finance, human resources, academic, research, and information technology management, while handling a myriad of other tasks as requested by the department.

Because the role of department administration is so diversified, learning to perform all of the duties required is an ongoing process, which can be, at times, overwhelming. The Chair of the department may or may not be in a position to provide guidance. At times, the administrative staff members are solely responsible for finding out what is needed and how to do it, without knowing where to go for help. Unfortunately, inadequate access to information leads to an inappropriate skill level, impacting the effectiveness and efficiency of the department. Not knowing the correct procedures to follow or how to perform them also creates financial and legal liabilities for the department, KSAS, and subsequently, to the University.

There are many resources available to help a new administrative staff; the challenge is to be able to tap into those resources. We believe that the greatest resource for new administrators and staff during the learning process (& beyond) is other, more experienced administrators and staff, who have learned their jobs over time, (often by trial & error), and through focused, formalized training. We have attempted, therefore, to pool some of the information and experience we have gained and make it accessible to others.

KASPER, the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences Pathway to Electronic Resources, is the result of many months of combined effort by members of KSAS' staff. It is our hope that KASPER contains information and resources that will prove useful to staff and faculty alike. We have attempted to identify several common critical knowledge areas where correct information is necessary in order to carry out our duties. In addition to general information about a topic, we have provided useful tools, links to other sources of information within JHU, and contacts to answer your questions.

We believe that our success as a School rests on your success in your job.