[newzjunkey]

I wouldn't make that much of it. First off, "department head" could just mean the guy who missed the most faculty meetings (I heard that from an actual dept. head) and may well be rotated among the faculty.

[radiohead]

"department head" could just mean the guy who missed the most faculty meetings

LOL. I think they're joking about that at my school, but they do say you could wind up being 'volunteered' for the more odious work if you aren't at a faculty meeting.