A survey was conducted of 114 (a 62.6% response rate) academic deans of predominantly IIA institutions (Carnegie Classification) to gather information concerning the equitable and fair treatment of department heads at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The survey revealed that the duties of department heads included teaching/research; faculty recruitment, development, evaluation, and assignment of duties; student recruitment, advising, record keeping, and recognition; curriculum development; budgeting; and facilities maintenance and planning. Almost 70 percent of the institutions provided a stipend for their department heads, stipends ranged from $300 to $5,000 per academic year, and most stipends were based on department size. There was little distinction between treatment of department heads in the professional and the liberal arts colleges within the same university. Ninety percent of respondents offered their department heads a teaching load reduction, generally one course per semester. Some institutions paid their department heads a higher salary from the outset, in place of stipends or load reductions. Other types of compensation provided to department heads included reserved parking, release from committee service, extra travel funds, and additional merit increase in salary. Components of the department head policy implemented by Butler University are outlined. (JDD)