This paper first analyzes the evolution of college(department)leadership system since the founding of new China: from department chair responsibility system, department-commission responsibility system under the leadership of department general party committee, then department-commission responsibility system supervised by department general party committee, revolutionary committee responsibility system, department chair responsibility system under the leadership of department general party committee to the current co-responsibility system by both party and administration.This paper then analyzes the connotation of co-responsibility system by both party and administrations in college(department) and points out that party and administration co-responsibility system conforms to China’s national conditions and the specific situation of universities, sets up the joint responsibility for the leading bodies of the Party and administration in the development, embodies the characteristics of collective leadership, properly solves the problem of vagueness of subject and responsibility in work, and forms an organically integrated leadership system in directing the party’s work and professional work. This paper finally proposes three basic requirements in implementing the party and administration co-responsibility system in colleges (departments): properly dealing with the relationship between party secretary and dean of the college, strengthening the institutional construction on the basis of democratic centralism and giving full play to the principal roles of teachers in running higher education.