Quoting Steve Edwards <killshot91@comcast.net>:

  

Is there a better way to do what I'm trying to do?
    

How about using Organic Groups[1] and have each department be a group.  
There are a number of modules[2] just for Organic Groups.

[1] http://drupal.org/project/og
[2] http://drupal.org/project/Modules/category/90

Earnie -- http://for-my-kids.com/
-- http://give-me-an-offer.com/