Doc. T96-096, as amended
Passed by the Board of Trustees on August 7, 1996
Latest revision: October 9, 1996
I. Definitions
As used in this policy, the following words shall have the following meaning:
Center or Institute - An organizational unit within one or more campuses or the President's Office created to implement academic and training programs, clinical or community service, or research activities that cannot ordinarily be accommodated within existing departmental structures. Entities called "centers" whose purpose is to provide services to the University community (including day care centers, learning centers, computer centers and other such entities as may be so designated by the Chancellor of each campus) shall not be considered Centers or Institutes for the purposes of this policy.
Further, an Institute is a distinct and free-standing unit of substantial size. Institutes may engage in a wide variety of research, public service, and instructional activities, typically in areas of broad concern. Institutes are frequently interdisciplinary and embrace ideas and personnel from various departments, colleges, and schools. A Center is ordinarily a subordinate unit within an existing department, school, college, or institute; interdisciplinary centers may, however, report to the Provost or Chancellor. Centers should make a significant contribution to the major academic unit of which they are a part.
II. Campus Authority for Centers and Institutes
Each campus shall have policies and procedures governing the definition, establishment, review, administration and termination of Centers and Institutes. Every Center or Institute, whether free-standing units or sub-units of schools, colleges, departments or other organizational units, and regardless of its source of funding, shall be included within the purview of campus policies. The exceptional use of the name center or institute by campus entities that do not conform to the definition of Center or Institute set forth above shall be addressed in each campus policy. Campus policies must be approved by the President of the university. The President shall have the authority to establish, review, and terminate Centers and Institutes that are affiliated with the President's Office.
III. Creation and Approval of Centers and Institutes
Campus approval of new Centers and Institutes shall be based, at a minimum, on the appropriateness of the center or institute to the mission and goals of the campus, and adequacy of resources, including capital investment.
The establishment of a new center or institute shall require the approval of the President upon recommendation of the campus Chancellor.
IV. Review of Centers and Institutes
All campus policies shall provide for the review of Centers and Institutes at least every five years. Centers and Institutes shall be evaluated on their success in meeting their own goals and objectives as well as their substantive contribution to the mission of the campus. Once a Center or Institute has been reviewed, a recommendation to continue said Center or Institute must be approved by the President upon recommendation of the campus Chancellor.
V. Termination
Campus policies governing Centers and Institutes shall include appropriate mechanisms and criteria for the termination of said units.
Doc. T96-096, as amended | Policy on Centers and Institutes
Passed by the Board of Trustees on August 7, 1996
Revised:
October 9, 1996