Academic Organization and Roles of Academic Officers

The President of the University is the chief administrative officer of the University and has the responsibility for the appointment of the Provost and Vice Presidents, and with the Provost for the apointment of Vice Provosts, Deans, and Department Chairpersons. The President represents the University and is its executive agent empowered with general supervision of the affairs of the University.

The Provost is the chief executive officer next in authority to the President. The Provost's responsibilities include the supervision of the academic programs of the entire University and the development and administration of the University academic budget. In addition to the Deans of the various colleges, he or she is assisted by the Vice Provost for Academic and International Programs, Vice Provost for Research, Assistant Provost for Student Services and University Registrar, Assistant Provost for Academic Budget Planning, and Assistant Provost for Student Diversity and Success.

The Vice Provost for Academic and International Programs coordinates University-wide academic functions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He or she is assisted by Faculty Director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Faculty Director of the Center for International Studies, Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies and Assistant Provost for Professional and Continuing Studies.

The Vice Provost for Research coordinates the identification, application and support for research activities by faculty from government and non-government sponsors and the stewardship of research funds and equipment. He or she is assisted by the Associate Provost for Research.

The Assistant Provost for Student Services and University Registrar is responsible for the overall administrative management and program development in undergraduate admissions, financial aid, student records, course scheduling and registration, and enrollment and student information.

The Assistant Provost for Academic Budget Planning provides support to the Provost in the development and management of the University’s academic budget.

The Assistant Provost for Student Diversity and Success is responsible for the development and implementation of University-wide policies and inititiatives to enhance the enrollment and success of diverse undergraduate and graduate students.

The Deans of the Colleges have responsibilities for supervising and correlating the research, instructional, and educational activities of the colleges. The Deans have primary responsibility for the curricula of the college, for faculty recruitment within the college, for the assignment of duties for all personnel within the college and for the quality of service rendered by those individuals, and they recommend to the Provost on all salary increases, promotions, and on all appointments, non-reappointments and terminations within the college. In addition, the Deans have primary responsibility for allocations of funds within the college, subject to review by the Provost. College Deans are assisted by Associate and Assistant Deans, Department Chairpersons, Academic Program Directors, and Research and Public Service Center/Institute Directors.

Associate and Assistant Deans provide support to the Deans in various capacities including academic, personnel, budgetary and student issues.

Department Chairpersons (and School Directors) serve both as the chief representative of the department (School) within the institution and as a departmental administrator, responsible for communicating and administering policies and procedures of the University and for developing and organizing courses of study. Together with the dean and provost, the chairperson is charged with the recruiting and professional development of staff. Chairpersons make recommendations to the dean for faculty appointments, promotions, leaves of absence, tenure, salary increases and terminations of service. The chairperson will be expected to consult in a formalized way with the appropriate departmental body on matters of faculty status. The chairperson should also establish appropriate vehicles for obtaining student opinion on curricular matters.

Department chairpersons (and School Directors) are appointed by the President and Provost for five-year terms upon the recommendation of the college dean. These appointments are renewable for like periods. The advice of a majority of the faculty, by a formal vote of the faculty, within the department or school is required for the appointment or reappointment of the chairperson or school director. The vote of the faculty must be communicated to the dean of the college and by the dean to the Provost upon the occasion of any recommendation for appointment or reappointment. Chairpersons are renewed annually by the college dean and serve at the pleasure of the President, the Provost and the Dean. Therefore, the President and Provost have the authority to replace a department chairperson at any time after consultation with the appropriate dean, if such action is in the best interests of the department or the University. Tenure as a faculty member is a separate right. (Revised 5/08 Provost, AAUP, and Faculty Senate.)

The chairperson is reviewed shortly before the expiration of his or her term, or sooner under special circumstances. A copy of the policy on chairperson review is available from the dean of each college.

In addition, there are academic units including centers and institutes that are headed by academic Directors.