POLICY GUIDELINES FOR THE FORMATION OF INSTITUTES AND CENTERS
FAM 570
Faculty Affairs Committee
April 1996
1. PREAMBLE:
Institutes and Centers have become in recent years the principal instruments used by a university community to organize research, curricula programs and service to the community which transcend the boundaries of traditional academic departments. They are characterized by their flexible goals and structure, specific functions, and multidisciplinary nature. As long as the activities undertaken are consistent with the overall mission of the University, institutes and centers offer a highly flexible and low-risk opportunity to increase the institution's capacity to provide relevant, timely, and cost-effective research to the surrounding community.
2. DEFINITIONS:
An "institute" represents a more complex, extensive, and enduring organization. It typically represents a substantial investment by the University in a particular area of research and service. Some of its functions may include data gathering, opinion polls, policy studies and analyses, the dissemination of research findings, the sponsoring of conferences, etc. Normally institutes deal with issues of concern to, and involve faculty from, two or more schools.
A "center" represents a more limited organization in terms of scope and scale of activities. It requires modest institutional support and its disciplinary/problem/issue boundaries are quite specific. Some of its functions may include sponsoring, coordinating and promoting the research of faculty and students from several departments or schools; coordinating interdisciplinary curricula programs; and forming a locus for grant proposals. Normally centers deal with issues of concern to, and involve faculty from, departments within one school.
3. APPROVAL PROCESS FOR INSTITUTES:
Any group of faculty members in conjunction with their respective department chair(s) and School Dean(s) may propose to the Vice President for Academic Affairs the formation of an institute, using the following procedures:
A. Proposals shall include:
1. A statement of purpose and justification. Specifically, what significant local, regional or national contribution the institute intends to make. 2. Goals and objectives. Methodology and activities. Membership, organizational structure, and governance plan. 5. Funding requirements (from University sources). While it is expected that Institutes will eventually become self sufficient, the University may provide initial support in the form of release time, office space, equipment, staff support, etc. 6. Plan for external funding.
B. Proposals for Institutes shall be submitted to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, reviewed by the Educational Policy and Resources Committee and recommendations shall be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
C. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall review the proposals along with the recommendations from the Educational Policy and Resources Committee and, in consultation with the appropriate School Deans, make recommendations to the President on the approval or disapproval of the proposed institute.
4. APPROVAL PROCESS FOR CENTERS:
A group of faculty members in conjunction with their respective department chair(s) may propose to the School Dean(s) the formation of a center, using the following procedures:
A. Proposals shall include:
1. A statement of purpose and justification. 2. Goals and objectives. 3. Activities planned. 4. Membership, organizational structure, and governance plan. 5. Funding requirements (from School and/or University sources). 6. Plan for external funding, if any.
B. Proposals for Centers shall be submitted to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, reviewed by the Educational Policy and Resources Committee and recommendations shall be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
C. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall review the proposals along with the recommendations from the Educational Policy and Resources Committee and, in consultation with the appropriate School Dean, make recommendation to the President on the approval or disapproval of the proposed centers.
5. REPORTS:
In May of each academic year, Institute and Center directors shall file a report with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and the School Dean(s) respectively. A copy of the report shall be filed with the Educational Policy and Resources Committee.
A. Reports shall include the following:
1. The director's statement of accomplishments. 2. A detailed description of present and projected activities. A budget statement, including clear indication as to how university funding was expended. A budget plan for the following academic year. Anticipated grant-development activities. 6. Relevant appendices (applicable only to institutes), proposed abstracts, project budgets, contracts or letters of commitments, publications, etc.
6. REVIEW:
At the end of every third year of an institute's or center's life, or upon the special request of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, a University ad hoc committee shall conduct a comprehensive review and prepare a report.
A. This review shall consist of an evaluation of:
1. The success of the center or institute in meeting the goals and objectives outlined in the original plan as approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the President. 2. The use of all internal university support 3. The success in obtaining external support. The operation of an appropriate and approved governance mechanism. The access faculty have to membership in the centers and institutes.
1. Two faculty representative from the Educational Policy and Resources Committee. 2. An unrelated off-campus reviewer to be selected by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee from a list submitted by the directors of the institute or centers. 3. The Associate Vice President for Academic Programs or Personnel. 4. A faculty member selected by the Senate Executive Committee.
C. The report of the ad hoc committee shall be submitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research who shall review it. The report, along with any comments or recommendations from the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, shall be forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Faculty Senate. The Senate shall receive the report as an information item. Senate consideration of any recommendations arising from the report shall be handled as action items. Based on this review, the President or Vice President, as appropriate, shall determine the continuation or termination of an Institute or Center.
Approved by the Faculty
Senate
Teresa Morris, Chair 5/14/96
Reviewed by the Council of Academic Deans
Louis Fernandez, Vice President 5/29/96
Academic Affairs
Approved by the President
Anthony H. Evans 5/30/96
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