SUBJECT:  PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING CENTERS AND INSTITUTES

APPLICABILITY:  TOTAL UNIVERSITY

 DEFINITIONS

A center or institute is an internal organization with a unique mission involving research, education, or service (or a combination of these). The mission of such units must be consistent with that of the University. Accountability for these units rests with the academic officer (e.g., chair, dean or provost and vice president for academic affairs under whose general direction the center or institute functions. A center or institute housed in one department will normally report to the chair; if housed in more than one department in the same school or college, a center or institute will normally report to the dean; and, if housed in more than one college or school, such centers or institutes will normally report to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. Centers and institutes are broadly defined and may involve interdisciplinary efforts with a mission encompassing a combination of research, instruction, and service, or they can be narrower in scope and focus on instruction, research, or service in a particular discipline.

Other Entities. Departments may establish other ancillary units with a narrow scope that are not interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary, but the terms "center" or "institute" cannot appear in their titles. These units will be established by the dean with the approval of the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

PROCEDURE

New centers and institutes, once approved, will be given a three-year probationary status after which they will be reviewed for full, active status. Although activity can begin immediately after a new center or institute is approved, the time line for the three-year probationary period will begin the first day of the next fiscal year. When a center or institute is approved for active status, it will be scheduled for sunset review within five years.

The regular procedure for establishing a center or institute at the University of North Texas shall include the following steps:

1.  Faculty and others wanting to establish a center or institute in any unit within the University will submit a concept of the proposed center or institute (with the chair's approval, if applicable) to his/her dean. If the dean approves the concept, it will be delivered to the person designated to receive such proposals in the office of the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The office of the provost and vice president for academic affairs will then begin efforts to include other persons interested in similar initiatives by:

a. conferring with all of the deans individually and requesting recommendations in writing, or

b. bringing the concept to Deans' Council for discussion, refinement, and recommendations for collaboration.

2.  Incorporating the deans' advice and recommendations, proposers of centers and institutes will submit a proposal using the "Request for Establishment of Centers and Institutes" form (Attachment A) through the appropriate chair(s) and deans to the office of the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The proposal must define the unit's mission, goals, and objectives and demonstrate that they are consistent with the university's mission, priorities, and strategic plan. Proposals may demonstrate evidence of the unit's potential to achieve these goals and objectives by ensuring that the narrative addresses the following guidelines:

a. A clear statement of proposed activities, and three- and five-year milestones for creative activities, service functions, academic activities, grant proposals, total potential grant dollars, or other achievements,

b. The names and qualifications of probable participating faculty and staff who have a track record in developing the activities proposed for the unit,

c. A list of potential funding sources,

d. An organizational plan that includes proposed staff and budget requirements, clearly shows to whom the director reports, and describes how the director of the center or institute will be appointed and evaluated,

e. A list of any external organizations expected to participate (e.g., industry, foundations, school districts, other universities) and the nature of their involvement,

f. University resources that will be required, including faculty/staff time, funds, space, and equipment,

g. Justification if the Center includes "State" or "National" designation in its title.

3.  The office of the provost and vice president and academic affairs will submit the proposal to the university attorney to determine if the proposal meets all legal and contractual constraints.

4. The office of the provost and vice president for academic affairs will submit the proposal to the assistant vice president for academic affaris to determine if the proposal appears fiscally sound.

5. The provost and vice president for academic affairs will submit the proposal to the University Committee of the Faculty Senate as an item of information.

6. The office of the provost and vice president for academic affairs will submit the proposal to the Deans' Council for its approval.

7. The provost and vice president for academic affairs will approve or disapprove the proposal.

8. A Center or institute that houses an academic degree program must also be formally approved by the UNT Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A center or institute that does not house an academic degree program will be reported to the UNT Board of Regents as an item of information, and will not go to the Coordinating Board.

ATTACHMENT

REQUESTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS OR INSTITUTES

Center/Institute Name ________________________________________________________

Proposer ________________________________College/Department___________________

Director _________________________________College/Department__________________

Approvals:

Department Chair(s) ______________________________________ Date _______________

Dean(s) __________________________________________________Date _____________

Review and Comment:

Review and written commentary on this proposal requested from the following offices. The written commentaries are to be attached to the proposal for review by the Deans' Council.

University Attorney _______________________________________ Date_______________

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs’ Executive Assistant

For Fiscal Affairs _________________________________________ Date_______________

Deans' Council: __________Approve __________Disapprove Date __________________

For Sunset Review: ______ Yes _______ No

_____________________________________________________ Date _________________

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

_____________________________________________________ Date _________________
Board of Regents (if required)