Academic Administrative Units

Academic administrative units at the University include colleges, schools, departments, and interdisciplinary programs that may offer academic programs that lead to formal degrees.

Unit Actions

Select an option below to learn more about approval levels and timelines.

Expand allNew Unit

The Academic Program Liaison (APL) serves as the main information resource on academic administrative unit actions and is primarily responsible for drafting the proposal and completing the Program Pre-Authorization Request form. 

Approval levels:

1. Department (if applicable) and College
2. Dean letter to Provost (send to the Office of Academic Program Planning and Decision Support)
3. Board of Trustees (AESEC and Full BOT)
4. CHE (notification will be submitted by the Office of Academic Program, Planning and Decision Support)

Modification of unit name, purpose, or termination

Name changes and other modifications to or terminations of a unit must be approved by the provost; the president and the Board of Trustees.

Approval levels:

1. Department (if applicable) and College
2. Dean letter to Provost (send to the Office of Academic Program Planning and Decision Support)
3. Board of Trustees (AESEC and Full BOT)
4. CHE (notification will be submitted by the Office of Academic Program Planning and Decision Support)

Centers and Institutes

Centers and institutes are a subset of broader category of academic administrative units, which also include departments, interdisciplinary academic programs, colleges and schools. They are driven by research, instruction, community engagement, and/or creative activities that contribute to the University’s overall mission.

Center/Institute Actions

Select an option below to learn more about approval levels and timelines.

Expand allNew Center/Institute 

When collaborations within and among academic programs evolve toward increasing complexity and interdisciplinarity, the University will often establish centers and institutes to organize the management and development of a research initiative. The Academic Program Liaison (APL) serves as the main information resource on academic administrative unit actions. Units starting new centers and institutes should work with their APL in drafting the proposal submitting a completed Program Pre-Authorization Request form. 

Approval levels:

1. Department and College
2. Dean letter to Provost (send to the Office of Academic Program Planning and Decision Support)
3. Board of Trustees (AESEC and Full BOT)
4. CHE if seeking state funding (proposal will be submitted by the Office of Academic Program Planning and Decision Support)

Modification of Center/Institute name, purpose, or termination

Name changes and other modifications to a center or institute must be approved by the provost; the president and the Board of Trustees. If a decision is made to terminate a center or institute the dean or chancellor must make a recommendation to the provost as outlined in ACAF 2.01 Section II.A.2.f [pdf].

Approval levels:

1. Dean
2. Board of Trustees (AESEC and Full BOT)
3. CHE if Center was approved by CHE (notification will be submitted by the Office of Academic Program Planning and Decision Support)