3.3.1 Academic Research Centers

The following are general guidelines for research centers within academic areas of the University:

1. Centers should be considered complementary and not competitive with research activities of individual investigators and other University research organizations.
2. Centers should enhance both the research and the graduate programs of the University.
3. Centers should commonly have a focused, interdisciplinary theme with strong existing funding or potential for funding.
4. Centers should have a critical nucleus of faculty already in place.
5. Centers must have a faculty member to serve as the center director. This individual will usually be a senior person with a proven research background who also has research entrepreneurial skills to secure funding and visibility for center activities.

Any group of faculty that feels it has a common focus and interest and meets the general guidelines for research centers may, through their department chairs and deans, recommend establishment of a research center.

The college or school deans involved will review the proposal along with the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. The proposal will be reviewed in terms of the general guidelines and for relevance to University mission and academic areas targeted for research and graduate thrusts. Proposals may be approved, sent back for revision, or rejected. If approved, the proposal is forwarded to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs with a recommendation for center director. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the proposal and approve it, send it back for revision, or reject it.

At least once each calendar year, every center will be reviewed by the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.