Academic Policies

25: Guidelines Governing the Establishment and Management of Centers, Institutes, and Consortia

Purpose

To establish guidelines governing the establishment, management, and accountability for all Centers, Institutes, and Consortia. These guidelines are designed to comply with those established by Vice President for Research and Dean of The Graduate School.

Guidelines

Each Center must meet the following criteria to be established, supported, and/or sustained.

1. Have a continuing Director or Budget Administrator,
2. Have a clear vision, mission, and Strategic Plan,
3. Possess a clear understanding of the appropriate University budget procedures,
4. Focus on a specific research or service function related to the University’s goals,
5. Have sustainable funding rather than one or two occasional grants,
6. Engage multiple faculty rather than focus on the interests of a single faculty member,
7. Engage at least two or more graduate students on a regular basis and play a significant role in graduate education,
8. External [outside the University] rather than internal funding from the campus college or other University budgets,
9. Funding over a multi-year period to meet the sustainability requirement mentioned above,
10. Have identifiable stakeholders and clients, who receive real benefits from the organization,
11. Demonstrate through objective performance measures that the organization is having a significant impact on the advancement of the research and outreach interests of the University,
12. Have an established annual evaluation process to ensure that the unit is meeting all of the goals or objectives outlined in the mission statement as well as those established by University for outreach projects,
13. Have an approved and renewable financial plan that meets all the guidelines approved by the Office of Sponsored Programs,
14. Have the support of the Department Head, School Director, or administrative leader of an academic unit,
15. Have a clear record of following all the guidelines or procedures established by the Office of Research Protections,
16. Be related to those research activities identified as major themes in the University’s land-grant mission to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
17. Be approved by the Dean of the College and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Approved by Academic Council ( 06-03-2003)

Approved by the Dean of the College ( 06-04-2003)

Submitted to the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School (06-05- 2003)