Establishing Centers, Institutes, and Specialized Testing or Service Laboratories (A-71)
Original Implementation: Unpublished
Last Revision: April 17, 2012
Centers, institutes, and specialized testing or service laboratories (hereafter referred to as “centers”) at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) engage in educational, research, scholarly, service, outreach, and/or faculty development activities. Centers at SFA are subject to all policies and procedures of the university, as well as to applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
A center may be established within an academic department or division, college, or the university, and may be interdisciplinary. A formal proposal is required to establish and officially recognize a center. Procedures and guidelines for proposals are subject to approval by the provost and vice president for academic affairs, and shall be posted by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
A center proposal must include a description of the mission of the center, its goals and objectives, and how the center shall be structured and funded or otherwise supported by the university. Proposals are subject to approval by participating department chairs/directors, deans, and the appropriate vice president(s). Recommendations for formal recognition of centers shall be forwarded to the president for approval. Centers shall submit annual updates to the appropriate dean(s) and/or vice president(s) in a format prescribed by the dean(s) or vice president(s). The annual review process shall include criteria that assess the effectiveness of the center in meeting its mission, goals, and objectives. Every five years a review by the authorizing dean(s) and/or vice president(s) will determine whether a center will be continued or dissolved.
Centers may be named by the Board of Regents for persons who have made outstanding contributions to the university.
Existing centers without formal recognition are required to submit a formal proposal, consistent with this policy’s guidelines.
A center may not participate in activities that do not, in their entirety, support the mission of the university, including the use of a center’s or the university’s name.
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs shall maintain an inventory of centers and their status.
Cross Reference: Guidelines and Procedures for Establishing Centers, Institutes, and Specialized Testing or Service Laboratories; Naming Guidelines (D-22)
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Director, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Forms: Annual Report for Recognized Centers, Institutes, and Specialized Testing or Service Laboratories; Recommendation to Establish, Continue, Modify or Dissolve a Center, Institute, and Specialized Testing or Service Laboratory
Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs