Purpose

The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to the creation and initiation of Centers, Institutes and Bureaus at Wichita State University.

Preamble

Board of Regents policy states that all centers, institutes and bureaus should enhance the visibility of a given subject or activity and that there should be sufficient resources provided in support of the center, institute or bureau to meet the goal of increased visibility.¹ It is crucial that the University have a formal process in place to ascertain and assure compliance with Regents requirements and to verify that the creation and initiation of such an entity is in the best academic and financial interests of the University.

¹ See Item 7(j) in Chapter II, Section A of the Board of Regents Policy Manual. See also Item 7(e) in Section A with regard to required approvals.

Policy

1. No center, institute or bureau shall be initiated without the specific authorization and approval of the President of the University, after review and recommendation by the Provost. (It is noted that Centers of Excellence, which are funded through legislative appropriation, should have state and nation-wide recognition and should be unique within the state. Centers of Excellence require consideration and approval by the Board of Regents and the Kansas Legislature.)

2. The Provost shall be responsible for the development of criteria and guidelines for consideration and use by faculty, departments and/or colleges interested in the creation and initiation of a center, institute or bureau.

Implementation

This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.

The Provost shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.