Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a public land-grant institution serving the people of Iowa, the nation, and the world through its interrelated programs of instruction, research, extension, and professional service. With an institutional emphasis upon areas related to science and technology, the university carries out its traditional mission of discovering, developing, disseminating, and preserving knowledge.

Iowa State University provides high quality undergraduate programs across a broad range of disciplines, as befits the institution's stature as a university. In its dedication to excellence in teaching, the university strives to instill in its students the discernment, intellectual curiosity, knowledge and skills essential for their individual development and their useful contribution to society. A common goal of undergraduate education is to assure that all students, regardless of disciplinary major, acquire literacy in science and technology, an understanding of humane and ethical values, an awareness of the intellectual, historical, and artistic foundations of our culture, and a sensitivity to other cultures and to international concerns. Consonant with its role as a teaching and research institution, Iowa State University has a strong commitment to graduate education that, at both the master's and doctoral levels, emphasizes the development of professional, research, and scholarship skills.

As an integral part of the learning process, Iowa State University fosters the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge by supporting research, scholarship, and creative activity. The university also uses existing knowledge to address problems and issues of concern to the state of Iowa in particular, as well as to the national and global community. The university's research and scholarly endeavors are supported by public and private resources and are conducted in an environment of open scientific inquiry and academic freedom.

Extension, professional service, and continuing education activities are conducted through innovative and effective outreach programs that provide the people of Iowa, and beyond, with practical knowledge and information derived from leading instructional and research efforts at Iowa State University and elsewhere. Through its outreach programs, the university stimulates and encourages progressive change.

Iowa State University enrolls academically qualified students who represent diverse age groups, socio-economic levels, racial ancestries, ethnic heritages, and international cultures, and who provide a gender balance. Through the use of a variety of educational opportunities, advanced instructional technologies, and student services, the university supports the development of both traditional and non-traditional students, preparing them for citizenship and life-long learning in a rapidly changing world.

Finally, Iowa State University participates in international efforts to alleviate world hunger and poverty, to prepare students and faculty to be productive and responsible citizens of the world, and to contribute to increased cultural, educational, economic, scientific, and socio-political interchange and understanding between and among Iowans and other members of the world community.

Role and Scope

Role: The role of Iowa State University is defined by the institution's status as the State of Iowa's land-grant university and by its relationship to the other institutions of higher education within Iowa.

• Iowa State University must strive to develop and maintain instruction, research, extension, and professional service programs that fulfill the responsibilities of a major land-grant institution.
• Iowa State University shares with the other public institutions of higher education within Iowa the joint responsibility of providing a full range of high quality educational opportunities. Coordination among these institutions with respect to programs, clientele, and geographic areas is necessary to ensure that the priority needs of all Iowans are addressed and to avoid unnecessary duplication.
• Iowa State has a statewide system for extension education and information dissemination.
• Iowa State continues to be a leading higher education institution with institutional emphasis on science and technology.
• Consistent with its historic role, Iowa State University contributes to the economic development of the state of Iowa by attracting public and private organizations seeking proximity to leading authorities in particular fields, but participating in technology transfer, and by assisting efforts to strengthen and diversify the economic base of Iowa.
• Iowa State University assumes responsibility for helping to protect, maintain and improve Iowa's natural resources through the discovery and diffusion of knowledge and technology.

Scope: Consistent with the university's role and mission statements, the current scope of Iowa State University is described below.

Iowa State University of Science and Technology, a broad-based university with an orientation toward science and technology, has sufficient scope and depth in its instruction, research, extension, and professional service functions to enable it to continue to be a distinguished land-grant university. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate work in the physical, biological, mathematical, and social sciences, it will maintain and develop strong undergraduate programs in the arts and humanities, and will offer such master's and Ph.D. programs in this area as are justified to meet the needs of the state of Iowa and to maintain the overall strength and desirable balance of the university as a whole.

In Iowa State University's professional programs, principal emphasis will be given to the maintenance and development of strong programs in the sciences, agriculture, engineering, veterinary medicine, design, education, business, and family and consumer sciences. Interdisciplinary programs are offered that seek to combine the perspectives and methods of more than one discipline to better address the questions and problems confronting Iowa, the nation, and the world. The international efforts of Iowa State University are to be expanded and enhanced.

Iowa State University will offer no major undergraduate or graduate programs in law, library science, human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, hospital administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech pathology.

Future programs will be determined by the continuing assessment of existing programs and of developing needs. Programs will be curtailed or eliminated when the assessment of need and resources dictates that the resources could be better used for other programs. The university approaches the addition of new programs with considerable caution. Generally, new programs are fashioned out of existing programs in response to developing needs. But if the university is to remain vital, it must be prepared and able to develop, at appropriate times, new programs that are within its general mission and that meet the changing needs of the students and society.

Administrative Structure

Iowa State University of Science and Technology is one of five institutions managed and controlled by the State Board of Regents. The other institutions are the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa School for the Deaf, and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. The Board of Regents consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate. The term of office is six years, with the terms of three members expiring on May 1 of each odd- numbered year. The offices of the Board of Regents are located in the Old Historical Building, Des Moines, Iowa.

"Iowa State University of Science and Technology" is the official name of the university. Iowa State University is the more commonly used name except where the official name may be required on certain documents. The university is not incorporated, and when a statement of the nature of the university is required, it should be described as "an agency of the State of Iowa."

The president is the principal administrative officer of the university and is directly responsible to the Board of Regents for the operation of the university.

The president attends meetings of the Board, reports on university affairs, participates in policy discussions, presents the university budget, and recommends policy changes, expenditures not provided by the budget, construction of new facilities, changes in curricula, establishment of new courses, and all types of personnel actions.

The president is held responsible for the administration of university affairs. The university's chief executive officer also serves as the presiding officer of the General Faculty and of the Administrative Board. The president also issues diplomas conferring degrees upon the recommendation of the General Faculty and by authority of the Board of Regents.

The president is directly responsible for recommending the appointment of administrative officers who carry university-wide responsibility: the provost, the vice president for business and finance, the vice president for student affairs, the vice president for external affairs, the vice provost for undergraduate programs, the vice provost for research and advanced studies, the vice provost for extension, the academic deans, the treasurer, the controller and secretary, and all other directors and managers of university agencies. The president is also responsible for the offices of Institutional Research and Internal Audit, and the Affirmative Action Office.

The provost, through the deans, directors and vice provosts, coordinates and administers the academic and research programs and the personnel policies of the university. The person in this position holds responsibility for the University Library, the Computation Center, International Programs, the Honors Program, the Instructional Technology Center, Placement, and, in conjunction with Student Affairs, the Women's Center. The provost is directly responsible to the president and represents the university on the Regents' Interinstitutional Committee on Educational Coordination.

The vice president for business and finance manages the fiscal operation of the university and is responsible for the offices of the Treasurer, Secretary, Controller, Accounting, Payroll, Administrative Data Processing, Purchasing, Central Stores, Printing, Bookstore, Facilities Planning and Management, Human Resource Services, Accounts Receivable, Environmental Health and Safety, and Flight Service. The vice president for business and finance is also responsible for the general supervision of business operations of all university activities.

The vice president for student affairs coordinates all non-academic student services. These services include Enrollment Services, the Registrar, Department of Residence, Student Counseling Service, Student Health Center, Financial Aid and Student Employment, Minority Student Affairs, the office of Student Life, University Recreation Services, and in conjunction with the provost, International Students and Scholars and the Women's Center.

The vice president for external affairs has responsibility for University Relations, intercollegiate athletic programs, the Alumni Association, corporate development, the ISU Foundation, the ISU Research Park, and Iowa State Innovation System.

The General Faculty

The General Faculty is the legislative body of the university. It consists of all regular and adjunct faculty members of the rank of instructor and higher, as well as all major administrative officers of the university. The General Faculty is responsible for educational policies and procedures of the university, including admission requirements, graduation requirements, curriculum and course revisions, new degree programs, and grading procedures. It also recommends candidates for diplomas, degrees, and certificates to be conferred by the president. Major changes in educational policy approved by the General Faculty must be presented by the president to the Board of Regents for final approval.

The General Faculty is responsible to, and is chaired by, the president. While the Faculty Senate (see below) was created by the General Faculty to conduct its business, meetings of the General Faculty may be held as needed, at the call of the president. If the General Faculty dissolves the Faculty Senate, meetings of the General Faculty would then be held at the end of each semester and as needed, at the call of the president.

The Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate was established by the General Faculty to act as its representative body and to conduct the business of the General Faculty. The Faculty Senate has legislative responsibility for general academic and educational policy for the university, facilitates communication between the faculty and the students and the administration, and cooperates with the administration in conflict resolution.

Membership in the Faculty Senate is determined as follows: Each department is entitled to one senator elected by the faculty of the department; each college is entitled to one at-large senator and one senator for each 100 faculty over 100. At-large college senators are elected by each respective college faculty. The Faculty Senate is required to hold regular monthly meetings during each term of the academic year.

The officers consist of president, president-elect and secretary; they are members of the Faculty Senate and are elected by the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate's organization consists of the Executive Board, councils and committees. The Executive Board prepares the agendas for all Faculty Senate meetings and acts for the Faculty Senate when it is not in session. The councils facilitate communication and cooperation among Faculty Senate committees and timely forwarding of issues to the Executive Board. Faculty Senate committees conduct business under the auspices of Faculty Senate councils and report to their respective councils.

The basic document, as approved by the State Board of Regents, and the Rules and Bylaws of the Faculty Senate are presented in Appendix A of this handbook.

The Faculty Senate Executive Board

The Faculty Senate Executive Board provides leadership and planning for the Senate, directs the preparation of the Faculty Senate agenda, advises the president on appointment of all Senate committee members, and manages the relationship between the Faculty Senate and the university administration. The Executive Board acts for the Faculty Senate when it is not in session and reports such actions to the Faculty Senate.

The Faculty Senate Councils and Committees

The council chairs and members are elected by the Faculty Senate and college caucuses, respectively. Membership on Faculty Senate committees is assigned by the president of the Faculty Senate. Committee chairs are appointed by the president of the Senate with advice and consent of the Executive Board. Full committee and council descriptions are contained in the Rules and Bylaws presented in Appendix A of this handbook.

A. Council on Faculty Governance oversees the internal operations of the Faculty Senate, which includes proposing procedures for Faculty Senate elections and operating procedures, reviewing and proposing changes to the Basic Document and the Rules and Bylaws, and monitoring the Faculty Senate's governance system.

Committee on Committees conducts elections of faculty to the Faculty Senate and recommends faculty members for committee appointments.

Committee on Governance Structure and Documents continuously reviews the governance documents and organizational structure of the Faculty Senate.

B. Council on Academic Affairs coordinates the creation and consideration of policy in the area of academic affairs.

Committee on Academic Standards and Admissions considers policies and procedures related to academic standards for enrolled undergraduates and admissions for prospective new students and transfer students.

Committee on Curriculum recommends to the Faculty Senate university-wide curriculum standards and catalog offerings and changes.

C. Council on Faculty Development and Administrative Relations addresses and coordinates policy and procedural recommendations relating to faculty development and well-being, academic freedom, faculty evaluation, and issues pertaining to administrative relations.

Committee on Facilities and Educational Resources advises on all matters, as they relate to instruction and research, concerning facilities, grounds and other physical resources.

Committee on Faculty Welfare and Development oversees current policies and recommends new ones concerning the professional growth and general welfare of all faculty members.

Committee on Professional Development recommends to the provost the granting of faculty improvement leaves and foreign travel grants to individual faculty members.

Committee on University Budget considers all budget matters, including sources of revenue, allocation of resources within the university, and relation of future budget requests to the Faculty Senate's initiatives and priorities.

Committee on University Planning identifies issues, makes suggestions, and reviews matters related to long-range planning for the university.

D. Council on Judiciary and Appeals maintains a system for faculty grievance and works with the provost in defining the procedural and policy interface between the faculty grievance process and the administration's jurisdiction.

Committee on Appeals hears and works to resolve grievances from faculty who believe they have been treated unfairly with respect to salary, promotion, tenure, academic concerns, reduction in force, or other matters relating to employment.

University Councils and Committees

Much of the work of the university is done by numerous councils and committees that make recommendations to the president or other administrative officers and to the General Faculty. Most committees are composed of faculty representatives from the various colleges, appointed by the president or the provost on recommendation of the college deans, and student members, usually recommended by the Government of the Student Body, and nonacademic staff representatives. Periodic membership rotation provides an opportunity for many faculty members to serve on these committees.

A complete list of standing councils and committees, including their current membership, is found in the University Directory. Those of special interest to the faculty are mentioned here.

Academic Advising Committee coordinates the advising programs of the various colleges and advises the provost on issues of interest or concern to advisers.

All-University Judiciary Committee is the hearing board for charges of student conduct violations, including academic dishonesty.

Benefits Committee studies and makes recommendations with respect to employee benefit programs, including group insurance plans and retirement annuity programs.

Calendar Committee recommends to the administration the specific university calendar on a biennial schedule.

Capital Improvement Advisory Committee reviews and advises the administration with respect to proposals affecting the external features of the campus that are developed by the university planning staff.

Child Care Committee advises the university administration on child care needs of students, faculty and staff, recommends ways by which these needs can be met, and works with various organizations within the community interested in child care.

Committee on Women advises the administration regarding policies affecting women faculty members, staff and students.

Computation Center Advisory Committee studies the needs of the Computation Center as related to the instructional and research programs of the university and advises the director on matters of general policy, development of Computation Center resources, and integration of the Computation Center programs with those of other units of the university. The committee also recommends allocation of the annual income from the special university-wide computer fee.

Council for Intercollegiate Athletics manages the budget for intercollegiate athletics and recommends to the president certain staff appointments concerned with intercollegiate athletics (see Appendix B for details).

Council on Student Affairs advises the vice president for student affairs on issues related to the welfare and development of students.

Diversity Steering Committee assesses campus climate and makes recommendations for improvement.

Graduate Council provides a channel for representative faculty and student interaction with the Graduate College administration on questions involving direction and process of graduate education.

Honors Program Committee coordinates the Honors Programs of the various colleges and establishes general policies pertaining to these programs.

Human Subjects in Research Committee reviews all proposed research involving human subjects and determines whether federal and local guidelines and requirements have been followed.

International Programs Council coordinates development of international service programs, reciprocal exchange agreements with foreign entities, study abroad programs, internationally oriented research programs, and campus programs with international emphasis.

International Studies Committee oversees majors and minors in international studies and coordinates the advising of students enrolled in those programs.

Lectures Committee provides lectures, drama, and events that have no other possible source of sponsorship. The lectures extend from topics of national and international concern through the arts. The committee also provides both guidance and financial assistance to campus groups who desire speakers on a particular issue.

Library Committee advises the dean of library services on matters relating to general policies and developments of the library and its services.

Performing Arts Council plans and organizes concerts and programs for the ISU Center Series and special events in the performing arts.

Public Events Committee reviews and coordinates all proposals for major events on campus and gives final approval on dates and places for special events.

Retirees Committee maintains a link with the university for all retired faculty and staff and their spouses through continuing education and social programs, newsletters, special interest groups, and short travel tours, and encourages participation in service to the university and community.

Safety Committee monitors the university's physical environment to insure optimum safety conditions.

Transportation Advisory Council recommends policies and regulations with respect to traffic and parking on the campus.

The Graduate College

The Graduate College oversees all the programs of post-baccalaureate study offered by the university. Most of the graduate programs are research oriented and lead to a master's degree (with thesis) and to the doctor of philosophy degree. In certain fields that involve advanced study directed more specifically to vocational or professional objectives, a professional master's degree or a master's degree without thesis is available.

The Graduate Faculty in various programs handles admission and classification of graduate students, establishes requirements for advanced degrees, and has charge of instruction and research at the graduate level. Graduate faculty members also teach graduate courses, serve on program of study (POS) committees, and direct work of master's and doctoral students. All graduate courses offered for major or minor credit are taught by graduate faculty members or graduate lecturers.

The Graduate Faculty includes the president, the provost, vice provosts and associate provosts, the dean and associate deans of the Graduate College, deans and associate deans of the other eight colleges, the deans of library services, and the directors and associate directors of research institutes as members. Executive officers of departments, assistant deans, and other members of the faculty may be elected to membership in recognition of accomplishments in their respective disciplines.

Recommendation of faculty for membership in the Graduate Faculty is usually initiated by the department executive officer. Membership is appropriate for a person who holds a tenure-track, appointment with the academic rank of assistant professor or above at Iowa State University and who has demonstrated competence for pursuing creative work by completing a Ph.D. or highest graduate degree appropriate to the discipline from an accredited or internationally recognized institution. Term appointments to the Graduate Faculty are available for those who hold the academic rank of adjunct, collaborator, visiting, temporary, or affiliate faculty and who otherwise meet the requirements for graduate faculty membership. The designation "graduate lecturer" is used for a staff member who is not a member of the Graduate Faculty but who is authorized to teach a graduate course, usually on a temporary basis. Details of the nomination procedures for all of these membership categories are contained in the Graduate College Handbook.

Graduate Council

The Graduate Council is a representative body consisting of fifteen elected members of the graduate faculty and four elected graduate student members. The Graduate Council serves as the executive committee of the graduate faculty and sets policy that concerns the direction and process of graduate education at Iowa State University. Meeting at least monthly during the academic year, the council provides a mechanism for interaction among graduate students, graduate faculty members, and the administration of the Graduate College. Meetings are open to any interested members of the graduate faculty, staff, or student body.

The Graduate Council submits recommendations to the Faculty Senate regarding graduate curriculum issues. Suggestions for new policies and policy revisions may be submitted to the Graduate Council by members of any of its constituent bodies, by the Graduate Faculty and the Graduate Student Senate, or by the Graduate College administration. The Graduate Council issues a formal report at the end of every academic year, with a copy published in the Graduate College newsletter, Research and Graduate Education.

Directors of Graduate Education (DOGE)

DOGEs are the graduate program coordinators of graduate majors and interdepartmental programs. DOGEs may be department executive officers or other members of the graduate faculty. Periodic meetings of the DOGEs are scheduled during the academic year for announcements and to exchange information about graduate education and research. Recruitment of graduate students, sources of support, and academic policies are also reviewed at DOGE meetings.

The Major

A major is the approved area of study or academic concentration in which a graduate student chooses to qualify for the award of a graduate degree. Each major is offered by a group of qualified faculty who are responsible for curriculum, requirements, and standards that constitute a distinct program of training. The responsible faculty may be administratively located in a single department (departmental major) or may be located in several departments (interdepartmental major).

College and Departmental Organization

The Dean

The dean of the college is the chief administrative officer for the college and is responsible to the president through the provost. The dean recommends the appointment of heads or chairs of departments to the president after consultation with the department staff, submits the departmental budgets to the president, supervises the registration and the progress of students in the college and
recommends them for the baccalaureate degree, and represents the college in all official business.
Each dean is responsible for the administration of both the academic program and the research program of the college, the latter including a college research station or institute. The deans are appointed by the president with the approval of the Board of Regents.

The College Faculty

The college faculty is composed of all faculty members who hold academic rank in a department in that college. Each college faculty, or its assembly of elected representatives, meets at least once each semester (and more often on the call of the dean) to act on educational matters within the province of the college. The faculty is responsible for approving and recommending candidates for baccalaureate degrees and for approving college curricula, as well as determining other academic matters of specific concern to the college.

The College Cabinet

Each college has a cabinet composed of the dean, the executive officers of departments administered in whole or in part within that college, and such other administrative officers as the dean may appoint. It meets on the call of the dean to advise him or her concerning administrative and policy matters.

Committees of the College

College committees are appointed by the dean or elected by the college faculty to be responsible for areas such as curriculum, academic standards, academic advising, instruction, and staff orientation and welfare. These committees, responsible to the dean and to the college faculty, report regularly on their activities.

The Department

The department is the basic administrative unit within the university. It includes all staff members engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities related to that particular academic discipline. Although most departments are administered within a single college, a few departments--by nature of the diversity of their programs--are located in more than one college and are responsible to more than one dean.

The Department Executive Officer

The executive officer of the department is responsible for directing the work of the department, preparing and administering the departmental budget, and recommending personnel actions involving members of the department. The executive officer has general supervision of the students in the department and is responsible for the submission of the faculty's course grades to the registrar at the end of each term. He or she is responsible to the dean of the college.

The executive officer's term of office may be either indefinite or fixed, the latter carrying the possibility of renewal. A person with an indefinite term is called a department head, while a person with a fixed term chairs the department. In either case, however, the individual's performance is evaluated periodically by the responsible administrative officials.

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, 1550 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011-2021
Phone 515-294-9591, Fax: 515-294-8844