Statement of Purpose
This policy describes how centers, institutes, museums and laboratories within the University of Nevada Las Vegas ("University" or " UNLV") are defined, created, and closed.
Entities Affected by this Policy
University Academic Faculty, Departments, Schools, and Colleges
Who Should Read this Policy
- University faculty interested in creating a new center, institute, museum, or laboratory Faculty serving as directors of existing centers, institutes, museums, or laboratories Department Chairs responsible for existing centers, institutes, museums, or laboratories in their unit
- School Directors responsible for existing centers, institutes, museums, or laboratories in their unit
- Deans responsible for reviewing and endorsing proposals for new centers, institutes, museums, or laboratories in their college
- Vice Presidents responsible for reviewing and endorsing proposals for new centers, institutes, museums, or laboratories within their area of responsibility
- Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Policy
General administration and oversight of the (a) initial review/recommendation and (b) annual and three-year review of University centers, institutes, museums, and laboratories falls within the Division of Research and Economic Development, with reporting through the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. The Council for Centers, Institutes, Museums and Laboratories (the "Council") reports to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED). The Council is responsible for initial review and recommendation of new proposals as well as for conducting annual and three-year reviews of existing centers, institutes, museums, and laboratories. The Council is available to provide ongoing assistance both before and after a unit's formal approval. The Council is charged with developing further procedures and forms to implement the process of creation, review and closure of entities covered by this policy.
Recommendations from the Council are forwarded to the VPRED, who in turn, makes a recommendation to the Executive Vice President and Provost. Requests for new centers, institutes, museums, and laboratories are then forwarded for approval to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents ("Board of Regents"). After a new center, institute, museum, or laboratory is approved by the Board of Regents, the day-to-day operational administration and oversight typically is through an academic department, school, college, or administrative unit.
No unit in the University may use the term "Center," "Institute," "Museum," or " Laboratory" in its title without having received formal approval by the Board of Regents. Research output that bears the name of a center or UNLV in the title should be subject to a review process that is developed and implemented by the unit.