Chapter 3359-2 | University Administrative Offices

Rule 3359-2-01 | The office of academic affairs.

• Effective: October 14, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) President of the university.

As specified in rule 3359-01-05 of the Administrative Code, the president is the executive head of all university colleges, libraries, branches, schools, and departments, possessing duties, responsibilities, and powers as delineated in the rules of the university of Akron.

(B) Executive vice president and provost.

(1) The executive vice president and provost shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president; and shall hold office at the discretion of the president; and shall report to the president.

(2) The executive vice president and provost shall be responsible for the oversight and management of the academic functions and such other operational functions of the university as assigned, consistent with university rules and policies, or as directed by the president.

(3) The executive vice president and provost shall be an ex-officio member of each faculty and department or school.

(4) The executive vice president and provost shall have the authority to:

(a) Assist in the selection and appointment of faculty and staff, including the promotion, tenure, salary and dismissal of faculty members;

(b) Assist in the preparation of the annual budget;

(c) Oversee university academic departments and administrative offices, consistent with university rules and policies or as directed by the president;

(d) Execute contracts on behalf of the university, consistent with university rules and policies; and

(e) Perform other such duties as may be assigned by the president.

(5) The executive vice president and provost shall have the authority to organize and staff the division of academic affairs to meet its operational responsibilities, consistent with university rules and policies and the authority of the president.

Last updated October 16, 2023 at 4:26 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359.01
Amplifies: 3359.01
Prior Effective Dates: 5/23/2003, 9/5/2003, 11/1/2013, 12/17/2022

Rule 3359-2-01.1 | Deans of the degree-granting and professional colleges and schools.

• Effective: October 14, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Deans of the degree-granting and professional colleges and schools.

(1) Each dean of a degree-granting college or school shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president, shall be responsible to the president through the executive vice president and provost and shall hold office at the discretion of the president.

(2) The dean shall be the administrative head of the respective college or school and shall be charged with the general supervision of all its interests, in accordance with the directions, policies and rules established by the board, the president, and the executive vice president and provost and in accordance with the applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements and the approved actions of the faculty senate and the college or school faculty.

(3) Responsibilities of the dean shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Attending to organizational matters by presiding over meetings of the college or school faculty; recommending members to standing and special committees; recommending nominees for division heads, department chairs, and staff to the executive vice president and provost; presenting policies for consideration by the faculty; and administering University policies, rules and regulations.

(b) Providing program leadership in developing college or school goals, priorities, initiatives, and strategies that align with the goals, priorities, initiatives, and strategies of the university. Facilitating the development of and monitoring the status of goals, priorities, accomplishments, and needs of each department within the college or school.

(c) Developing resources for the college or school by assisting in securing gifts and grants, and by developing an annual budget request. Responsibly managing the operating, capital, and personnel budget of the college or school.

(d) Impacting the college's or school's major programs by enabling quality teaching, research, and service with an appropriate balance.

(e) Enhancing student success and the well-being of students by supervising enrollment management and students' progress and education.

(f) Initiating and facilitating the engagement of the college or school units with other campus units and with the community.

(g) Performing such other duties as designated by the president or the senior vice president and provost and as outlined in other university rules.

(B) Dean, graduate school.

(1) The dean of the graduate school shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president and may also hold the title of vice president for research. The vice president for research and dean of the graduate school shall hold office at the discretion of the president and shall be responsible to the president, who shall consult with the executive vice president and provost on matters relating to the dean. The authority and duties of the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school are included in but not limited by rule 3359-02-10 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Dean, university libraries.

(1) The dean, university libraries shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president, shall be responsible to the president through the executive vice president and provost, and shall hold office at the discretion of the president.

(2) The dean, university libraries shall be the administrative head of the university libraries and shall be charged with the general supervision of all its interests in accordance with university policies and regulations.

(3) Responsibilities of the dean shall include:

(a) Attending to organizational matters presiding over meetings of the libraries faculty and/or staff; facilitating the consideration of policies and practices; and administering university policies, rules and regulations.

(b) Providing leadership in developing the libraries' goals, priorities, initiatives, and strategies that align with the goals, priorities, initiatives, and strategies of the university and monitoring the status of goals, priorities, needs, and accomplishments.

(c) Facilitating the integration of traditional and digital content, the continuous improvement of library services, and the development of technology-enabled services for the benefit of the university community.

(d) Facilitating and fostering cooperative and consortial relationships (for example, OhioLINK) for the benefit of the university community.

(e) Developing resources for the libraries by preparing and recommending priorities-driven budget requirements and by assisting in securing gifts and grants.

(f) Initiating and facilitating the engagement of the libraries with other campus units and with the community.

(4) The dean, university libraries shall assist the executive vice president and provost by performing other duties as may be assigned.

(D) Dean, "The Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College."

(1) The dean of the Williams honors college shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president and shall be responsible to the president through the executive vice president and provost. The dean shall hold office at the discretion of the president.

(2) The dean shall be the administrative head of the Williams honors college, paying close attention to the advice of the honors council and shall be charged with the general supervision of all its interests, in accordance with the policies and rules established by the board, the president, and the faculty senate.

(3) In addition to performing the duties of the dean of a college (paragraph (A) of this rule) which are applicable to the college, the dean shall work closely with all administrators at the university who award scholarships to new students or who make enrollment strategies based on scholarship decisions. In addition, because of the close connections of the dean to honors students, in residential housing, the dean will work closely with officials in the department of residence life and housing in regards to honors student housing.

(4) The dean of the Williams honors college shall assist the executive vice president and provost by performing those duties as may be assigned.

Last updated October 16, 2023 at 4:26 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359.01
Amplifies: 3359.01
Prior Effective Dates: 11/4/1977, 12/31/1986, 9/21/1995, 12/23/1995, 10/22/2010

Rule 3359-2-02 | Organization of instruction.

• Effective: September 24, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) University organization.

(1) The university of Akron is a state university operating under the laws of the state of Ohio. It comprises the following degree granting colleges and schools of instruction:

(a) Buchtel college of arts and sciences.

(b) College of engineering and polymer science.

(c) College of business.

(d) School of law.

(e) College of health and human sciences.

(2) Colleges and schools may be established, altered, or abolished by the board upon recommendation of the president. Alteration, movement, creation, or abolishment of departments or other units within colleges or schools do not require board approval.

(3) From time to time, temporary units of administration or programs may be established, altered, or abolished by the board upon recommendation of the president. The operations of such units and employment of personnel within such units shall be temporary, with primary funding therefore provided from external sources, including without limitation the salaries and benefits of employees in such units, costs of equipment, services and supplies, and other ancillary costs of operation. In addition to funding from external sources, the university may provide such units with "in-kind" support in the form of space or other university resources as recommended by the president and approved by the board.

Such units and employees shall be subject to all applicable state and federal laws and all university rules as set forth in 3359 of the Administrative Code in the same manner as regular university units and employees, including but not limited to applicable provisions of Ohio's ethics laws affecting public employees.

Subject to the prior approval of the president, such units shall be authorized to engage volunteers or others in activities on behalf of the unit and the university of Akron. In addition to the volunteer protection laws of Ohio (sections 2305.38, 2305.381, 5502.30, 2305.234, 2305.23, and 2305.231 of the Revised Code) the university may also provide insurance coverage against loss or liability that arises or is claimed to have arisen from acts or omissions while acting with the scope of their employment or official responsibilities or while engaged in activities at the request or direction, or for the benefit of the university of Akron or said unit.

(B) University faculty.

The university faculty shall consist of the president of the university, who shall be its presiding officer, the vice presidents, the deans, all persons giving instruction for college credit in the university, librarians, and such members of the administrative staff as may be appointed thereto by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president. Voting power within the academic units shall be defined by the rules and bylaws of those units except when defined by university-wide rules and bylaws.

(C) College faculties.

(1) Each degree-granting college shall be governed, subject to the rules of the board and the faculty senate, by a faculty consisting of the president of the university, the executive vice president and provost, its dean, and its full-time distinguished professors, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors.

(2) The functions of the faculty of a college shall be to prepare and recommend to the faculty senate curricula and courses for the college, changes in departmental or school organization, requirements for admission to and graduation from the college, and candidates for degrees and certificates. The faculty shall encourage the improvement of teaching and scholarship. The faculty shall meet at stated times or upon the call of the president or dean.

(3) Colleges may from time to time retain auxiliary faculty as part-time faculty members with the rank of assistant lecturer, associate lecturer, senior lecturer, or special lecturer. Further, they may also retain auxiliary faculty with the titles of adjunct faculty or visiting faculty.

(D) Graduate faculty.

(1) The graduate faculty shall consist of the president of the university, the executive vice president and provost, the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school, and the assistant/associate dean of the graduate school, deans of colleges offering graduate programs, the chairs of departments or schools offering graduate programs, distinguished professors, and other faculty members holding graduate faculty status as determined according to the bylaws of the graduate faculty.

(2) The graduate faculty shall meet at regular or special meetings on call of the president or vice president for research and dean of the graduate school.

(3) The graduate faculty shall encourage and contribute to the advancement of knowledge through instruction and research of highest quality and foster a spirit of inquiry and a high value on scholarship throughout the university. Among its duties are to: develop curricula leading to appropriate graduate degrees; participate in research, publication, and professional societies; recruit, encourage, and supervise superior students in their graduate education; conduct graduate classes and seminars that stimulate creativity, independent thought, and scholarly attitudes and performance; serve on supporting committees, as needed; supervise student research, and direct theses and dissertations; provide advice to the dean of libraries regarding graduate program needs; appoint members of the graduate council (the executive committee of the graduate faculty), and if appointed to the council serve in the best interests of the graduate faculty and the graduate school; advise in the selection of the dean of the graduate school.

(E) Departmental\school staff.

The departmental\school staff is composed of all faculty members teaching subjects of instruction allocated to the department\school. The chair/director of the department\school who is appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the dean of the college, executive vice president and provost, and president, and holds office at the discretion of the president, shall be the administrative head of the department\school. The functions of the departmental\school staff shall be to prepare and recommend to the college or department\school curricula for the department\school, any changes in the curricula or courses, requirements for admission, and standards of academic achievement for graduation from the college or department\school; to prepare an annual strategic planning update; and to encourage the improvement of teaching and scholarship within the department\school in accordance with the rules of the board of trustees.

Last updated September 25, 2023 at 8:20 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3345.31
Amplifies: 3359.01
Prior Effective Dates: 11/16/1990

Rule 3359-2-03 | University libraries administration.

• Effective: October 14, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

Librarian of the school of law.

The librarian of the school of law shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president; shall be responsible to the president through the dean of the school of law and the senior vice president and provost; shall hold office at the discretion of the president; shall administer the school of law library in accordance with good practice; and shall utilize the access services division of the university libraries to assist in the operation of the school of law library.

Last updated October 16, 2023 at 4:26 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359.01
Amplifies: 3359.01
Prior Effective Dates: 11/4/1977

Rule 3359-2-10 | Vice president for research and dean of the graduate school.

• Effective: October 14, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) The vice president for research and dean of the graduate school shall be appointed by the board or the board's designee(s) upon recommendation of the president; shall hold office at the discretion of the president; and shall be responsible to the president.

Notwithstanding the direct reporting relation between vice president for research and dean of the graduate school to the president, it shall be the duty and responsibility of vice president for research and dean of the graduate school to coordinate with and keep the senior vice president and provost informed in advance on all matters, initiatives, or decisions within their area of responsibility that involve academic matters, or that have a reasonable expectation of involving or affecting the academic programs, activities, or directions of the university.

(B) The vice president for research and dean of the graduate school shall be responsible for:

(1) The university's research grants, contracts, and sponsored programs through the office of research administration;

(2) Its intellectual property administration, patent marketing, and licensing activity through the office of technology transfer, and coordination with the office of the vice president and general counsel with respect to all legal matters, including patent prosecutions, enforcement and maintenance;

(3) The conduct of programs to encourage basic, applied, and funded research among the appropriate faculty, staff, and students;

(4) Technology commercialization of university intellectual property and economic development;

(5) Serving as the university's chief research officer and a member of the university research council as well as serving on the Ohio board of regents research officers council.

(C) The vice president for research and dean of the graduate school shall be responsible, in cooperation with the deans of various colleges, for the general academic supervision of graduate education in accordance with the policies and rules established by the Ohio board of regents, the university of Akron board of trustees, and the president.

(D) The duties of the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Encourage the colleges to develop programs of graduate study;

(2) Maintain, in cooperation with the deans of the degree-granting colleges, a satisfactory standard of instruction in graduate education;

(3) Approve those faculty members who qualify for service on master's and doctoral committees and for teaching graduate courses;

(4) Administer the admission procedures to graduate education, the prerequisites for graduate study, the requirements of graduate degrees, and the counseling and registration of graduate students;

(5) Administer the graduate research, teaching, and industrial assistantships and graduate fellowship programs;

(6) Convene and chair the graduate council;

(7) Present to the president at commencement those students who successfully fulfilled the requirements for graduate degrees for appropriate degree conferral;

(8) Serve as a member of the Ohio board of regents advisory committee on graduate study;

(9) Submit an annual report to the president concerning the academic activities, problems, and fiscal needs of the school, and perform such other graduate-related duties as may be indicated by the president or the senior vice president and provost.

(E) The vice president for research and dean of the graduate school shall have authority to sign research contracts for the university of Akron, consistent with the rules of the university, including but not limited to the requirements and restrictions set forth in rule 3359-02-05 of the Administrative Code, and upon prior legal review and approval of the vice president and general counsel or designee.

Last updated October 16, 2023 at 4:26 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 12/22/1989