{"id":104,"date":"2013-12-16T18:48:23","date_gmt":"2013-12-16T23:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/manual\/?page_id=104"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:31:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:31:34","slug":"chapter-8-10","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/manual\/chapter-8\/chapter-8-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Centers and Institutes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 8 – Academic Regulations<\/h3>\n

Centers and Institutes<\/strong><\/p>\n

8.90.10 <\/strong>The following sections, 8.90.10-8.90.40, establish the administrative procedures for Centers and Institutes at URI. Centers and Institutes are of two types: Academic and Institutional. This section of the University Manual deals with Academic Centers and Institutes. Institutional Centers and Institutes are considered in other parts of the University Manual and\/or other University governing documents. Academic Centers and Institutes are officially recognized units that shall be established with the purpose of advancing scholarly, instructional, training, service, and\/or outreach activity through collaborative research or creative endeavors. Notwithstanding any provision stated here or any arrangements derived from these sections, curricular matters shall always and only be reserved as the concern of departments, colleges, schools, and academic experiences, and the hiring and primary housing of academic staff shall be reserved for departments, colleges, and schools.<\/p>\n

An Academic Center has a focused mission and a clearly defined objective to facilitate collaboration at the university. It may involve a group of faculty from one or more departments from a single college or school or from different colleges and schools. An Academic Center must have no fewer than three core faculty members (including the director). The governance of an Academic Center should generally not involve more than one college or school, but exceptions may be approved if a compelling case is made by the proposers at the time of application.<\/p>\n

An Academic Institute has a broad but clearly defined mission to promote interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the University. Academic Institutes may bring together many disciplines, departments, colleges, schools, and other institutions to create local, national, and\/or international partnerships.<\/p>\n

The feasibility of a proposed Academic Center or Institute using the term “Center” or “Institute” will be supported by the proposal documents and ultimately determined by the Centers and Institutes Review Committee (CIRC), the Faculty Senate, and the final determination by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Existing centers and institutes may retain their current designations as a center or an institute, with possible reevaluation of these definitional classifications at the time of renewal.<\/p>\n

Each Academic Center or Institute is an individual entity and not tied to the demise or expansion of other Academic Centers or Institutes.<\/p>\n

The list of active academic centers and institutes shall be maintained by the Office of the Provost and shared with the Division of Research and Economic Development, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and the Center and Institutes Review Committee.  #11-12–25, <\/a>#17-18-23 #20-21-32<\/a>  #25-26-FSEC-08<\/a><\/p>\n

8.90.11<\/strong> Removed #20-21-32<\/a><\/p>\n

8.90.12<\/strong> Removed  #25-26-FSEC-08<\/a><\/p>\n

8.90.18<\/strong> Removed #20-21-32<\/a><\/p>\n

8.90.20 Procedures for the Establishment of Academic Centers and Institutes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Proposals for all academic centers and institutes shall originate with faculty representing the disciplines, departments, schools, and\/or colleges concerned. A proposal for the creation of an academic center or institute shall form its charter and include the following:<\/p>\n