Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

January 30, 2004

Policy on academic reorganizations

(Approved by President Geoffroy January 2004, see news article)

The Faculty Senate hereby approves the following policy on academic reorganizations, and further recommends the policy to President Geoffroy for his approval. After approval the policy will be included in the Iowa State University Faculty Handbook.

Policy for Reorganization of Academic Units
The reorganization of academic units (departments or colleges) is an academic activity that is part of university governance shared by faculty and administration. Reorganizations are carried out via a three-step process involving discussion, planning, and review.

Discussion
Reorganization begins with discussion of a problem or opportunity whose solution may include restructuring one or more units of the University. This discussion leads to a decision to formally explore the possibility of reorganization by developing a reorganization plan. The commitment to begin planning is made with no prior assumption that reorganization will be the inevitable outcome. The decision to begin planning is made by the administrator (Dean, Provost, or President) of the unit involved in response to what he or she feels is compelling evidence. This decision is not to be made lightly, as planning requires time, effort, and resources. The decision to begin planning will include a determination of which units are involved, what the opportunity/ problem is that is to be dealt with, and an estimation of the time frame for decision-making. It may or may not include a previously developed proposal for reorganization. When the decision is made to begin planning faculty in all involved units and the Faculty Senate are to be notified. The faculty and/or administrators involved may seek input from the Faculty Senate in structuring the process to be followed. The Faculty Senate will monitor the planning process.

Planning
The goal of planning is the generation of a reorganization plan to resolve a problem or exploit an opportunity. This proposed reorganization plan will include a decision whether or not to reorganize. The plan will also contain an academic plan that describes the reorganization being proposed and an implementation plan that explains how the proposed reorganization will be implemented and what resources will be needed. The reorganization plan will also include a description of the time frame for implementing the reorganization.

Review
Reorganization plans must be reviewed and approved before being put into action. The proposed reorganization plan will be reviewed by the faculty in the affected units and by the department chairs and/or Deans of these units. The faculty review of the plan will conclude with a vote on whether to recommend that the plan be adopted. After the vote by the involved faculty and the review by the administrators the plan will be reviewed by the Provost, whether the faculty vote is favorable or not. The Provost will take one of three actions. The Provost may send the plan back to the affected units for further review and/or revision. The Provost may reject the plan and terminate the process, leaving the existing unit(s) in place. The Provost may submit the plan to the Faculty Senate for review with a recommendation that it be approved. The Faculty Senate will review the plan as submitted by the Provost. The Senate's review may include discussions with the faculty and/or administrators in the unit(s) and/or with the Provost. The Senate may request further information and/or clarification from the Provost on the plan and on his or her recommendation. After completing it's review the Senate will take one of two actions. It may return the proposal to the Provost with a recommendation that he/she consider revisions or reconsider rejecting the proposal. The Senate may submit the plan to the President with a recommendation that it be approved. The Senate will complete its review and take action following the normal Senate time frame of two meetings after receiving the plan. After reviewing the recommendations of the Provost and the Faculty Senate the President will take one of three actions. The President may return the plan for further discussion or revision. The President may dismiss the plan and terminate the process. This will leave the existing unit(s) in place. The President may submit the plan to the Board of Regents with a recommendation that it be approved. Final approval of the proposed reorganization rests with the Board of Regents. After receiving Regents approval the plan will be implemented in a timely manner. The Provost and/or appropriate Dean(s) will conduct follow-up reviews of units that have undergone reorganization.