Administration
The Office of the Provost is charged with developing, implementing, and reviewing academic policies and programs. The Provost serves as the chief
academic officer of the University. This office coordinates activities of academic deans and directors and informs and advises the President on academic matters.
The office is responsible for personnel and budgetary matters in the academic areas including supportive areas such as the libraries, Museum, Extended
Learning, Official Publications, Operating Policies, Ranching Heritage Center, University Transition Advisement Center (UTAC), Women's Studies, University
Press, Honors Program, International Affairs, ICASALS, and the Center at Junction.
Academic Structure
Each of the colleges and schools of the University is administered by a dean and staff, and faculty are assigned to each unit except the Graduate School.
The colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering, and Human Sciences are organized into
instructional departments or divisions which are administered by chairpersons. The College of Business Administration's organizational pattern includes areas of instruction.
The Honors College, School of Law, and College of Architecture are organized as single units.
Department chairpersons and area coordinators are usually appointed for three-year terms by the Provost on the recommendation of the dean of
the appropriate college. They serve in their administrative roles without tenure. The dean reviews chairpersons annually; reappointment as chairperson may
be recommended.
Each department chairperson and area coordinator, in cooperation with the faculty, is responsible for supervising the activities of the department,
preparing the department budget requests, initiating requests for salary increases, recommending tenure and promotion, initiating appointment recommendations,
and developing the departmental curriculum.
Provost's Council
The Provost's Council serves as a policy forming body and makes recommendations on University matters. The Provost's Council provides leadership
in all areas of function of the University.
The Provost's Council is composed of the Provost, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Vice Provost for Research, the Vice President for Fiscal
Affairs, the Vice President for Research, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the deans of the colleges and schools, the President of the Faculty Senate, the
Provost's staff, and the Director of the Libraries.
Academic Council
The Academic Council serves in an advisory capacity to the Provost on academic related matters. The council provides leadership in determining
academic policies, procedures, and priorities. The council considers requests for new degree programs and recommends course additions, changes, and deletions.
The Academic Council is composed of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Assistant Provost, the Vice President for Enrollment Management,
the Vice President of the Faculty Senate, an associate dean from each school and college (two representing Arts and Sciences), an associate dean of the
Libraries, the Dean of Students, and directors of Admissions and Records, Extended Learning, Institutional Research, International Affairs, Museum, Official
Publications, Ranching Heritage Center, Research Services, and University Transition Advisement Center (UTAC). The Student Association is invited to send a
representative each year to participate in Academic Council meetings.
Research Council
The Research Council serves in an advisory capacity to the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies on research-related matters. The
council provides leadership in proposing new University research policy and implementation strategies, establishing research goals and objectives, and
making recommendations for improving the research climate at Texas Tech University. A specific annual task of the council is to help evaluate nominees for the
Barney E. Rushing, Jr., Outstanding Research Award.
The Research Council is composed of the Senior Associate Vice President for Research, an associate dean from each college and the Law School,
and representatives from Development, Extended Learning, Grants and Contracts Accounting, Health Sciences Center, International Affairs, Library,
Museum, Research Services, and University-sponsored or -supported research centers or institutes. The Faculty Senate is invited to send a representative each year
to attend Research Council meetings.
Centers and Institutes
Faculty groups with common interests may establish an identifiable unit with a common focus within the University. Major criteria for forming such
units are twofold: relevance to the University's academic, service, and research mission; and potential benefits to be gained by forming such a unit. Each unit
should conform to University policies as well as to state regulations and statutes.
The general guidelines for determining whether a unit should be titled an institute or a center are as follows: an institute has research objectives as its
primary thrust, while a center may include research within its total activity but has a broader function that may include educational and service activities.
Formal proposals for establishing a unit should be initiated through academic channels and forwarded to the Office of the Vice President for Research
and Graduate Studies (VPRGS).
On occasion, certain other kinds of special units or activities such as clinics and research or service bureaus may be established under essentially the
same framework as described above.
Units operating solely within an academic department may be established by the respective dean, but they should be approved by the VPRGS and the Provost.
Such units should be a "within-department" activity and should be exclusively supported by "within-department" funds. These units should not be named
"center" or "institute" unless their title clearly indicates that they are "within-department" activities. (OP 30.17)
Faculty Senate
The Faculty Senate is composed of senators representing the voting faculty of Texas Tech University. The voting faculty consists of all persons under
full-time contract who have completed a residence of one year at the University and who are tenured or, in the case of librarians and archivists, are on
continuing appointment or who hold appointments that make them eligible for tenure or continuing appointment. Membership of the Faculty Senate includes one
senator for each twenty voting faculty members or fraction thereof from each unit, but not fewer than two senators, and nine additional senators at-large. The
Senate elects a President, Vice President, and Secretary from its membership to serve a term of one year.
The Faculty Senate acts on behalf of the faculty and serves as an advisory body to the President of the University and may consider all matters of
University concern. Any member of the University community may bring a matter of University concern to the attention of the Senate. The Senate may
make recommendations to the President of the University concerning the academic functions of the University, academic freedom, and other matters pertaining
to the welfare of the University, particularly those of special interest to the faculty. If the President chooses not to follow a recommendation of the Faculty
Senate, the President shall inform the Senate in writing of the reasons and, on request of the Senate, the President shall meet with the Senate for discussion of
the matter.
The Texas Tech University Faculty Senate is a member of the Council of Faculty Governance Organizations.
Graduate Affairs
The Graduate Dean is responsible for administering the graduate affairs of Texas Tech University.
Graduate Faculty
Graduate Faculty are responsible for the graduate instruction of the University. Members participate in all phases of the graduate program, assist
in determining policy, and elect members to the Graduate Council. Membership is a means of recognizing faculty members for scholarly activities,
creativity, direction of graduate research and study, and other contributions to the graduate programs of the University and the Health Sciences Center.
University-wide criteria for graduate faculty membership are as follows: (1)Possession of the terminal academic degree in the field or recognition for substantive and
distinctive contributions to the discipline involved. (2)Evidence of current interest and involvement in scholarly research and/or creative productivity.
(3)Successful experience in the teaching, counseling, and/or direction of students at the graduate level.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council, assisted by the graduate faculty, is responsible for formulating the policies of the Graduate School and the requirements for
graduate degrees. These policies are administered by the Graduate Dean. The Graduate Council is composed of ten members elected by the graduate faculty and
two members appointed by the Graduate Dean, with representation from each college, plus one graduate faculty member chosen by the Faculty Senate to
represent that body. The Graduate Dean is ex officio
chairperson of the council; associate deans are ex officio
and nonvoting members as is the Provost or a
designated representative. Other ex officio members include a representative from the Library, the Health Sciences Center, Student Affairs, the School of Nursing,
and Texas Tech University Press. Elective members serve three years and are not eligible for immediate reelection unless they have been chosen to fill an
unexpired term. Appointive members serve two years. By a system of rotation, some new members join the council each year, replacing those whose terms have expired.
One nonvoting graduate student member is chosen annually by the Graduate Dean.
University Councils and Committees
Standing councils and committees are appointed to serve the needs and interests of Texas Tech University. These bodies, most of which have faculty,
student, and administrative representation, are an important element in the effective functioning of the institution. The collective ability, knowledge, and
competency of council and committee members are an invaluable resource to the administration as it seeks to make Texas Tech a truly outstanding educational
institution that will serve Texas and the entire nation. By their membership on University councils and committees, faculty members participate in and
contribute substantially to the activities and operations of the University, especially in academic affairs.
Councils and committees are advisory bodies, unless specifically charged with other responsibilities. It is not intended that they assume the authority
and responsibility assigned to offices within the administrative structure. Ideas and suggestions from these groups are, however, of great value to
administrators in their continuing efforts to improve operations of the institution and in broadening the base for decision making. In addition to contributing to the
orderly and objective administration of the University, councils and committees afford the members an opportunity to participate in the governance process, to
enhance their personal and professional growth, and to broaden their knowledge of the operations and activities of the institution.
Details of the councils and committees are contained in the
Directory of Standing Councils and Committees which is published annually and kept up
to date by announced changes throughout the year. Copies of the Directory are available for reference in all offices through the departmental level and in
the Library. The Directory should be consulted for the latest and most accurate information on councils and committees because membership,
responsibilities, administrative procedures, etc., are subject to change.
Generally, faculty members are appointed to councils and committees from a list of nominees provided by the Faculty Senate. Appointments are made
by the individual to whom the council or committee reports. Some council or committee members may be selected by another procedurenamely,
ex officioor by an election. Each charge sheet in the Directory specifies how a council or committee membership is determined.
Currently, the Standing Councils and Committees are as follows:
Councils
Committees
Faculty Senate Standing Committees*
*These bodies are not standing committees of the University. They are listed as a matter of information and convenience.
Special Committees
Page Administrator: Gale Richardson
LAST UPDATE: 8-1-98
Academic Council
Athletic Council
Graduate Council
Honors and Awards Council
International Affairs Council
Provost Council
University Honors Program Advisory Council
ADA/504 Compliance Advisory Committee
Affirmative Action Committee
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Awareness Committee
Artists and Speakers Committee
Benefits and Retirement Committee
Bookstore Advisory Committee
Code of Student Conduct Committee
Convocations Committee
Elections Committee
Faculty Development Committee
Faculty Grievance Panel
General Education Committee
Intellectual Property Rights Committee
Library Committee
Panel for Tenure Hearing Committee
Parking Violation Appeals and Parking Policy Advisory Committee
Personal Safety Awareness Committee
Recruitment, Admissions, and Retention Committee
Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee
Student Financial Aids-Scholarship Committee
Student Publications Committee
Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center Advisory Committee
Tenure Advisory Committee
University Center Advisory Board
University Discipline Committee
University Discipline Appeals Committee
University Press Editorial Committee
Faculty Senate
Academic Programs Committee
Budget Study Committee
Faculty Status and Welfare Committee
Faculty Performance Study Committee
Hall-Wall of Honor Committee
Committee on Committees
Study Committee A
Study Committee B
Study Committee C
Animal Care and Use Committee
Biosafety Committee
Chemical Safety Committee
Protection of Human Subjects Committee
Radiation and Laser Safety Committee
Safety Coordinators Committee
University Safety and Health Committee
Return to Contents Page
Page Maintained by: Cheryl Hedlund