This document outlines key principles and general guidelines the University will use when considering the creation of a new academic School from existing departments within Colleges. While the specific steps involved in implementing such a plan may vary, these principles are intended to provide a consistent framework. They may also be adapted to guide related institutional processes.
These guidelines establish the criteria, process, and governance structure for the formation in a College of an academic School through the merger of two or more existing academic departments. The intent is to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research, strengthen academic programs, enhance external research competitiveness, and improve institutional alignment while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
These guidelines apply to proposals in which two or more academic departments seek to merge to form a School. The resulting School shall operate as a single academic unit and shall not contain departments or divisions within its structure.
- Interdisciplinary Integration
- The participating departments must demonstrate a clear and sustained commitment to collaboration in research, teaching, and service.
- The proposal must articulate shared or complementary research themes, clusters of excellence, or problem-focused areas that benefit from integration across disciplines.
- Evidence of existing or planned collaborative research activity (e.g., joint grants and publications, shared facilities, or research initiatives) must be provided.
- Academic Scale and Capacity
- Participating departments must be medium to large in size, as demonstrated by possession of the following:
- Student enrollment (undergraduate and/or graduate)
- Faculty size sufficient to sustain interdisciplinary research programs, academic offerings, and governance responsibilities at the School level.
- Participating departments must be medium to large in size, as demonstrated by possession of the following:
- Cost Neutrality
- No new permanent funding, administrative lines, or recurring budget increases may be required as a condition of approval.
- Administrative efficiencies, reallocation of existing resources, or consolidation of roles must be clearly identified in the proposal.
- Academic and Research Justification
- The proposal must demonstrate that the School structure provides added value beyond a departmental merger, including but not limited to:
- Enhanced interdisciplinary research productivity and competitiveness for external funding,
- Increased visibility and impact of research addressing complex societal or scientific challenges,
- Improved student engagement in research experiences, and
- Strategic alignment with institutional research priorities.
- The proposal must demonstrate that the School structure provides added value beyond a departmental merger, including but not limited to:
- School Structure
- The School shall function as a single academic unit and shall not contain subordinate departments.
- All faculty, staff, programs, and research activities previously housed in the participating departments shall be housed within the School.
- Leadership
- The academic leader of the School shall hold the title of chair.
- The chair shall report to the dean of the College in which the School is housed.
- Governance
- The School shall develop bylaws and governance structures consistent with college and University policies.
- Faculty governance within the School shall ensure equitable representation of disciplinary perspectives and research initiatives.
- The new name for the School within the College will be clearly communicated with updated websites, within the University catalog, as well as with our accreditation bodies.
- Faculty Appointments and Status
- Faculty appointments, tenure status, rank, and primary academic responsibilities shall not be altered as a result of the formation of the School.
- Tenure and Promotion
- Evaluation committees shall remain consistent with existing practice for a transition period.
- Current faculty shall continue to be evaluated for tenure and promotion under their existing departmental tenure and promotion guidelines following the formation of the School.
- Faculty within the School shall engage in a faculty-led process to develop School-level tenure and promotion guidelines that appropriately reflect and reward interdisciplinary research and scholarship.
- The development and approval of School-level guidelines shall follow established College and University governance procedures.
- Once approved, School-level guidelines shall apply prospectively and shall not be applied retroactively to faculty already in rank or under review unless explicitly elected by the faculty member.
- Existing degree programs and research initiatives shall continue without interruption unless modified through established governance processes.
- The School may develop new interdisciplinary academic and research programs consistent with its mission and available resources.