PART I: Delegations of Authority

Chapter 12

THE ADMINISTRATION

Section 12-01. The President: Statutory Provisions Relating to the President [For the text of statutory provisions relating to powers and duties of the President, see Volume I, "Statutes," RCW 28B.20.130(2), 28B.10.528, and 28B.20.200.]

Section 12-11. The President and Other Officers

  1. The President of the University shall be elected by the Board upon receiving the affirmative votes of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Board, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The President of the University shall be the chief executive officer of the University and shall be responsible directly to the Board for the management and conduct of all the affairs of the University except those which by law, these By-laws, the Standing Orders, or other orders of the Board are the specific responsibility of other persons or bodies. The President of the University is authorized to attend all regular and special meetings of the Board and its committees unless requested otherwise in specific instances by the Board or committee, and is authorized to bring matters before the Board or any of its committees for discussion and action.

  2. The President of the University is authorized and encouraged to recommend for appointment by the Board such number of vice presidents, deans, and other officers as may be necessary for assistance in carrying out efficiently the manifold responsibilities of the chief executive officer of the University. All such officers of the University shall be under the general supervision of and shall exercise such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the President of the University.

By-laws of the Board of Regents, Article IV, September 17, 1971, as amended January 21, 1972, December 17, 1976

Section 12-12. Delegation of Authority to the President and Channel of Authority

  1. Authority of the Board. Under state law the Board of Regents has full control of the University and its property of various kinds. Any authority delegated by the Board shall always be subject to the ultimate authority of the Board. In retaining the ultimate authority over the University with which it is charged by law to exercise within constitutional and statutory limitations, the Board shall exercise the right of periodic review of any and all aspects of government of the University, the right to intervene and modify any rule, regulation, or executive order formulated by the President or the faculty, the right to amend or rescind any existing rule, regulation, or executive order, and the right to enact such rules, regulations, and orders as it deems proper for the government of the University.

  2. Government of the University. For the purpose of effecting the government of the University under and by the Board of Regents, the President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents in formulating, prescribing and issuing rules, regulations, and executive orders not inconsistent with the By-laws, Standing Orders, and other orders of the Board and applicable state law for the immediate government of the University. The President is specifically authorized to establish emergency rules and amendments; to establish expedited rules and amendments in order to correct typographical errors, make address changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect; and to make expedited repeals. In carrying out these duties, the President or the President's designee shall consult the University faculty and may delegate in whole or in part the responsibility for formulating such rules, regulations, and executive orders to said faculty. It is not intended that such consultation or delegation shall remove from the President or the President's designee the authority and the responsibility vested in the President by the Board of Regents for such decisions, among others, as those concerning the utilization of available resources, organizational structure, and administrative personnel.

    The channel of authority from the Board of Regents to the faculty, staff, and other officers and employees of the University shall be through the President of the University. All faculty, staff, and other officers and employees of the University shall, through appropriate channels, be responsible to the President of the University and through the President to the Board of Regents.

  3. Faculty, Classified Staff, and Professional Personnel. The President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents regarding all personnel and employment matters concerning the faculty, classified staff, and professional personnel except the following: new appointments of vice presidents, deans, department chairs, and directors of academic units; new appointments to the rank of professor, associate professor, and assistant professor; new appointments to faculty positions with tenure; new appointments of full-time instructors and lecturers; new appointments of full-time acting and visiting faculty in professorial ranks, instructorships, and lectureships; appointments to endowed chairs or professorships; appointments of distinguished visitors; policy changes in retirement, insurance, and other fringe benefit provisions; and initial collective bargaining agreements with representatives of newly certified bargaining units.

  4. Grant and Contract Awards. The President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents regarding all matters concerning grants and contracts for research, development, service, and training except the acceptance of initial contract awards exceeding $1,000,000: provided, that the President or the President's designee is authorized to accept initial contract awards exceeding $1,000,000 whenever the period between scheduled Board of Regents meetings exceeds 45 days, with a report of all such awards to be submitted to the next scheduled monthly meeting of the Board.

  5. Student Body. The President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents in the management of the student body and other matters incident thereto, including athletics, except the following: the establishment of written standards of student conduct and formal hearing procedures for student discipline.

  6. Execution of Instruments, Business Affairs, and Operations. The President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents regarding the execution and administration of instruments and the general business and financial affairs of the University which occur in the usual course of business except the following:

    1. The naming of University buildings or outdoor areas in recognition of individuals or organizations;

    2. The execution of instruments relating to real property, including the Metropolitan Tract, where the anticipated cost or value to the University exceeds $1,000,000;

    3. The appointment of external auditors; insurance brokers; investment bankers, managers and advisers; and financial custodians;

    4. The selection of depositories other than national or state chartered institutions;

    5. The use of University facilities by individuals or organizations for non-University events that would significantly affect normal campus activities or the surrounding community;

    6. Any instrument, prior to its execution, that the President, the Executive Vice President, or any Regent deems appropriate for Regental consideration;

    7. When a capital project budget is anticipated to exceed $1,000,000, approval of that capital project budget, appointment of project architects, award of construction contracts, and single increases to the capital project budget where the increase is greater than 10% of the approved project budget. However, when the anticipated capital project budget exceeds $1,000,000 and is less than $5,000,000, the President or the President's designee may approve and execute all instruments related to the capital project and report all such actions to the Board of Regents no less often than quarterly.

    8. The execution of any other instruments, including but not limited to instruments related to acquisitions of goods and services, where the anticipated cost or value to the University exceeds $1,000,000. However, when the cost or value to the University exceeds $1,000,000 and is less than $5,000,000, the President or the President's designee may approve and execute the instruments and report all such actions to the Board of Regents no less often than quarterly. When the ultimate aggregate cost to the University is not known in advance for instruments relating to the acquisition of goods or services on a continuing or intermittent basis (e.g. rental, service, or supply contracts), the amounts set forth in this paragraph shall be calculated on a per month basis.

    9. Notwithstanding the dollar limits specified in 2, 7, and 8, the President or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents regarding the execution and administration of all instruments, business affairs, and operations relating to:

      1. The procurement of utility services;

      2. Subcontracts for collaborative research entered into in furtherance of sponsored research programs;

      3. The procurement of goods and services made by participating in contracts entered into by nonprofit cooperative hospital group purchasing organizations, or awarded by the state of Washington Department of General Administration and Department of Information Services;

      4. The procurement of equipment and furnishings that are included in capital project budgets that have been authorized by the Board of Regents;

      5. The procurement of goods and services for sponsored research programs when the source of the goods or services is directed by the sponsor, or the sponsor retains title to the goods acquired;

      6. The settlement of claims or lawsuits brought against the University;

      7. The procurement of property or casualty insurance;

      8. Leases of real property and modifications thereto of up to 20 years;

      9. Deferred gift assets;

      10. Real property acquired through gift or devise;

      11. Actions necessary to protect the University's interests and operations in response to an emergency situation; and

      12. The execution of all time-critical instruments and business affairs requiring action between scheduled Board of Regents meetings, provided that the President of the University or the President's designee secures approval of the Chair or Vice Chair of the appropriate Regents Committee and submits a report of any actions taken pursuant to this delegation to the Board of Regents at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

  7. Commencement of Legal Action. The President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents regarding all legal action necessary to protect the interests of the University: provided, that no litigation shall be instituted against a public entity or official or in exercise of the power of eminent domain without consultation with the President of the Board of Regents or, in the absence of the President, the Vice President of the Board of Regents.

  8. Gift Evaluation and Acceptance. The Board of Regents of the University of Washington authorizes the President, or the President's designee, to accept all current and deferred gifts to the University, including gifts to establish quasi-endowed or permanently endowed funds.

    1. Not included in this delegation are the following:

      1. Gifts to the University of Washington Foundation, which shall continue to be accepted by the University of Washington Foundation in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement for Services between the University and the Foundation dated October 18, 1988 (as may be amended from time to time);

      2. Gifts that create obligations on the part of the University for expenditures or costs for which there is no established funding source;

      3. Gifts with a value exceeding $5,000,000 which are:

        1. for construction of facilities not previously approved, or

        2. of non-traditional investment assets (such as real estate, debt instruments, closely held stock, partnership interests, permanent insurance policies, royalties, copyrights, licenses, and other illiquid assets); provided such gifts with a value between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 will be reported to the Board of Regents quarterly;

      4. A gift requiring naming of a permanent University building; and
      5. Any other gift that the President, the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, or any Regent deems appropriate for Regental consideration.

    2. Concurrence Required in Certain Gift Transactions

      1. The following types of gifts shall be accepted only upon the recommendation of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and the concurrence of the Treasurer of the Board of Regents, or their designees:

        1. Current gifts of non-traditional investment assets, charitable lead trusts where the University is to act as trustee, bargain sale gifts of property, and partial interest gifts.

        2. Deferred gifts, if the University is to act as trustee or custodian of the deferred gift.

      2. Gifts of real estate, interests in real estate, or gifts of debt instruments secured by real estate shall be accepted only with the concurrence of the University's Real Estate Officer. The Real Estate Officer shall determine in each such case whether a hazardous waste inquiry or other due diligence is required, and the scope and extent of such inquiry. The Real Estate Office, in consultation with the Development Office, shall establish further policies and procedures regarding evaluation of gifts of real estate, as may be necessary or desirable from time to time. The Real Estate Officer shall, when appropriate, engage the Attorney General, or a Special Assistant Attorney General appointed thereby, in legal matters pertaining to the evaluation and administration of gift real property.
      3. Gift credit for discounted purchases shall be awarded only upon the recommendation of the Dean or Director of the recipient unit and the Director of Corporation/Foundation Relations, and the concurrence of the Executive Vice President or designee.
      4. Any gift with unusual terms or conditions affecting an academic program shall be accepted only with the concurrence of the Provost, or the Provost's designee, to the proposed terms or conditions.

    3. Use of Legal Counsel The President shall, when appropriate, engage the Attorney General, or a Special Assistant Attorney General appointed thereby, in legal matters pertaining to the Development Program. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations or the Vice President's designee shall assist the President in evaluating technical considerations regarding gift acceptance, and shall advise the Financial Management staff of potential fiduciary concerns affecting the administration of charitable trusts and life income gifts.

      All written agreements substantially shall follow the format of the specimen gift agreements approved by the Office of the Attorney General. Because the University does not provide legal advice to prospective donors, all prospective donors shall be urged to seek their own legal counsel in matters relating to their gift planning, taxes, and estate planning.

    4. Negotiation of Planned Gifts. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and the Vice President's designees charged with securing deferred gifts are authorized to negotiate with prospective donors regarding the terms of lead trusts, partial interest gifts, bargain sale gifts, gifts of non-traditional investment assets and deferred gifts benefiting the University, following program guidelines and prototype agreements approved by the Office of the Attorney General. Where appropriate, they shall consult with the Treasurer of the Board of Regents and the Real Estate Officer in negotiating such gifts.

  9. Disposition of Gifts. The proceeds of any gift, devise, bequest, or contribution received by the University shall be administered in accordance with the intention of the donor and any directions of the Board of Regents in accepting the gift. The President of the University or the President's designee is authorized to act for the Board of Regents regarding:

    1. The disposition of gifts; and

    2. The expenditure of the accumulated and current income of the Walker-Ames Fund in accordance with the terms of the resolution and memorandum of agreement adopted by the Board on August 29, 1931: provided, that a plan for such expenditures has been first approved by the President and the Vice President of the Board.

Standing Orders of the Board of Regents, Chapter I, September 17, 1971, revised June 23, 1972; January 9, 1981; July 11, 1985; February 5, 1992; March 20, 1992; January 21, 2000; September 17, 2004; March 19, 2009

Section 12-20.* The Office of the President The Office of the President of the University consists of the President, the Provost, the several Vice Presidents, and other administrative officers and staff who report directly to the President. These general officers of the University exercise such powers and duties as prescribed by the President.

Executive Order No. 1 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978, October 1, 1982

* This exception to the numbering system has been made to accommodate added material.

Section 12-21. The President

A. Functions and Responsibilities

As the chief executive officer of the University, the President has responsibility for the general welfare of the institution, including its programs in instruction, research, and public service. The President is responsible directly to the Board of Regents for the management of the University. The President is the University community's official representative to the Board of Regents. For example, the President is authorized to bring matters to the Board of Regents, or to any of its committees for action. With the advice and consent of the Board of Regents, and after consultation with the Provost, other appropriate members of the University administration, and such groups as the Faculty Senate, the President develops and directs the administration of policies, regulations, and procedures that affect the entire University. The establishment and maintenance of effective relationships with officers of federal and local governments, including the Governor, the State Legislature, members of Congress, and Federal agencies are among the important continuing responsibilities of the President. The President represents the University before the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HEC Board) and to the presidents of other state higher education institutions. The President also serves as the University's principal liaison officer with such other external bodies as national higher education associations, accrediting agencies, the chief executive officers of the member institutions of the Pacific Athletic Conference (Pac-10), and a variety of other organizations. In addition to communication and interaction with the faculty, staff, and the student body, the President is concerned with a number of important external support groups and constituencies identified with the institution's diverse interests, such as alumni, advisory, and visiting committees; private donors; and civic, professional, and community organizations.

Executive Order No. 2 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; October 1, 1982

B. Executive Order and Administrative Order Procedure

1.  Before an Executive Order is promulgated or revised by the President, it shall be reviewed by the Faculty Senate. Additionally, the President may request reviews of the Executive Order from other individuals or campus bodies as desired. The President shall forward the proposed Executive Order (or revision) to the Faculty Senate Chair and to the Secretary of the Faculty, noting reviews that have taken place and requesting appropriate Faculty Senate review. The Faculty Senate Chair shall arrange a review and notify the President of the outcome of the review within a reasonable time, but in any event no longer than sixty days after receipt of such request for review. If revisions to the proposed order suggested by the Faculty Senate are not approved by the President, there shall be consultations with the Chair of the Faculty Senate to seek to resolve the differences. Following such consultations, the decision of the President is final. When signed by the President, the original of the Executive Order shall be retained in the Executive Order file in the President's Office. The Rules Coordination Office shall assign a number to any new Executive Order and publish all orders. Executive Orders become effective on the day signed by the President, unless otherwise noted within the text of the order.

2.  Administrative Orders are delegations of authority to University personnel for specific functions and are promulgated or revised by the President without required reviews, as they may involve timely deadlines for compliance with state or federal laws. However, Administrative Orders may be reviewed by individuals or campus bodies as desired by the President prior to finalization. When signed by the President, the original Administrative Order shall be retained in the Administrative Order file in the President's Office. The Rules Coordination Office shall assign a number to any new Administrative Order and publish all orders. Administrative Orders become effective on the day signed by the President, unless otherwise noted within the text of the order.

3.  Upon verification, housekeeping changes for both Executive Orders and Administrative Orders may be made by the President's Office or the Rules Coordination Office to correct typographical errors; make address, organization name, or job title changes; or clarify language of an order without changing its effect. These housekeeping changes shall also be retained in the appropriate file in the President's Office and published by the Rules Coordination Office.

Executive Order No. 3 of the President, June 12, 1996, revised January 6, 2003; May 11, 2007.

C. Delegation of Presidential Authority

1. Business and Financial Affairs

A.      Except as otherwise provided in other Administrative Orders or Sections B through E below, or unless otherwise expressly delegated, the Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President’s designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the execution and administration of instruments and the general business and financial affairs of the University which occur in the course of business, except the following:

1.       Initial collective bargaining agreements with representatives of newly certified bargaining units;

2.       The naming of University buildings or outdoor areas in recognition of individuals or organizations;

3.       The execution of instruments relating to real property, including the Metropolitan Tract, where the anticipated cost or value to the University exceeds $1,000,000;

4.       The appointment of external auditors; insurance brokers; investment bankers, managers and advisors; and financial custodians;

5.       The selection of depositories other than national or state chartered institutions;

6.       The use of University facilities by individuals or organizations for non-University events that would significantly affect normal campus activities or the surrounding community;

7.       Any instrument, prior to its execution, that the President, the Executive Vice President, or any Regent deems appropriate for Regental consideration;

8.       When a capital project budget is anticipated to exceed $1,000,000, approval of that capital project budget, appointment of project architects, award of construction contracts, and single increases to the capital project budget where the increase is greater than 10% of the approved project budget. However, when the anticipated capital project budget exceeds $1,000,000 and is less than $5,000,000, the Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President’s designee may approve and execute all instruments related to the capital project and report all such actions to the Board of Regents no less often than quarterly.

9.       The execution of any other instruments, including but not limited to instruments related to acquisitions of goods and services, where the anticipated cost or value to the University exceeds $1,000,000. However, when the cost or value to the University exceeds $1,000,000 and is less than $5,000,000, the Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President’s designee may approve and execute the instruments and report all such actions to the Board of Regents no less often than quarterly. When the ultimate aggregate cost to the University is not known in advance for instruments relating to the acquisition of goods or services on a continuing or intermittent basis (e.g., rental, service, or supply contracts), the amounts set forth in this paragraph shall be calculated on a per month basis.

10.   Notwithstanding the dollar limits specified in 3, 8 and 9, above, the Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President’s designee is authorized to act for the President regarding the execution and administration of all instruments that have been delegated to the President by the Board of Regents and have not been delegated elsewhere under Sections B through E below or under other Administrative Orders. This authority specifically includes instruments relating to:

a.       The procurement of utility services;

b.       Subcontracts for collaborative research entered into in furtherance of sponsored research programs;

c.       The procurement of goods and services made by participating in contracts entered into by nonprofit cooperative hospital group purchasing organizations, or awarded by the state of Washington Department of General Administration and Department of Information Services;

d.       The procurement of equipment and furnishings that are included in capital project budgets that have been authorized by the Board of Regents;

e.       The procurement of goods and services for sponsored research programs when the source of the goods or services is directed by the sponsor, or the sponsor retains title to the goods acquired;

f.       The settlement of claims or lawsuits brought against the University;

g.       The procurement of property or casualty insurance;

h.       Leases of real property and modifications thereto of up to 20 years;

i.       Deferred gift assets;

j.       Real property acquired through gift or devise;

k.       Financing documents related to the financing or refinancing of real or personal property up to a term of 30 years;

l.       Actions necessary to protect the University’s interests in response to an emergency situation arising out of a fire or other casualty; and

m.       The execution of all time-critical instruments and business affairs requiring action between scheduled Board of Regents meetings provided that the Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President’s designee secures approval of the Chair or Vice Chair of the appropriate Regents Committee and submits a report of any actions taken pursuant to this delegation to the Board of Regents at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

B.      The Vice President for Student Affairs or the Vice President for Student Affairs’ designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the execution and administration of the following types of agreements, except agreements in excess of $1,000,000 in cost or value to the University:

1.       Work-study agreements;

2.       Agreements for the rental or use of University facilities under the management of the Vice President for Student Affairs;

3.       Agreements for student activities sponsored by the Associated Students for the University of Washington (ASUW) or the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS); and

4.       Other agreements for the provision of student services, programs and activities for which the Vice President for Student Affairs has been assigned administrative responsibility.

C.      Except as provided in Sections D and E below, the Provost or the Provost’s designee is authorized to act for the President regarding the execution and administration of affiliation agreements involving academic units.

D.      The Vice President for Medical Affairs or the Vice President for Medical Affairs’ designee is authorized to act for the President regarding the execution and administration of:

  1. Affiliation agreements, patient care agreements, and other agreements involving the School of Medicine, the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, or other hospitals or clinics owned or managed by the University, where the anticipated cost to the University does not exceed $1,000,000 and the authority to execute such agreements has not been delegated to another officer of the University; and
  2. The following instruments which occur in the usual course of business for Harborview Medical Center:

a.       Instruments relating to the acquisition of goods or services where the cost to Harborview Medical Center does not exceed $1,000,000, provided, that for instruments relating to the acquisition of goods or services on a continuing or intermittent basis (e.g. rental, service or supply contracts) where the ultimate aggregate cost to Harborview Medical Center is not known in advance, this delegation shall apply only when the expected cost to Harborview Medical Center does not exceed $1,000,000 per month;

b.       Documents relating to the procurement of utility services for Harborview Medical Center;

c.       Documents necessary to protect Harborview Medical Center’s interests in response to an emergency situation arising out of fire or other casualty; and

d.       Leases of any real property for a period less than thirty days.

E.      The Executive Director of Health Sciences Administration or the Executive Director of Health Sciences Administration’s designee is authorized to act for the President regarding the execution and administration of affiliation agreements, patient care agreements, and other agreements relating to Health Sciences schools other than the School of Medicine, where the anticipated cost to the University does not exceed $1,000,000 and the authority to execute such agreements has not been delegated to another officer of the University.

Administrative Order No. 1 (Revised) April 5, 2001, May 10, 2005

2. Civil Disorders

a. In the event of any threatened or actual civil disorder on the campus of the University of Washington, Seattle at a time when the President of the University is absent from the campus, the authority to take all necessary and appropriate actions on behalf of the President of the University is hereby delegated to the following University officers in the order listed below, with such authority being delegated to the highest ranked University officer on the list whom the University Police Department is able to contact:

(1) Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

(2) Executive Vice President

(3) Vice Provost for Student Life

(4) Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

In the following circumstances, the Chief of the University Police Department or, in the Chief's absence, the senior on-call police supervisor, is hereby delegated the authority to take all necessary and appropriate actions on behalf of the President:

(1) When neither the President nor any of the University officers listed above can be contacted within a reasonable period of time, given the immediacy and other circumstances of the threatened or actual civil disorder.

(2) When an actual civil disorder is in progress, and immediate action is necessary to protect persons or property from further injury or damage.

b. In the event of any threatened or actual disorder on the campus of either the University of Washington, Bothell, or the University of Washington, Tacoma, the President delegates authority to take all necessary and appropriate actions on behalf of the University to the Chancellor of each of the respective campuses. The Chancellor shall keep the President as informed as reasonably possible of any threatened or actual disorder. In the event of the Chancellor’s absence, authority is delegated to the following officers, in order of availability.

For the University of Washington, Bothell:

(1) Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

(2) Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

(3) Director, Student Affairs.

For the University of Washington, Tacoma:

(1) Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

(2) Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

(3) Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Administrative Order No. 2 (Revised) June 4, 2001, September 20, 2006; March 7, 2007

3. Legal Actions

a. Except as provided in Section b below, or unless otherwise expressly delegated, the Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University in requesting the Attorney General's Office to commence legal actions on behalf of the Board of Regents which are necessary to protect the interests of the University: provided that no litigation shall be instituted against a public entity or official or in exercise of the power of eminent domain without consultation with the President of the Board of Regents or, in the absence of the President, the Vice President of the Board of Regents.

b. The Vice President for Student Affairs or the Vice President for Student Affairs' designee is authorized to act for the President of the University in requesting the Attorney General's Office to commence legal actions on behalf of the Board of Regents in cases where tenants in University student-housing facilities have defaulted in payment of rent or have failed to keep or perform other conditions or covenants of their leases or agreements with the University.

Administrative Order No. 3 (Revised) August 15, 2000.

4. Grant and Contract Awards and Amendments for Research, Development, Service and Training.

a. Except as provided in Section b below, the Provost or the Provost's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the powers and duties delegated to the President in Chapter I, Section 4 of the Standing Orders of the Board of Regents, effective January 21, 2000, including the execution of grant and contract awards for research, development, service and training, and agreements, assignments and other documents necessary for the implementation of the University's Copyright Policy and Patent and Invention Policy.

b. The Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding:

(1) Negotiation of indirect cost recovery rates; and

(2) Negotiation and resolution of audit disputes or other prior contract-related disputes.

Administrative Order No. 4 (Revised) August 15, 2000.

5. Gifts to the University

a. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations or the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations' designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the acceptance of gifts to the University as more fully provided in, and subject to the terms of, Section 8, Chapter I, Standing Orders of the Board of Regents, effective January 21, 2000.

b. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations or the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations' designee is further authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the acceptance of gifts for the University each year during the period following the December Board of Regents meeting and December 31, when the President of the University is absent during this time period.

c. The Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the disposition of gifts.

Administrative Order No. 5 (Revised) August 15, 2000.

6. Personnel Actions

a. The Provost or the Provost's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding all personnel and employment matters concerning academic personnel except the following: new appointments of deans, department chairs, and directors of academic units; new appointments to the rank of professor, associate professor, and assistant professor; new appointments to faculty positions with tenure; new appointments of full-time instructors and lecturers; new appointments of full-time acting and visiting faculty in professorial ranks, instructorships and lectureships; appointments to endowed chairs or professorships; and appointments of distinguished visitors.

b. Except as provided in Sections c, d, and e below, the Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans, Executive Director of Hospitals, and Hospital Administrators are authorized to take all personnel actions concerning any University of Washington classified or professional staff employees within their respective organizations, subject to applicable Washington Personnel Resources Board or University personnel regulations and procedures; and the above-named University employing officials may further delegate to subordinate officers within their respective organizations the authority to take any or all personnel actions for employees under their supervision, provided that any such delegation to subordinate officers must be in writing.

c. The Senior Assistant Attorney General or the Senior Assistant Attorney General's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding the execution and administration of personnel actions concerning non-academic personnel within the Attorney General's Division at the University.

d. The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (Director) is authorized to act for the President of the University regarding personnel actions concerning all non-academic personnel employed by or volunteering for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Department); however, all head coach contracts will require a signature from both the Director and the President or the Special Assistant to the President for External Affairs or the Executive Assistant to the President. The Director may further delegate to subordinate officers within the Department the authority to take any or all personnel actions for employees under their supervision, provided that any such delegation to subordinate officers must be in writing. The Special Assistant to the President for External Affairs or the Executive Assistant to the President shall have authority to review personnel decisions as may be required by applicable University and Intercollegiate Athletic Department policies and procedures.

e. The Executive Vice President or the Executive Vice President's designee is authorized to act for the President of the University in exempting certain job classifications of nonacademic personnel, and regarding the execution and administration of all collective bargaining agreements, except initial collective bargaining agreements with representatives of newly certified bargaining units.

Administrative Order No. 6 (Revised) August 15, 2000; April 22, 2005; October 27, 2005

Section 12-22. The Provost

A. The Provost serves as deputy to the President, has responsibility for the development and implementation of the University's academic policies and programs and provides advice and assistance in these matters to the President, the deans and the faculty. The Provost provides leadership in educational and curriculum development, formulation and allocation of capital and operating budgets, management of academic and administrative personnel, allocation of space, and long-range University planning. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Provost chairs the University Budget Committee and the Facilities Resources Committee and receives advice from the Senate Committee on Planning and Budgeting. The Director of the University Libraries reports to the Provost in the formulation and implementation of library policy.

B. The Provost provides advice and assistance to the President in the presentation of academic and budget matters to the Board of Regents, the State Legislature and the Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Provost represents the University on the Interinstitutional Committee of Academic Officers, a group that provides liaison and coordination of academic matters among the state's public four-year institutions of higher education.

C. The major areas of responsibility of the Office of the Provost are as follows:

  1. Academic Personnel
    The Provost is responsible for the interpretation and implementation of University policies and procedures on appointment and retention of members of the faculty; provides leadership on academic matters through the Faculty Councils and the deans; reviews recommendations for faculty appointments, salary increases and adjustments, and the awarding of tenure and promotion. Through the Office of Academic Personnel, the Provost maintains records of personnel actions on all members of the University faculty. The Provost, through the Office of Equal Employment and Affirmative Action, is charged with overall responsibility for assuring compliance with the University's Affirmative Action Program.
  2. Enrollment
    The Provost has primary responsibility for student enrollment policies and limitations at the University; for managing, with the assistance of the Office of Planning and Budgeting, the fiscal implications of enrollment decisions, and for initiating study and research in the areas of enrollment.
  3. Curricular Programs and Educational Development
    The Provost, working with the faculty, reviews and counsels with respect to the appropriateness and feasibility of curricular program revisions, discontinuance of programs, and course additions and revisions; conducts curricular research and study; stimulates discussion of new education issues and disseminates related information; considers and initiates programs in faculty development and educational improvement; and recommends appropriate action by the President. The Provost is assisted in these matters by the Vice Provosts and the several offices reporting to them, including the Office of Educational Assessment, International Programs and Exchanges, and the Center for Instructional Development and Research.
  4. Undergraduate Education
    The foundation of the University is its outstanding undergraduate programs. The Provost, assisted by the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, and the Deans of the Schools and Colleges, is responsible for ensuring the quality of its undergraduate offerings and their coordination. Through the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, premajor students are provided orientation, advising, special freshman educational assistance programs, internship opportunities, public service opportunities and scholarship assistance. Interdisciplinary and general education programs, honors and college studies programs, and a growing number of specialized and innovative degree options are fostered and administered by the Office of Undergraduate Education. General campus undergraduate support services, including maintenance, repair and renovation of general assignment classrooms and media support, are coordinated through this Office.
  5. Graduate Education
    The Office of the Provost has responsibility for ensuring the University offers the highest quality graduate education possible. The Provost is assisted by the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School in overseeing these areas of responsibility. The Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School administers the Graduate School, coordinates and administers interdisciplinary graduate committees and certain interdisciplinary centers and institutes; and, with the assistance of the Graduate School Council, oversees the review and assessment of all graduate degree programs and makes recommendations on their approval, continuation, or discontinuation to the Provost. The Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School works closely with members of the University faculty who are involved with major institutional or interdisciplinary programs; provides administrative assistance in the development of proposals for support of such programs and administrative coordination after they are established. The Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School is responsible for all academic, policy and administrative matters related to the admission, continuation, dismissal, or completion of graduate students. The Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School administers the policies relating to Graduate Student Service Appointments. The Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School administers the Graduate School Research fund.
  6. Research
    The Office of the Provost has overall responsibility for management of the research programs of the University. The Provost is assisted by the Vice Provost for Research in carrying out these duties. This responsibility includes the review, through the Office of Grant and Contracts, of all proposals to outside agencies for support of research, University-administered traineeships and fellowships, institutes and special teaching programs, and other University activities which are to be supported wholly or partially with non-University funds. Vice Provost for Research has been designated as the person officially designated to approve, sign, and transmit such proposals on behalf of the University, subject to the referral of unusual or very large requests to the President for personal review and signature when required in particular instances by the granting agency. Other responsibilities of the Office of the Provost administered through the Vice Provost for Research include the following:
    a. The Vice Provost for Research, in consultation with deans, is responsible for the coordination of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional research facilities, centers and institutes including supervision of the Friday Harbor Laboratories, which offer instruction and research in marine sciences; and major institutional grants.
    b. The Vice Provost for Research, through the Human Subjects Office, is responsible for the protection of the rights, well-being, and personal privacy of human subjects used in research. The Office maintains all of the University's official records on investigations involving the use of human subjects and provides staff assistance for related institutional committees.
    c. The Vice Provost for Research, through the Office of Technology Transfer, is responsible for administering the University's Patent and Invention Policy, including activities to assure early recognition of new technology and to facilitate transfer of results of faculty research to the private sector.
  7. Planning and Budgeting
    The Provost is responsible for coordinating the University budgeting process, for academic program and resource planning, and for space allocation. The Office of Planning and Budgeting, administered by the Vice Provost for Planning and Budgeting, assists the Provost in these functions and provides staff support to the University Budget Committee in the areas of resource planning and budgeting, both operations and capital. The Office of Planning and Budgeting has three divisions.
    a. The Office of Institutional Studies is responsible for providing information services in support of long- and short-range decision-making policy-formation and planning for the University. In addition, this office administers several University-wide systems for the analysis of academic and resource information, including faculty workload and institutional profiles systems. Major reports include peer institution comparisons, faculty salary and related studies, academic profiles, enrollment projections, etc. Reporting of data resource and activity levels to external agencies such as the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Survey, NASULGC, and the AAU Data Exchange is coordinated through this office. General policy issues, coordination with other higher education institutions in the state, as well as nationally, and staff support for HECB projects are supported by the Institutional Studies Office.
    b. The Capital and Space Planning Office is responsible for coordinating academic facilities master plans, the capital budgeting process, developing the basis for the capital budget request, devising improvements to the capital planning system, and analyzing, submitting and justifying the capital request. It develops space planning standards and unit space allocations, and plans and directs the space management and allocation system. It also conducts space utilization studies, manages the University's classrooms, develops and implements methods of analysis and evaluation of physical facilities, and maintains building and room inventories of space. It provides
    ad hoc or advisory staff assistance to the University Budget Committee, the Capital and Facilities Resources Committees and planning committees. The Office provides information to the Office of Financial Management and legislative staff during their review of the capital request, and coordinates all matters of capital planning with the Office of Financial Management, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and other state institutions.
    c. The Budget Office monitors and maintains the University's operating budget and reports on the status of the budget to the administration. It analyzes units' requests for revisions to their budgets and makes recommendations regarding approval. It assists in preparation of the University's operating budget request, provides information and assistance to the Executive and Legislative branches during their review of the request, and participates in allocating the final legislative budget. The Budget Office also provides liaison with the Office of Financial Management and the HECB on budgeting matters.
  8. Educational Outreach
    The Office of the Provost has responsibility for educational outreach programs and is assisted by the Vice Provost for Educational Outreach in providing access to the Seattle campus through the Evening Degree Program, Summer Quarter, Extension and Distance Learning. In addition, the Vice Provost coordinates the Summer Quarter, Extension and Distance Learning activity for UW Bothell and UW Tacoma. The Vice Provost provides counsel for the Provost on policy, organizational and procedural issues for institutional continuing education activities and convenes the Continuing Education Board of Deans and Directors to consider issues of mutual interest and to facilitate communication throughout the University. The Vice Provost also serves as an ex officio member of the Faculty Council on Continuing Education and works closely with faculty to address and promote their interests.
    a. The Vice Provost for Educational Outreach, in consultation with deans, coordinates the development of planning for increasing the scope of Evening Degree Program degree offerings and provides the University-level budget management, needs assessments and student recruiting and advising necessary to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in the evening. The Vice Provost convenes the Evening Degree Program Advisory Board consisting of deans, faculty and administrators who participate in and support the program.
    b. The Vice Provost for Educational Outreach, in cooperation with colleges and schools, is responsible for the annual planning and administration of the University's Summer Quarter which serves matriculated UW students, returning teachers and nonmatriculated students from the region. The Summer Quarter Advisory Board, comprised of faculty, students and staff, provides policy and procedural advice to the Vice Provost.
    c. The Vice Provost for Educational Outreach provides the leadership and management of UW Extension which provides access for nonmatriculated students seeking professional and personal development to UW credit and UW-approved noncredit courses, certificate programs and workshops. All courses and instructors are approved by the appropriate UW academic colleges, schools and departments. The Vice Provost is advised by faculty and community professionals through several committees and more than thirty advisory boards in various fields of study.
    d. The Vice Provost for Educational Outreach, in cooperation with the schools and colleges, provides centralized coordination of the planning for the Distance Learning Degree Program and credit and noncredit courses through a distance learning format. Distance Learning also provides the infrastructure for the instructional design and delivery of courses and faculty and student support.

Executive Order No. 4 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; November 29, 1978; October 1, 1982; June 8, 1990; September 24, 1996

Section 12-23. The Vice Presidents

I. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities

A. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities is a participant in planning and policy making for the University as a whole, and shares a major responsibility with the President and the Provost and Executive Vice President for representing the University in political, business, and civic affairs. As the chief business and financial officer of the University, the Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities is responsible for the management of all of the financial and many of the administrative services of the institution. These responsibilities include controller and investment activities, sponsored project accounting, student fiscal services, physical plant/facility management and development, risk management, audit, and real estate. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Regents.

B. The responsibility of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities for these functions extends beyond the University to the interinstitutional level as the University of Washington member of the Interinstitutional Committee of Business Officers; to the state level in consultation with governmental agencies, and the Legislature and its committees; and to regional and national professional associations related to these responsibilities. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities participates with other University officers in maintaining liaison with community, city, and county representatives on matters pertaining to the University.

C. Financial, administrative, and facilities services are divided into functional groups and departments headed by individuals with the authority to conduct operations as delegated by the Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities.

  1. Facilities Services.
    The Associate Vice President for Facilities Services plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees all activities associated with the management and operations of University buildings and grounds, and the procurement and distribution systems for utilities for the UW Seattle campus. Responsibilities include custodial services, maintenance and alterations, engineering and operations, transportation services, and emergency management. UW Bothell, UW Tacoma, UW Medical Center, and Harborview Medical Center oversee and manage their respective facilities. University programs located in leased facilities work with the UW Real Estate Office for any facility operations needs.
  2. Capital Projects.
    The Capital Projects Office works closely with the Capital and Space Planning Office (CASPO) in Planning and Budgeting, which has responsibility for overall capital planning, including the institutional capital budget. Once an institutional decision has been made by the Provost and Executive Vice President and CASPO, the Associate Vice President for Capital Projects plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees activities associated with the planning, design, and new construction or improvements to the University's buildings and utilities. Responsibilities include project management for construction, remodeling, and renovation of University facilities; oversight of programming, feasibility studies, design, and project estimation; and coordination of the University’s Small Works Roster program.
  3. Controller.
    The Associate Vice President for Financial Management and Controller plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees basic financial and administrative services, including: accounting, taxes, purchasing and payables, payroll, travel, design/print/copy/mailing services, trademarks and licensing, and records management.
  4. Research and Student Fiscal Services.
    The Associate Vice President for Financial Management plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees services for:
    a. Student scholarship and loan fiscal activities, student loan collection, tuition and fee collection, financial aid disbursement, cashiering, receivables control and collection; and
    b. Sponsored project accounting, indirect cost rate determinations, and equipment inventory control; recharge center rate approvals; coordination of faculty effort reporting; coordination with federal agencies and auditors on fiscal matters; and representation of the University in cooperative institutional associations dealing with the fiscal aspects of sponsored programs.
  5. Treasury Office.
    The Associate Vice President for Treasury plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees services for:
    a. Management and administration of the University’s operating funds including facilitating the processing of security gifts;
    b. Issuing debt to fund capital projects and to acquire real and personal property, and oversight of the Internal Lending Program;
    c. Acquisition, disposition, and asset management of real property; and
    d. Protection of University resources and personnel against legal liability and certain property losses, programs to prevent or reduce such losses, and oversight of internal complaint investigations.
  6. Investment Office.
    The Chief Investment Officer is responsible for the investment and administration of the University of Washington's assets, including the Consolidated Endowment Fund, Invested Funds (operating funds), life income, and non-consolidated endowed gifts.
  7. Strategy Group.
    The Associate Vice President for the Strategy Group is responsible for providing strategic planning and management on behalf of the Finance and Facilities organization, identifying initiatives to improve service and efficiency; and ensuring quality and process improvement, leadership development, provision of staff training opportunities, and performance management. The Group also provides institutional decision support tools and services and leads the institutional business diversity program and administratively focused environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.
  8. Audit.
    The Executive Director of Audits is responsible for providing independent reviews of the administrative and accounting controls and management of University activities, regardless of their funding sources, and also provides liaison with auditors representing state and federal interests. Audit support provides liaison between auxiliary operations and private auditors retained to examine selected University accounts, and coordinates the single audit by state auditors.

Executive Order No. 5 of the President, July 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; November 29, 1978; October 1, 1982; August 24, 1984; March 10, 1987; February 10, 1988; May 21, 1990; May 24, 1994; September 24, 1996; August 21, 2002; June 30, 2009.

II. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UW Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Washington

A. The CEO, UW Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Washington (CEO, UW Medicine) is responsible for the UW Medicine health system and for resource management of the University of Washington's School of Medicine and the University’s owned and managed medical centers and their associated clinics and affiliated programs. The CEO, UW Medicine is also Dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine and has responsibility for the development and maintenance of academic programs in medical education, research and training. Advice and assistance concerning medical education and medical care delivery are provided to the President, Provost, and other vice presidents, and to deans, directors, faculty, and staff of the other health sciences schools. In addition, the CEO, UW Medicine jointly administers, with the cognate University-wide officer, UW Medicine development, legislative and community relations, risk management, and news and information services.

B. The CEO, UW Medicine cooperates with the Health Sciences Deans in the development of interdisciplinary approaches to the training of health professionals, administrators, and educators, and encourages the development of collaborative high-quality patient services at reasonable cost at the University's Medical Centers. Responsibilities for the School of Medicine and the medical centers include: the submission of operating and capital budgets, allocation of assigned space, and long-range planning for medical programs; advising the President and other University officials on all medical-related activities of the University of Washington; directing and coordinating, through subordinate managers, the planning and delivery of medical services in the University's medical centers and their associated clinics; and assuring facility and program accreditation, licensing, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement.

C. The School of Medicine vice deans and department chairs, the Clinical Operations Officer (COO), UW Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Washington (COO, UW Medicine); and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), UW Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Washington (CFO, UW Medicine) report directly to the CEO, UW Medicine. The Executive Directors of the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center report to the CEO, UW Medicine through the COO, UW Medicine. The CEO, UW Medicine is responsible for negotiating, executing (with University approval when appropriate), and maintaining extramural affiliation agreements involving medical affairs and medical center management contracts (e.g., Harborview Medical Center). The CEO, UW Medicine has oversight responsibility for the planning and delivery of medical services by University of Washington Physicians, Children’s University Medical Group (with Seattle Children’s), UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, and the University's owned and managed medical centers and their associated clinics. These responsibilities include determining the University's role in the delivery of medical services throughout the region. Assistance is provided by the Executive Directors of the University’s owned and managed medical centers and the medical centers' boards. The UW Medicine Board is accountable to the President and Board of Regents through the CEO, UW Medicine.

D. The CEO, UW Medicine is responsible for coordinating, within the guidelines set by the Office of the President, capital construction programs to provide facilities for the School of Medicine and the medical centers. Capital budget requests for UW Medicine are based on proposals made by the CEO, UW Medicine and medical center administrators, and approved by their respective boards. The CEO responsibilities include the assignment and reassignment of space assigned by the Office of the President to medical programs. Space allocations and modifications to space assigned to the School of Medicine or the medical centers are handled directly by the medical school or medical center administration.

E. The CEO, UW Medicine serves as Dean of the School of Medicine and in that capacity reports directly to the Provost for matters related to School of Medicine operating budgets, capital budgets, academic appointments and academic programs. The CEO, UW Medicine acts as an advisor to the President on all matters relating to the School of Medicine and the University's medical centers and their associated clinics.

F. The CEO, UW Medicine is a member of the Board of Health Sciences Deans, which includes as members the deans of the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work. The Board of Health Sciences Deans advises the Provost and the President on the activities and programs of health sciences.

G. The full title of the Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs is Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UW Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Washington.

Executive Order No. 6 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; October 1, 1982; May 21, 1990; February 24, 1994; September 24, 1996; March 27, 2009

III. The Vice President for Minority Affairs

A. The Vice President for Minority Affairs directs and coordinates all activities of the Office of Minority Affairs and serves as the principal assistant and advisor to the President on all matters relating to and serving the interest of underrepresented minority students and students who are educationally/economically disadvantaged, and to institutional issues that relate to diversity.

B. As the principal administrator of the programs that ensure a diverse student population, the Vice President for Minority Affairs is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Educational Opportunity Program, including its statewide high school and community college recruitment program; the Instructional Center; the Early Identification Program; the Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, and the Early Scholars Outreach Program. The activities of these programs are coordinated with colleges, schools, and departments of the University, and other campus agencies that have responsibility for meeting the needs of minority and disadvantaged students, including recruitment, admissions, orientation, academic and personal advising, financial aid, fund development, tutoring, and social and cultural activities. Faculty advice is sought from the Office of Minority Affairs Policy Advisory Board, and student advice from the Office of Minority Affairs Student Advisory Board.

C. The Vice President for Minority Affairs establishes and maintains affiliations with governmental and non-governmental organizations and agencies having a responsibility for and an interest in programs or projects designed to serve the needs of minorities and educationally/economically disadvantaged persons, especially those from the historically oppressed ethnic minorities. Advisory service is provided to a number of campus, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups in matters related to the improvement of educational and employment opportunities for ethnic minorities and disadvantaged students.

D. The major divisions of responsibility of the Vice President for Minority Affairs are as follows:

  1. Administration, Finance, and Supportive Services
    a. The Office of Minority Affairs coordinates and directs the recruitment, admission, orientation, personal counseling, and academic advising activities of the Office of Minority Affairs; directs the planning, preparation, justification, and management of the biennial budget and campus and off-campus fund-raising projects; develops the organization and staffing requirements necessary to support the Office of Minority Affairs; and designs, develops, and evaluates other special support programs.
    b. The Ethnic Cultural Center and Theater Complex, with assistance from the Student Advisory Board, promotes cultural and social activities for minority and educationally/economically disadvantaged students.
    c. The Instructional Center (IC) provides wide-ranging tutorial and instructional assistance and special programs for the improvement of math, science, reading and writing skills of students in the Educational Opportunity Program.
    d. The Early Scholars Outreach Program (ESOP) is a partnership program with middle schools in the state. The ESOP provides tutoring and mentoring for middle school students.
    e. The Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and Talent Search programs provide for academic skill development and career development of students in middle schools, high schools, and at the University of Washington. These programs are funded from the Department of Education under the Trio program.
    f. The Early Identification Program (EIP) provides for access to graduate and professional schools for underrepresented minority students.
  2. Graduate and Professional Students Programs
    In cooperation with the Dean of the Graduate School, the Vice President for Health Sciences, and the deans of the professional schools, the Vice President for Minority Affairs develops and coordinates special programs in support of minority graduate and professional students.

Executive Order No. 7 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; October 1, 1982; September 24, 1996

IV. The Vice President for Human Resources

A. Except for those personnel functions delegated to the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Vice President for Human Resources or the Vice President’s designee is authorized to (i) act for the President of the University to administer human resources and employment functions and (ii) advise the President, Provost and Executive Vice President, Chancellors, Deans, Vice Presidents, and other executive officers on matters relating to human resources administration. The Vice President for Human Resources also is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with applicable laws and regulations and for establishing the administrative structure and functions necessary to carry out and deliver human resources programs and services.

B. The Vice President for Human Resources or the Vice President's designee has delegated authority for the following functions:

  1. Benefits Pograms Administration
    This function includes the oversight and administration of the following:  retirement and insurance programs, retirement plan documents, optional saving and investment programs, the wellness program, and such other related programs as may be necessary or desirable for the University to remain a competitive employer; except that policy changes in retirement and insurance programs require the approval of the Board of Regents.
  2. Compensation
    This function encompasses all activities related to the establishment and administration of employee pay plans, job title assignment, and job classification, except for activities related to actual payroll process administration. Compensation includes development and administration of equitable pay practices, conduct and/or oversight of the conduct of salary surveys, evaluation and analysis of employment marketplace data to assess its impact on and relevance to University compensation practices, and the support of other human resources functions, such as labor relations, by providing and analyzing data regarding compensation practices.
  3. Exemption from Civil Service and Reversion Process Administration
    Exempting positions from civil service involves interpreting the exemption criteria specified in RCW 41.06.070 and applying these criteria to University positions to determine if the positions are properly exempted from the state’s civil service system and therefore should be placed in the University’s Professional Staff Program. The Vice President for Human Resources or the Vice President's designee is responsible for administering the reversion process specified in RCW 41.06.070. If placement in a classified position through the reversion process is not possible, and an employee is subject to layoff as a classified employee, the Vice President or the Vice President's designee may, at the Vice President’s discretion, act for an appointing authority to provide the notice of layoff.
  4. Labor Relations
    This function includes the negotiation, administration, and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements for employees in properly constituted collective bargaining units, except that the initial collective bargaining agreement with a representative of a newly certified bargaining unit requires the approval of the Board of Regents. The labor relations function also includes maintaining effective relations with collective bargaining representatives, participating in the resolution of employee grievances, and representing or assisting legal counsel to represent the University before the Public Employment Relations Commission, or in arbitration or other legal proceedings.
  5. Professional and Organizational Development
    This function provides training to enhance employee skills, to prepare employees for advancement, and to enhance the ability of University departments to be organizationally effective.
  6. Employee Relations
    This function assists University departments to understand and implement Human Resources policy and regulations, to administer leave programs, to understand and implement labor contract requirements, to facilitate activities related to employee disability accommodation, to deal with issues or problems related to employee job performance or behavior, to coordinate and administer the layoff process, and to perform related activities such as assisting departments to comply with regulatory agency requirements.
  7. Recruitment and Employment
    This function includes workforce planning, recruitment, screening, and assessment of candidates for employment in accordance with the institution’s status as an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Human Resources provides University departments with temporary employees to meet short term, project, or peak workload needs. Human Resources also oversees and establishes requirements for the use of temporary employees to ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules.
  8. Human Resources Information Systems and Data Management Services
    This function includes authorizing access to and managing the maintenance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of data relating to employment, compensation, benefits, temporary employment, and all other human resources functions pertaining to non-academic staff. Human Resources plays an integral role in planning, designing, testing, and implementing technology-based services and systems related to human resources functions.
  9. Communications
    This function includes the development and delivery of communications to provide timely, accurate, and relevant information regarding human resources policies, programs, services, and activities.
  10. Violence Prevention
    This function leads and collaborates with other University departments in the development and promotion of the University’s violence prevention program and related activities.
  11. Disability Accommodation
    This function assists University staff, faculty, academic appointees, non-matriculated students, and members of the public with disabilities to allow them to fully participate in University activities. Services include providing accommodation advice and resources (such as assistive equipment, classroom or examination accommodation sign language, oral and tactile interpreters, and real time captioning); arranging general access accommodation for members of the public attending University events; arranging disabled parking and transportation; and providing a process for recommending modification of facilities to accommodate disabled users.
  12. Policy Development, Maintenance, and Compliance
    This function involves the analysis of legislative and regulatory requirements, and uses accepted best practices to design and implement policies and procedures that allow University departments and staff to efficiently and effectively carry out transactions related to human resources functions.
  13. Work/Life
    This function provides programs and services for all University employees that help them effectively manage their personal and family needs while meeting the requirements and responsibilities of their jobs.
  14. Leave
    This function establishes policies, procedures, and systems to support leave administration and management.

Executive Order No. 9 of the President, September 16, 2009

V. The Vice President for Student Affairs

A. The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for the general welfare of University of Washington students in their extracurricular lives and activities. These responsibilities include registration, admission, management of nonacademic services for students, provision of extra-classroom learning opportunities, supervision of the activities of student organizations, administration of student discipline for infractions of nonacademic University rules, assistance to students with personal, social and adjustment problems, and advice to the President and other University officers in matters of student interest, attitudes and opinions.

B. The major responsibilities of the Vice President for Student Affairs are grouped in broad divisions as follows:

  1. Admissions and Registration Services
    The Office of Admissions and Records is responsible for the provision of campus support services that include admission and outreach services, school and college relations, University catalog production, curriculum management, Time Schedule production, registration services, grade collection and reporting, student database management, graduation review and diplomas, transcript services, state residence classification, tuition reciprocity agreements, veterans benefits, and state and federal enrollment reporting.
  2. Financial Aid
    The Office of Student Financial Aid administers a financial aid program to assist students, provides counseling relative to student expenses and financial aid opportunities, and prepares reports and evaluations on the financial aid program.
  3. Student Counseling Center
    The Student Counseling Center offers individual, couple and group counseling services to students who need help resolving issues they encounter while attending the University.
  4. Center for Career Services
    The Center for Career Services offers students and alumni who have received degrees or certificates from the University assistance in developing effective job-seeking techniques and in finding suitable employment and planning career objectives.
  5. Student Activities and Union Facilities
    Two student unions, the HUB and the South Campus Center, are designed to provide a variety of social, recreational, cultural and educational programs and services which complement the formal University education process. The Student Activities Office is responsible for providing advising services, training and related resources for students and student groups to assist in the planning and coordination of their events, programs and activities.
  6. Department of Recreational Sports Programs
    The Department of Recreational Sports Programs provides a comprehensive program of sports, fitness and recreation activities designed to meet student needs and interests through administration of the sports skills, intramural, club and informal recreational programs and management of a variety of recreation facilities.
  7. Student Publications
    The Office of Student Publications administers the financial and business affairs of The Daily of the University of Washington, the Student Directory and a freshman directory.
  8. Disabled Student Services
    Disabled Student Services provides access to programs for students with disabilities through the provision of a variety of support services, auxiliary aids and equipment. The Disabled Student Services office works with students, faculty and staff to identify and implement reasonable accommodations to assist students with documented disabilities in being able to participate successfully in the University's educational programs. Disabled Student Services consults with the University's Assistant Provost for Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator in carrying out these functions.
  9. International Services Office
    Assistance to international students and international academic appointees with visa and immigration problems related to their non-immigrant status and counseling to facilitate adjustment to the University are available in the International Services Office.
  10. Housing and Food Services
    The Housing and Food Services Department provides for the operation of a variety of housing for both single and married students, and for the operation of all University public food service facilities. The Department also provides conference services to groups visiting the University.

Executive Order No. 10 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; October 1, 1982; August 24, 1984; May 21, 1990; September 24, 1996

VI. The Vice President for University Relations

A. The Vice President for University Relations is the University officer responsible for the development, maintenance and administration of programs that foster a greater understanding of the institution, and which incorporate the University's major institutional advancement activities. These programs involve on- and off-campus constituencies important to the welfare of the University and which are closely aligned with institutional interests.

B. The major responsibilities of the Vice President for University Relations are grouped in broad divisions as follows:

  1. Strategic Communications
    The Vice President's office is responsible for developing and implementing a coordinated program of strategic communications that is designed to advance the institutional objectives of the University. This includes a comprehensive array of communication media, from print materials to broadcast to Internet-based. University strategic communications are based on careful analysis of the interests and perspectives of all major constituencies--local, national and international. The central purpose of this communication is to bring information about the University of Washington to people who will find that information useful and interesting, and by so doing build support for the University's mission of teaching, research, and service.
  2. News and Information
    The Office of News and Information provides news of University activities, teaching, research and service to local, state, national, and international media, and responds to reporters seeking expert commentary on matters of public interest. The office prepares and distributes news releases; delivers story ideas with video potential to local television stations; writes and edits various internal and external communications including University Week, and serves as the University's official press liaison during emergencies or crises. The office also provides still photographic services to campus users.
  3. KUOW Public Radio
    KUOW-FM (94.9) is a noncommercial radio station licensed to the University. The station provides National Public Radio and locally produced news and public affairs programming to the greater Puget Sound Region 24 hours a day.
  4. Visitors Information Center
    The Visitors Information Center provides general and specific information about the University and the community and offers guided walking tours of the UW campus.
  5. Speakers Bureau
    The Speakers Bureau refers appropriate speakers to organizations, agencies, and other groups throughout Washington State.
  6. Commencement Exercises
    The Office of Commencement Exercises coordinates and stages the official University of Washington Commencement Ceremonies.
  7. Trademarks and Licensing
    The Trademarks and Licensing Office administers the University's licensing program to control the commercial use of the University's name and registered trademarks. Manufacturers of emblematic merchandise must obtain a licensing agreement to secure the rights to print the University's name or identifying marks on their products.
  8. Office of Public Records and Open Public Meetings.
    The Office of Public Records and Open Public Meetings assists the public, business, local and national media, and attorneys in accessing public records held by the University of Washington, in accordance with the state's Public Records Laws. The Office also coordinates information about meeting of University committees that are subject to the state's Open Public Meetings act.
  9. Administrative Procedures Office
    The Administrative Procedures Office (APO) coordinates all Washington Administrative Code rule-making activities at the University. APO coordinates the development and documentation of University-wide administrative policies and manages the University's Reference Station System--a network of self-service information stations to provide University rules, policies, and other information to faculty, staff, students and the public.
  10. Records Management
    Records Management Services helps University offices comply with state and federal laws relating to the preservation and destruction of records, both paper and electronic. The Records Management Office and the University Records Center provide the following services: records retention and vital records scheduling, files management consulting, and inactive records storage and disposition.

    Executive Order No. 11 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; October 1, 1982; February 10, 1988; April 6, 1990; September 24, 1996; August 21, 2002.

VII. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

A. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations oversees the University's private fundraising efforts, coordinated through the Office of Development. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations also serves as President of the University of Washington Foundation. The Office of Development manages the solicitation of private funds for the University, providing coordination and counsel for the various school and college development programs, and stimulating both outright contributions and deferred gifts to the University. Coordination and support includes annual giving; major gift programs; corporation, foundation and international relations; relationship management and donor recognition programs; and oversight of capital or comprehensive campaigns carried out by schools, colleges, and programs within the University. The Office of Development also is responsible for receiving, receipting and reporting to the Board of Regents all gifts made to the University and the University of Washington Foundation, and for maintaining a database of information about alumni, donors and friends, and generating reports as necessary from that database. The Office of Development provides staff support for the University of Washington Foundation, established in 1988. The Foundation was created to enhance the University's private giving program. The Foundation Board of Directors is made up of University representatives and volunteer directors from among the University's alumni and friends.

The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations oversees the management of Alumni Relations for the University. An Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations, reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, serves as the executive director of the University of Washington Alumni Association (UWAA). The mission of the UWAA is to reach, connect, and celebrate alumni and friends of the University, to build lifelong relationships, and to support the University's mission. Through the UWAA, a non-profit corporation funded primarily from alumni member dues, and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, activities of academic, geographic and special interest alumni groups are coordinated and supported. The UWAA also supervises the Legislative Support Network and the Washington. Alumni Advocates and helps maintain alumni records. The UWAA publishes Columns, a quarterly magazine for University alumni and friends, and the Fountain newsletter.

Executive Order No. 62 of the President, April 10, 1991; Revised September 24, 1996; August 21, 2002.

VIII. The Vice President for Computing and Communications

A. The Vice President for Computing and Communications is the University's chief information technology officer and is responsible for formulating strategies for, as well as planning, organizing, directing and overseeing all activities and resources associated with the University's computing, information technology, electronic information publishing, networking, television, and telecommunications systems, facilities, services and infrastructure. As part of those responsibilities, and in cooperation with schools, colleges, hospitals, clinics, branch campuses and other administrative units, the Vice President for Computing and Communications evaluates academic, clinical, administrative and outreach-oriented computing and communications requirements, capabilities and requests in central as well as departmental areas of the University, and works with the Provost and President to help them, in conjunction with appropriate University processes, determine related technology directions, priorities and resource allocations throughout the institution.

B. The major responsibilities of the Vice President for Computing and Communications are grouped in broad divisions as follows:

  1. Office of Computing & Communications
    The Vice President is responsible for sustaining appropriate organizational structures to manage University-wide information technology infrastructure and activities.
  2. University network infrastructure
    The Office of University Network and Distributed Computing (UNDC) is responsible for University-wide networks and networking endeavors.
  3. Administrative, management and University information systems
    Information Systems (IS) develops and maintains the University's administrative and management information systems and, as custodian of electronic versions of institutional information resources, provides infrastructure and content for the UW's University-wide information systems.
  4. University computing services and operations
    University Computing Services (UCS) manages the University's central computing and computer server facilities, including operations and systems programming for both academic and administrative uses, and provides related consulting services. UCS also furnishes computing support to the hospitals and clinics, various academic units and appropriate external partners on a facilities management basis.
  5. University telecommunications infrastructure
    Telecommunications Services (TS) manages UW's voice and telecommunications technology based infrastructure including all telephone facilities and services, wire plant, two-way radio and radio paging systems, VoiceMail capabilities, touch tone response systems, installation and management of remote data circuits, FCC and other licenses, satellite uplinks and downlinks, microwave systems, and other distribution and broadcast systems.
  6. Television
    The Vice President's Office is responsible for operating and evolving the University's broadcast and cable television facilities and infrastructure and for overseeing efforts to create, acquire and transmit related programming.
  7. Professional video and TV production
    The Vice President's office is responsible for managing and maintaining video and television production capabilities, services and infrastructure.
  8. University electronic publications and electronic communications
    The Vice President's Office is responsible for providing and maintaining facilities services and infrastructure for enabling the University to publish electronically, and also for publishing official UW materials.
  9. Client Services
    The Vice President's Office helps provide information technology consulting, help, and training services and facilities to departments as well as faculty, staff and students.
  10. Student technology
    The Vice President's Office is responsible for working with student government, students and others to manage the University's student-oriented technology services and facilities relative to the student technology fee and other such initiatives and programs.
  11. Emerging technologies
    The Vice President's Office is responsible for monitoring the development of, and providing direction on, institutional uses for emerging technologies.
  12. Information Services Board reviews
    The Vice President's Office, as designated by the President, is the principal body for providing required State of Washington Information Services Board (ISB) technical reviews and approval within the UW; the Vice President's Office is the delegated authority.

Executive Order No. 63 of the President, September 24, 1996

Section 12-24. The Deans and Chancellors

I. The Deans

A. The separately organized colleges and schools established by action of the Board of Regents, as well as the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and the University Libraries, are headed by academic administrators as follows:

Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Dean of the Business School
Dean of the School of Dentistry
Dean of the College of Education
Dean of the College of Engineering
Dean of the College of Forest Resources
Dean of the Graduate School
Dean of the Information School
Dean of the School of Law
Dean of the School of Medicine
Dean of the School of Nursing
Dean of the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences
Dean of the School of Pharmacy
Dean of the Daniel Evans School of Public Affairs
Dean of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine
Dean of the School of Social Work
Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Dean of University Libraries

B. The deans are responsible to the Provost for all matters relating to the educational, budgetary, and administrative affairs of their units. In these matters the dean:

  1. is the representative of the Provost and also of the faculty in the college or school or the librarians of the University Libraries; and
  2. is responsible for faithful observance by the college, school, or University Libraries of the general policies of the University.

C. The deans have direct access to the Provost and President to report on developments or special problems in the college, school, or University Libraries. The interests of all units are best served by maintaining constant contact with the Provost, President, or the appropriate vice provost or vice president as indicated in the functional outlines of their responsibilities described in Sections 12-22 and 12-23.

D. In accordance with established procedures, particularly those prescribed by Chapters 23, 24, and 25, and, when appropriate, in accordance with Section 12-28.II.D, the deans:

  1. shall transmit to the President, the Provost, or the appropriate vice provost or vice president recommendations concerning personnel and budget; and
  2. shall evaluate the educational activities of the college or school and formulate plans for its future development.

E. The planning and coordination of the academic program throughout the University is a major administrative responsibility shared largely between the Provost and the deans. Proposals for new academic programs usually result from the initiative of individuals and groups throughout the University. The development and implementation of such new programs frequently require coordinated attention by a number of affected components of the University; hence any new program which involves or may involve two or more schools or colleges should be directed early to the Provost so that the matter may be referred to the appropriate deans for review and discussion in preliminary as well as later stages.

F. For interdisciplinary programs which involve two or more schools or colleges, the Provost shall be responsible for coordination but may delegate to one of the respective deans the principal administrative authority for supervision of the coordinated program.

Executive Order No. 12 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; October 1, 1982; June 1, 1990; May 9, 2007

II. Chancellor, UW Bothell and UW Tacoma

The Chancellor of UW Bothell and the Chancellor of UW Tacoma are responsible to the President and the Provost for all academic and educational matters on those campuses.

The Chancellor reports to the Provost and is responsible through the Provost for campus academic planning, programs, and budget. The Chancellor is the final point of review and approval for issues of an academic nature on his/her campus. In the creation of new degree programs or new academic units where University-wide committees, the central administration, and/or external bodies, such as the Higher Education Coordinating Board, are involved, the Chancellor will be the chief advocate throughout the approval process for the campus. The Chancellor is responsible for transmitting to the Provost or appropriate vice provosts or vice presidents all personnel actions for faculty, academic support personnel, and staff for the campus, and for compliance with all University-wide policies and state laws.

The Chancellor also reports to the President and is responsible through the President for representing the campus to the Board of Regents, to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and to the State Legislature. The Chancellor is responsible for representing the campus to the local and statewide community and for campus development and fundraising. The Chancellor is directly responsible for campus administration and management.

Executive Order No. 14 of the President, May 21, 1990; revised June 29, 1995; September 10, 1998 ; May 9, 2007.

III. The Board of Deans and Chancellors

A. The Deans, the Chancellors, and the Vice Provost for UW Educational Outreach shall meet on a regularly scheduled basis under the co-chairmanship of the Provost and an elected member of the Board to consider matters of special interest related to educational policy and administrative processes and to review consequences of operations under Volume Two (University Handbook) The Administration and the Faculty; and Volume Four (University Handbook), General Information and Selected Rules and Policies. The Board of Deans and Chancellors is encouraged to submit to the President as a consequence of such review any reports or recommendations it considers useful and necessary for the welfare of the University and the better achievement of its objectives.

B. As described in Section 13-21, the Deans and Chancellors share with the faculty and the President the responsibility for the formulation of rules for the immediate governance of the University under such resolutions and executive orders as the Board of Regents and the President from time to time may adopt or issue.

Executive Order No. 16 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978, June 29, 1995 , January 9, 2006; May 9, 2007

Section 12-25. Other General University Officers.

I. The Dean of University Libraries

A. The Dean of University Libraries reports to the Provost.

All library facilities of the University operate under the supervision of the Dean of University Libraries except for the Law Library and the Elizabeth C. Miller Library in the Center for Urban Horticulture. Formation of new libraries, assignment of space, physical alteration or discontinuance of existing libraries, budgetary provisions, and appointment of staff exercising library functions or other functions within a library unit (except for the Law Library and Elizabeth C. Miller Library) require the prior approval of the Dean of University Libraries. The service to be performed by the University libraries in response to, and in anticipation of, user needs include, but are not limited to, responsibility for acquiring, organizing, and making available informational and other learning resources regardless of form. These include printed, photographically or otherwise reproduced material, journals and other serial publications, manuscripts, maps, photographs, music scores, recordings, tapes, slides, films, video tapes, and computerized bibliographical and textual data and programs required to use them--in short, any material which will serve the individual learning needs of students and the teaching and research needs of faculty and staff.

B. The University Library system consists of a central administrative and bibliographical agency and resource library housed in the Suzzallo Library, the Odegaard Undergraduate Library, the Health Sciences Library, a series of branch libraries, and specialized collections and services as approved by and reporting to the Dean of University Libraries, the Law Library, and the Elizabeth C. Miller Library.

Executive Order No. 17 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978, July 14, 1980, January 9, 2006

II. The Ombudsman

A. The Ombudsman is to assist in the protection of the rights and interests of individual members of the student body, the faculty, and the staff against arbitrary or capricious action or lack of appropriate action by University units, the student body, the faculty, or the staff. The Ombudsman shall be appointed by the President in consultation with representatives of students, staff, and faculty, and confirmed by the Senate Executive Committee.

B. The Ombudsman does not replace the existing system of University governance or its established internal appeal procedures. It has been shown, however, that the Ombudsman can make clearer the University's way of operating, help members of the University community to present an inquiry or complaint more effectively or more expeditiously, and may reveal gaps or errors of commission or omission which need attention and remedy.

C. Any and all confidential communications that occur between the Ombudsman and users of the Ombudsman programs and services are protected from disclosure to others.

D. In pursuance of this purpose the Ombudsman shall:

  1. act as a source of information and assistance available to all members of the University community concerning rules, regulations, and procedures of the University both academic and nonacademic;
  2. receive complaints from students and members of the faculty and staff with regard to alleged inequities; no employee shall suffer loss of pay for reasonable time spent in bringing a complaint to the Ombudsman;
  3. bring the complaint to the attention of the appropriate University unit, if it has not already been heard by the unit;
  4. seek to resolve the difficulty between the aggrieved individual and the University unit involved;
  5. recommend to the President redress when the Ombudsman believes that an individual has been improperly treated and when the Ombudsman has been unable to resolve the matter;
  6. recommend to the President and to appropriate authorities such changes in rules, regulations, and procedures as are deemed necessary or desirable.

Executive Order No. 18 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; February 24, 1986; February 13, 1988; February 13, 2006

Section 12-26. Directors and Chairs

A. The director or chair of a department (including departmental-level programs) is responsible to the dean of a school or college for the educational and administrative affairs of the department. In administrative matters, the director or chair:

  1. is the representative, through the dean, of the President and also of the department faculty, and
  2. is responsible for observance of the policies of the University by the department.

B. The director or chair shall preside at the meetings of the department.

C. In accord with established procedures, particularly those prescribed by Chapters 23, 24, and 25, the director or chair:

  1. prepares and transmits to the dean the recommendations of the department, and any separate recommendations, upon matters of personnel and budget;
  2. evaluates the educational activities of the department, formulates plans for its future development, and transmits these evaluations and plans to the dean for appropriate action; and
  3. keeps the dean informed of all departmental matters of concern to the college or school.

D. In the operation of an interdisciplinary program, the director or chair of the participating faculty group shall report to the dean having principal administrative authority in the same manner that the director or chair of a department reports to the dean in a departmentalized school or college. The director or chair has the additional responsibility of furnishing information regarding program details to the other deans who are directly concerned with the operation of the program.

Executive Order (unnumbered) of the President, May 31, 1956; revised February 21, 1978

Section 12-27. Attorney General's Division

A. Functions and Responsibilities:

  1. According to the statutes of the state of Washington, "The attorney general of the state shall be the legal advisor to the presidents and the board of regents and trustees of the state's colleges and universities and he shall institute and prosecute or defend all suits in behalf of the same." [RCW 28B.10.510] Also, according to the statutes, "The attorney general may appoint necessary assistants, who shall hold office at his pleasure, and who shall have the power to perform any act which the attorney general is authorized by law to perform." [RCW 43.10.060]
  2. Pursuant to these provisions, the Attorney General has established a division at the University of Washington headed by a Senior Assistant Attorney General with such assistant attorneys general as may be needed. Where special circumstances warrant it, the Attorney General occasionally appoints a Special Assistant Attorney General to perform special legal assignments on behalf of the University under the supervision of the head of the division. The assistant attorneys general assigned to the University are directly responsible through the head of the division to the Attorney General and his chief deputy.
  3. All legal matters pertaining to the University must be handled by the Attorney General's University Division and should be directed to that office through the President or Vice Presidents of the University. Consultations and communications with that office should be in accordance with procedures authorized by the President or the Board of Regents.

B. Legal Procedures Involving the University and Its Personnel:

  1. Subpoenas, Depositions, and Legal Process.
    In any instance where a person is served a subpoena, notice of deposition, or other legal process which relates to University business, that person shall immediately inform the Attorney General's Division of that fact. This policy does not apply to cases where the relation of the person to the legal proceedings is purely personal.
  2. Lawsuits, Claims, Actions, Summons, and Complaints against the University and Its Personnel:
    a. Whenever any claim, suit, or proceeding is brought against an employee, student, or agent of the University which is believed to arise out of the performance or failure of performance for, or employment with, the University and the individual wants to be defended by the University, a written request that the University appear, defend the suit, and to hold the individual harmless from any expenses connected with the defense, settlement or payment of monetary judgments from such action, claim, or proceeding, should be submitted to the Office of Risk Management. A copy of the request shall also be submitted to the individual's immediate supervisor and the Attorney General's Division of the University. Such request should include a copy of the claim, complaint, or other document asserting claim against the employee and a brief statement of the circumstances giving rise to the claim. To assure that defense of the matter is not compromised by a failure to respond within required time lines, such request should be made as soon as possible after receipt by the employee of any written notice that a claim is being served against him or her.
    b. The immediate supervisor shall confirm to the Office of Risk Management that the employee, agent or student was within the course and scope of his or her University employment, agency or student activities when the actions giving rise to the claim, suit or proceeding occurred. A copy of such confirmation shall be provided to the employee, agent or student who made the request for legal representation and indemnification by the University.
    c. The Office of Risk Management shall review the request and may utilize such means or actions deemed necessary in order to make a recommendation to the Vice President for Financial Management regarding the action to be taken on the request. Before recommending against a finding that the suit or claim is University related, the Office of Risk Management shall allow the employee, agent or student to present, in person or by legal counsel, the reasons he or she believes that the claim arises out of his or her University duties.
    d. The Vice President for Financial Management shall review the request and the recommendations of the Office of Risk Management and grant or deny the request based on the terms and conditions set forth in Volume One. Chapter V of the Standing Orders of the Regents, "Indemnification of University Personnel.".
    e. The Attorney General's Division shall take all necessary steps in the interim to protect the interest of the parties.

C. Personal Legal Consultation Not Available:

The Assistant Attorneys General are not available for personal legal consultation.

Executive Order No. 19 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised February 21, 1978; June 13, 1980; June 1, 1990; April 20, 1994; February 19, 2004.

Section 12-28 Administrative Appointments, Review of Administrative Appointments, and Review of Academic Units

I. Administrative Appointment Policy

It is the policy of the University to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve in principal administrative positions, both academic and nonacademic in nature, and to establish guidelines for the selection and review. Such positions include the Provost, the deans, directors, and chairs of departments or equivalent units, directors of libraries, major institutes and centers, and such other principal administrative officers as may be designated at the time of appointment.

Because such appointments are crucial to the effective operation of the University, appointment procedures are needed to insure the selection of well qualified personnel for these offices. Procedures governing administrative appointments are described below in Part II. Since the nature or purpose of a particular appointment and the goals established for the incumbent are subject to change, it is equally important to re- evaluate all appointments periodically. Procedures for such reviews are described in Part III.

No administrative position is tenured and the President reserves the right to appoint, continue, or terminate any administrator. However, it is the intention of this policy that the appointment procedures will be followed in the search for eligible candidates and the periodic review procedures will be utilized as a constructive mechanism for improving administrative performance.

II. Appointment Process for Administrative Officers

A. In accordance with the By-laws and Standing Orders of the Board of Regents, the President of the University is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the Board of Regents for the appointment of principal administrative officers. The following paragraphs describe the procedure to be used by the President in reaching recommendations to the Board of Regents with reference to the types of appointments indicated.

B. Before a dean recommends to the President the appointment of a chair of a department, an ad hoc committee responsible for recommending the appointment of such chair shall be appointed by the appropriate dean, or by the President (See Section 24-52.A.2). Before the President recommends the appointment of a dean of a school or college, an ad hoc committee responsible for recommending the appointment of such dean shall be appointed by the President (See Section 24-52.A.3). Experience dictates that the committee must be small enough to permit frequent meetings. It must engage in widespread consultation concerning suggested candidates with faculty, representative students, and persons elsewhere, including alumni, knowledgeable about the area concerned. A majority of the committee will consist of administrators or faculty from related areas, who are not themselves directly involved in the affairs of the unit concerned, but who are familiar with its responsibilities and needs. The other members will be faculty individuals who are themselves directly involved in the internal affairs of the department, school, or college under consideration, chosen to provide a perspective on the affairs of the entire unit. At least one of such faculty members shall be selected from amongst the members of the appropriate elected faculty council or committee of the department, school, or college. The duty of the appointment committee is to search for suitable candidates, to study and determine their qualifications, and to obtain and evaluate all data. (See Section 24-52.B).

C. Upon appointment, the committee should establish a procedure which identifies the sequential steps, the time deadlines, and the methods to be taken for involving faculty and students, as representatives of groups concerned and as individuals, as well as other persons knowledgeable about the area concerned. For example:

  1. If the selection of a dean or chair is to be made from among individuals who are presently members of the faculty, individual faculty members and representative students, and other pertinent representative persons, should be invited to review, evaluate, and make recommendations about all possible candidates. If the selection of a dean or chair is to involve individuals not already on the faculty, individual faculty members, representative students, and other pertinent representative persons should be invited to suggest names for consideration by the appointment committee.
  2. When specific outside candidates have been identified by the committee and are invited to the campus, procedures should provide for significant numbers of faculty and students to meet the candidates. There should be a systematic way for these faculty and students to submit information regarding their impressions, either in writing or in person. The committee should give serious consideration to these reactions in making their recommendations to the dean or the President, and their recommendations should include a summary of faculty and student reactions.
  3. The dean shall deal directly with the committee in making a decision as to his/her recommendation for the appointment of a department chair. The department concerned shall be consulted in making the appointment (See Section 24-52.C.2). The dean is not required to accept the recommendations of the appointment committee.
  4. The President shall deal directly with the committee in making a decision as to a recommendation for the appointment of a dean (See Section 24-52.C.3). The President is not required to accept the recommendations of the appointment committee.

D. In recommending appointments to the directorship of other academic units, the President, vice presidents, and/or deans will use procedures similar to those described above in C.1-4.

E. Vice presidents and other principal administrative aides to the President, associate deans, and other principal administrative aides to deans, are not considered as autonomous administrators but as adjuncts to the office respectively of the President or of the dean. The President and deans are free to use whatever procedures they deem desirable in reaching recommendations concerning the appointment and review of such appointees within their own offices.

F. All administrative appointees who fall within the purview of this policy will be notified at the time of appointment that periodic reviews will be conducted in accordance with the nature and guidelines set forth in Part III of this Executive Order to evaluate the appropriateness of continued appointments.

III. Review of Administrative Appointments

A. Academic Administrative Appointments

Because of the changing nature or degree of completion of the particular tasks which an administrative appointee may have been requested to perform at the time of the initial appointment, it is beneficial to the academic administrator, the unit for which the administrator has responsibility, and the University, that periodic reviews be conducted. Such reviews are to be conducted to assess the recent accomplishments of the administrator in light of the past, present, and future goals of the individual and the unit, and changes in related units or in the University which affect the unit.

The following principles shall be adhered to by the reviewing authority in conducting such reviews: At intervals of not longer than five years, or sooner if requested by the incumbent, the immediate supervisor, or the President, a review shall normally be undertaken of each academic administrative appointee. The immediate supervisor of the academic administrative appointee will be the reviewing authority who will undertake to carry out the review, advised by an ad hoc review committee constituted as described in II.B. above. They should first consult with the incumbent on his/her views of past policies and practices and his/her projections of future goals for both the unit and the incumbent; and, where applicable, they should examine past accomplishments and future goals concerning the quality of graduate and undergraduate education. They should solicit comments of a similar nature from all concerned constituencies: faculty, students, staff, other administrators, relevant faculty councils, and, if deemed appropriate, knowledgeable persons from outside the University. Ample time should be allowed for the collection of comments from all involved parties. Upon completion of the review, the reviewing authority shall transmit a report to the President, with a copy to the Provost and the incumbent.

B. Nonacademic Administrative Appointments

Business units, student services, support services, or other nonacademic programs or units which are headed by nonacademic administrative appointees should also undergo periodic reviews. At intervals of not more than five years, or sooner if requested by the incumbent, the immediate supervisor, or the President, a review should be undertaken to assess the status of the unit and the personnel responsible therefore. Normally, the immediate supervisor will be the reviewing authority. The review procedure should be adjusted to fit the particular unit and appointee being reviewed, but should, at minimum, include solicitations of comments from staff, administration, related faculty committees, if any, and from any other knowledgeable or interested parties.

IV. Review of Academic Units

Reviews of all academic units including the graduate and undergraduate degree programs offered by these units are required at least every ten years and are conducted jointly by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean of Undergraduate Education in cooperation with the relevant School or College Dean. These reviews of individual academic units offering degree programs should be supplemented, also on a ten-year cycle, by comprehensive reviews of overall college or school structures and function. To the degree possible, the reviews of individual academic units should be coordinated with the review of the overall college or school.

Among the outcomes of the above reviews should be a clearer understanding of the academic unit's:

  1. quality of instruction, research and public service;
  2. value to students' general education and preparation for society;
  3. role within the University and effectiveness in fulfilling that role;
  4. resource requirements;
  5. future objectives and changes necessary to achieve them.

The reports of these reviews of academic units are public documents and are releasable when final University action has been taken.

Executive Order No. 20 of the President, June 1, 1972; revised October 24, 1974, July 26, 1977, February 21, 1978, October 29, 1986, and December 14, 1994

V. Authorization for Publication of University of Washington Rules, By-Laws, Orders, and Policies

The Rules Coordination Office will publish changes to the appropriate University policy resource when directed to do so by the individual authorized to certify that the statement has been properly approved for publication. The following persons are authorized to make such certification for the documents listed:

By-Laws and Standing Orders of the Board of Regents Secretary of the Board of Regents
Executive Orders and Administrative Orders President of the University
Faculty Code and Faculty Senate Actions Secretary of the Faculty
Administrative Policies and Information The appropriate individual, including the President, Provost, and Vice Presidents
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Rules UW Rules Coordinator

Recommendations for changes in Administrative Policies or Information should be submitted in writing to the Rules Coordination Office for routing to the proper administrative officer for consideration and the appropriate individual for final approval.

The effective date of each revision will appear on the published document and the Rules Coordination Office will maintain a file of signed authorizations in date order for each published document to support the changes made.

Executive Order No. 47 of the President, March 1, 1973; revised January 23, 1980; May 11, 2007