University of Washington Policy Directory

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*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Presidential Orders


Administrative Order


No. 9



The Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration



1. Institutional Role

  The Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration (EVPFA) is a participant in planning and policy making for the University of Washington 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 EVPFA is responsible for the management of all of the financial and many of the administrative services of the institution. These responsibilities include the University's debt portfolio, controller activities, investment accounting, sponsored project accounting, student fiscal services, human resources, information technology, physical plant/facility management and development, capital projects planning and development, internal audit, and health sciences administration. The EVPFA shall ensure that the University of Washington Audit Advisory Committee, an advisory committee of the Board of Regents, has appropriate administrative support services, including secretarial assistance and record keeping.

2. External Role
The responsibility of the EVPFA 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 EVPFA participates with other University officers in maintaining liaison with community, city, and county representatives on matters pertaining to the University.

3. Unit Responsibilities
Services are divided into functional groups and departments headed by individuals with the authority to conduct operations as delegated by the EVPFA.

  A. Business Diversity Program

The Business Diversity Program proactively engages and supports the full range of business enterprises, including small, minority-, and women-owned businesses to ensure inclusion and provide the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in competition for any and all procurement and contracting by the University.

  B. Capital Planning and Development

Capital Planning and Development’s (CPD) purpose is to optimize the value of the University’s physical assets to support and inspire students, faculty, staff and all who visit the University’s campuses and use its services to improve the well-being and prosperity of our region and beyond. CPD is comprised of several units brought together to provide coordinated, consistent and comprehensive capital projects.

The service groups include: Real Estate, Architecture and Planning, Major Capital Projects, Special Projects and Design Services, and Business Services (information systems, project controls, estimating, contracts, sustainability, and accounting).

  C. Facilities Services

Facilities Services plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees all activities associated with the management and operations of University infrastructure buildings and grounds, and the procurement and distribution systems for utilities for the UW Seattle campus. The service groups include Building Services, Campus Engineering & Operations, Emergency Management, Engineering Services, Facilities Employee Services, Facilities Maintenance & Construction, Finance & Business Services, Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement, and Transportation Services. 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.

  D. Finance

The Finance Department includes the following units:

The Office of the Controller plans, organizes, directs, controls, and oversees basic financial and administrative services, including accounting, and Research & Student Accounting (RSA). The Controller serves as the University’s Chief Accounting Officer, and is responsible for the accuracy and quality of the University’s accounts, the preparation of the financial reports and the integrity of the University’s financial systems. The organization also provides advice and oversight on financial compliance and internal controls (functioning as institutional internal control officer), and coordinates with internal and external auditors on institutional financial audits, reviews, and related matters.

Enterprise Services is responsible for managing a set of administrative functions, including Procurement Services and Travel, DataGroup, Records Management, Global Support, Tax Management, and Creative Communications. The Office of Public Records and Open Meetings is also part of this organization.

The Treasury Office is responsible for issuing debt financing to fund certain capital projects and to acquire real and personal property, and facilitates the processing of security gifts. Treasury manages the University’s banking relationships and provides strategic direction on the cash management end of internal banking activities. Treasury also provides leadership of the University’s long run financial plan and related strategic analysis.

  E.
Health Sciences Administration

Health Sciences Administration reports jointly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, and the EVPFA—jointly administering oversight with the Board of Health Sciences Deans for activities of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, the Center on Human Development and Disability, the Latino Center on Health, and the Washington National Primate Research Center. Health Sciences Administration also is responsible for activities of the Hall Health Center, Health Sciences Academic Services and Facilities, Health Sciences Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Office of Animal Welfare, and coordination of Health Sciences interactions with Health Sciences News and Community Relations. The general scope of responsibilities includes all aspects of finances, administration, and operations.

F. Human Resources

UW Human Resources (UWHR) provides human resources leadership and strategic guidance across the University system consisting of the three campuses, two medical centers, and several smaller offsite locations locally and globally. UWHR’s responsibilities for labor relations, benefits, organizational development, violence prevention, disability accommodation services, employee communications, and employee engagement encompass all faculty, staff and graduate student employees at the University. In addition, UWHR provides full cycle staff human resources services in the following areas: employment, compensation, professional development, employee relations, HR information services, legislative analysis, and policy development.

G. Internal Audit

Internal Audit is responsible for providing independent reviews of the administrative and accounting controls and management of University activities, regardless of their funding sources, and provides liaison with auditors representing state and federal interests. The department also provides liaison between auxiliary operations and private auditors retained to examine select University accounts.

H. Strategic Consulting

Strategic Consulting is an internal consulting group that serves as an overall transformative tool for the EVPFA, senior leadership, and organizations across the University. This group combines leadership and innovation with management, planning, and financial advice to strengthen the University’s capacity to achieve its strategic vision and goals. Responsible for large-scale strategic projects as well as high-priority, targeted projects of varying scope, the AVPSC will integrate three major disciplines in support of institutional effectiveness and decision-making. These include organizational development, business process optimization, and financial analysis.

I. UW Information Technology

UW Information Technology (UW-IT) is the central IT organization for the University, providing critical technology support to all three campuses, UW medical centers, and global research operations. UW-IT collaborates with University partners to advance teaching, learning, innovation, and discovery.

J. UW Sustainability

UW Sustainability (UWS) is responsible for supporting the University's Climate Action Plan goals reported to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. UWS supports the Environmental Stewardship Committee, Climate Action Plan implementation, and coordinates the University's sustainability fund. UWS provides extensive communications, including sustainability publications, digital and social media outreach, and planning of events for faculty, students, and staff.

July 1, 1972; 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; [formerly EO No. 5] May 9, 2016; [portions of this order were formerly numbered AO No. 7, EO No. 9, and EO No. 63] November 28, 2017.


For additional delegations of authority, see:

  • Board of Regents Governance, Bylaws, Article V, "Officers of the University"
  • Board of Regents Governance, Standing Orders, Chapter 1, "Delegation of Authority"
  • Board of Regents Governance, Standing Orders, Chapter 6, "Authority for Washington Administrative Code Rule Making"
  • Executive Order No. 1, "The Office of the President"
  • Executive Order No. 4, "The Provost"
  • Executive Order No. 6, "The 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. 7, "The Vice President for Minority Affairs"
  • Executive Order No. 11, "The Vice President for External Affairs"
  • Executive Order No. 12, "The Deans"
  • Executive Order No. 14, "Chancellor, UW Bothell and UW Tacoma"
  • Executive Order No. 18, "The University Ombud"
  • Executive Order No. 62, "The Vice President for University Advancement"
  • Administrative Orders: Delegations of Authority

For related information, see:

  • Executive Order No. I, "Directors and Chairs"
  • Executive Order No. 3, "Executive Order and Administrative Order Procedure"
  • Executive Order No. 16, "The Board of Deans and Chancellors"
  • Executive Order No. 19, "Attorney General's Division"
  • Executive Order No. 20, "Administrative Appointments, Review of Administrative Appointments, and Review of Academic Units"
  • Executive Order No. 47, "Authorization for Publication of University of Washington Rules, By-Laws, Orders, and Policies"