Faculty Research  Development

      CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

             Centers - Organization and Implementation Policies

Centers at Clarion University are established and maintained to
enhance the mission of the university and the role of the academic
colleges - specifically the College of Arts and Sciences, College of
Business Administration, College of Education and Human Services,
and the School of Nursing. Addressing the three fundamental
components of academic accountability, these Centers serve as
sources of professional development for faculty, learning for students,
and service to the community, and can help attract special funding to
the University.

Centers are accountable to appropriate administration units
which may include but not be limited to a specific college. When a
Center is housed in an academic department, reporting lines will
include department chair, dean, and provost (see chart). Other
organizational formats are possible depending on the focus of the
Center.

Example I                                  Example II

Departmental Center Director     College Center Director

Chair                                          Dean

Dean                                          Provost/VPAA

Provost/VPAA

The goals of a Center are to be consistent with the goals and
objectives of a department, college or the University as appropriate.

A Center is formed and dedicated to a specific program or set of
programs. A specific Center draws outside resources together with
University resources to provide partnerships and collaborations among
university personnel, university students, business, industry and other
professional interests for mutual benefit. Activities of a Center may
include non-credit courses, student internships, student practicums,
conferences, training, research, publications, service and public
information programs. A Center will conduct activities in accordance
with appropriate administrative policies and procedures (e.g., Distance
Education, Continuing Education, Admissions, Graduate Studies, etc.).

Some features of Centers are that they:

- Increase intellectual excitement on the campus.

- Enable students to work closely with faculty on projects of
  educational value.

- Bring external funding to the university in the form of fees,
  contracts, and grants.

- Stimulate faculty in research and writing proposals for
  extramural funding.

- Enhance services to internal and external constituents.

- Provides access to administrative and financial systems of the
  university.

Minimum Requirements for Establishment of Centers

1. Mission statement, goals, and objectives.

2. Initial base funding and plans for continued financial
    resources.

3. Identified space and facilities.

4. Staff and a means of compensation.

5. Approval for establishment by the Provost prior to the
    beginning of operation.

Policies and Guidelines

1. Centers will have a written mission statement, goals, and
objectives that are consistent with Clarion's mission and goal
statements.

2. Centers will specify the activities and programs they will
offer.

3. A Center will generally operate using externally generated
funds. When internal funds will be used to operate a Center,
appropriate approvals will be provided in advance. Internally generated
funds may include funding allocations pledged by the sponsoring
department, other departments, or offices of the University.

 4. Financial responsibility and signatures for expenditures (travel,
purchases, etc.) will follow university policies and procedures. Two
signatures will be a requirement for university and Foundation accounts
(as prescribed by university and Foundation expenditure policies).

5. An annual budget will be prepared and utilized by each Center
reflecting projected income and expenditures as appropriate. Likewise,
a budget shall be prepared for any special event such as a seminar.

6. Income generated by a Center through fees will be credited to
the CenterÕs cost center through the ComptrollerÕs office.

7. Grants, Contracts and gifts for a Center will be directed to the
Grants Office or the Advancement Office as appropriate.

8. Centers should have comprehensive plans for exploring and/or
securing external grant and contract funding. Approvals to seek outside
funding must be obtained from the Advancement and Grants Office.

9.  Staffing and the method of compensation for Centers will be
outlined in the initial proposal for establishment and will be dictated by
university employment policy.

10. Space and facility needs of a Center must be identified and
resolved at the time a proposal for establishment is submitted.

11. Administrative and organizational control shall be detailed for
each Center including lines of authority and advisory boards as needed.
All Center activities will conform to policies, procedures, and practices
established by Clarion University and the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.

12. An annual review of the CenterÕs operation and budget shall
be completed by the appropriate administrative units (as designated by
the Dean and/or Provost).

13. Centers will be required to submit an annual report to the
appropriate administrative units (see chart).
 

 14. Periodic reviewuations of Centers will be conducted by the
appropriate administrative units. Calls for an reviewuation of a
CenterÕs activities will be referred to the Provost.

Procedures

1. Any employe or unit wishing to propose a Center must submit
a proposal which addresses all of the policies and guidelines above to
the Provost through the appropriate Dean.

2. Upon the approval of the Provost/Vice President, the proposal
for a Center will be submitted for review and approval by the
President.
 
 
 
 

Approved by

PEC - March 2, 1998