Handbook of Operating Procedures 2-1020 (Interim)

Colleges, Schools, Departments, Centers and Institutes



Effective September 01, 2025
Executive Sponsor: Executive Vice President and Provost
Policy Owner: Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

 

  1. Policy Statement

The University of Texas at Austin’s (“University”) colleges, schools, departments, centers, institutes, and academic programs and organized research units (collectively, “Academic Units”) are maintained in a manner to promote efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce needs and the University mission in their pursuit of academic excellence.
 

  1. Reason for Policy

To delineate responsibilities related to Academic Units.
 

  1. Scope & Audience

This Policy applies to administrators and faculty in Academic Units as well as to the deans, executive vice president and provost, and president.

 

  1. Definitions (specific to this policy)

Academic Unit:

A college, school, department, center, institute, academic program or organized research unit of the University.
 

  1. Website (for policy)

https://secure4.compliancebridge.com/utexas/public/getdoc.php?file=2-1020
 

  1. Contacts

CONTACT

DETAILS

WEB

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Phone: 512-471-4363

Website:

https://provost.utexas.edu
 
  1. Responsibilities & Procedures

The Executive Vice President and Provost has primary authority for ensuring the responsible oversight and management of all Academic Units to operate and conduct their work in furtherance of the University’s mission.
 

  1. Approving Degree Candidates.    The Executive Vice President and Provost will provide the directions to the Academic Units regarding the method and timing for their approving degree candidates and providing a list of those candidates to the Registrar. Academic Units are responsible for timely following those directions.
  1. Organizational Structure and Focus. The Executive Vice President and Provost has a duty to ensure the mission, structure, and staffing of Academic Units are optimized to achieve the institutional mission.  In furtherance of this duty, the provost, with approval of the president, may:
  1. Direct the administrative leader of an Academic Unit to revise or develop the academic mission and focus to achieve stronger alignment with institutional goals;
  2. Determine that specific faculty lines, whether currently occupied or not, should be reassigned to or from one Academic Unit to another. Relocation of a faculty line is not grievable. It is not abandonment of a faculty position under HOP 2-2230. Instead, this action simply relocates the line, and faculty member when the relocated line is occupied, to a different Academic Unit. Faculty impacted by a relocated line retain their tenure or tenure-track status and their protected property interest in ongoing employment in the academic position; and
  3. Administration of Degree Programs.  The Executive Vice President and Provost has a duty to ensure that degrees are offered and administered by the most suitable Academic Unit.  In furtherance of this duty, the provost, with the approval of the president, may transfer the primary administration of a degree program from one Academic Unit to another, after obtaining the proper approvals, when necessary, from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and The University of Texas System.
 
  1. Forms & Tools

None
 

  1. Frequently Asked Questions

None
 

  1. Related Information

Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 40307 - Academic Program Approval Standards

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Program Modification Information
 

  1. History

Modified to Interim: September 1, 2025
     Next scheduled review: September 2028

Modified: July 29, 2016

Previously HOP 1.5