Structure of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1.1 

Authority for University of Nebraska-Lincoln Organization. In accordance with Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska adopted August 20, 1973 and subsequently amended (hereinafter referred to as Regents Bylaws), the following structure is established for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (hereinafter referred to as UNL). Reporting relationships not provided by the Bylaws of UNL (hereinafter referred to as these UNL Bylaws) or the Regents Bylaws shall be determined by the Chancellor of UNL who shall, in cases where the faculty has a primary interest, notify the Academic Senate in advance of any intention to establish or alter such reporting relationships, and, in cases where students have a primary interest, notify ASUN in advance of any intention to establish or alter such reporting relationships.

1.2 

The Chancellor. The chief executive officer of UNL is the Chancellor whose duties, in addition to those prescribed in Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Regents Bylaws, shall include responsibility for public relations of UNL. In carrying out the duties prescribed in Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Regents Bylaws, and in these UNL Bylaws, the Chancellor shall appoint such staff as are necessary and are approved by the President and the Board of Regents; make provision for adequate communication among administration, faculty, and students; encourage joint planning and effort; and consult regularly with appropriate campus organizations and committees.

1.3 

Selection of the Chancellor. The Chancellor of UNL shall be selected in accordance with procedures outlined in Section 2.4.2 of these UNL Bylaws.

1.4 

Interim Chancellor. In the event that the UNL Chancellor shall resign, be incapacitated, be on leave of absence, or otherwise be unavailable to perform the duties of the office, an Interim Chancellor shall be designated by the Board of Regents upon recommendation of the President. The Interim Chancellor shall have all powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Chancellor. When it becomes apparent that an Interim Chancellor is to be designated, the Vice Chancellors and the Presidents of ASUN and the Academic Senate shall immediately seek to consult with the President of the University on the selection of the Interim Chancellor. They shall inform the President if, in their reasoned judgment following consultation with appropriate representatives of their constituent groups, any person tentatively considered for the position is unacceptable.

1.5 

Vice Chancellors. The Vice Chancellors shall report to the Chancellor and shall be selected according to procedures outlined in Section 2.4.2 of these UNL Bylaws.

1.5.1 

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer for UNL and also serves as the executive officer for the Chancellor in all academic matters, except as provided in Section 1.5.2, including personnel matters involving the academic administrative staff and the coordination of academic programs, of curricular change, and of budgeting for the academic programs. As chief academic officer, the Senior Vice Chancellor has responsibility for developing, implementing, and providing leadership for UNL-wide academic policies and practices. As the chief administrative officer for Academic Affairs, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall be the principal adviser to the Chancellor in matters affecting faculty status, including recommendations for promotion, continuous appointment, reappointment, and nonreappointment, for all faculty personnel with the exception of personnel in the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. If the recommendation of the Chancellor and the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs differs from the recommendation of a dean or director with respect to matters of faculty status, the Chancellor shall so inform the President and the Board of Regents. The Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is the official designated to implement actions of the Academic Senate taken in accord with Section 2.13.1(e) of the Regents Bylaws. The Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall serve as the principal administrative officer for UNL in the short-term absence of the Chancellor.

1.5.2 

Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources shall be the chief administrative officer for the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources; shall be responsible for providing leadership for all agricultural and natural resources affairs in the University of Nebraska as they involve the Office of the Chancellor of UNL and the President and the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska; and shall coordinate agricultural, natural resources, and related matters of UNL. As senior agricultural and natural resources administrator in the University of Nebraska, the Vice Chancellor shall, together with the Chancellor, provide advice and counsel to, and assist the President and the Board of Regents in agricultural, natural resources, and related matters. The Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources shall serve as the executive officer for the Chancellor in all matters involving the personnel, budgets, and programs included within the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, including the academic programs of the College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, provided that he/she and the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall be responsible for coordinating those academic programs with others at UNL in order to provide for consistency of academic policies and procedures and curricula throughout UNL. The Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources shall be the principal adviser to the Chancellor in matters affecting faculty status, including recommendations for promotion, continuous appointment, reappointment, and nonreappointment, for all personnel in the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. If the recommendation of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor differs from the recommendation of a dean or director, the Chancellor shall so inform the President and the Board of Regents.

1.5.3 

Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance. The Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance serves as the chief business and fiscal officer of UNL. The Vice Chancellor shall be responsible for the submission of budgets in proper form, for the administration of all budgets, accounting, and payroll, the receipt and disbursement of all funds, supervision of accounting for all research and other grant funds, auditing, financial system development and the preparation of all financial reports as required by the Board of Regents, the State of Nebraska, and the U. S. government. The Vice Chancellor shall also be responsible for the administering of all capital construction projects, custodial and maintenance aspects of the buildings, grounds, and equipment of the Lincoln campuses and outstate activities, the procurement of all supplies and materials, all inventory functions, security and parking, non-academic personnel and fringe benefits, and all special business services. The business operations of all auxiliary enterprises of UNL shall be subject to approval by the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance. He/she shall execute contracts and agreements as directed by the Board of Regents.

1.5.4 

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs serves as the executive officer in non-academic matters relating to student life at UNL. Within this context, this officer has a major responsibility for offering to the students educational, intellectual, recreational, and cultural programs and for developing a climate of community on the campus. The Vice Chancellor shall also develop and administer a series of services aimed at supporting the academic mission of UNL. Such services relate to admissions, records and registration, scholarships and financial aid. In those matters directly related to academic affairs, he/she shall be guided by decisions of the faculties of the various colleges in the exercise of their powers under Section 2.10 of the Regents Bylaws. Those agencies reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs include Office of Multicultural Affairs, University Health Services, University Housing, Academic Services, Student Involvement, Nebraska Unions, the Office of Campus Recreation, Career Services Center, Services for Students with Disabilities, Greek Affairs, and Student Judicial Affairs.

1.5.5 

Vice Chancellor for Research. The Vice Chancellor for Research serves as the executive officer in matters relating to research at UNL except as provided in Section 1.5.2. This officer shall have the responsibility for developing a productive climate for research throughout UNL, serving as liaison with State and Federal agencies, facilitating cooperative research with industry and other universities, fostering the transfer of UNL developed technology to commercial use and administering UNL-wide research related programs. The Vice Chancellor shall develop and administer policies for competitive grants and contracts through the Research Grants and Contracts Office and licenses and agreements through the Office of Technology Transfer. The Vice Chancellor will be responsible for policies related to indirect cost budgeting and allocation. Additionally, the Vice Chancellor shall encourage scholarly publication through the University Press and the acquisition and exhibition of scholarly collections through the University of Nebraska State Museum. The Vice Chancellor will administer University policies for such regulatory committees assigned to that office by the Chancellor.

1.6 

The Colleges. Colleges at UNL shall be organized and governed subject to the provisions of Sections 2.10 through 2.11 of the Regents Bylaws. Deans of colleges shall be chosen in accordance with Section 2.4.2 of these UNL Bylaws.
The following colleges are established at UNL: The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the College of Architecture, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the College of Engineering and Technology, the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, the College of Law, and the Teachers College.

1.6.1 

Continuing Studies. For administrative and governance purposes, the Division of Continuing Studies shall be considered equivalent to a college, and the chief administrative officer shall be the Dean of Continuing Studies who shall report to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Division of Continuing Studies of UNL shall assist in the planning and delivery of continuing education programs and provide services to the part-time student clientele not in residence at the institution.
The Division of Continuing Studies may establish a revolving fund for tuition and fees to help defray the expenses of its program.

1.6.2 

Graduate Studies. Graduate Studies at UNL shall be organized and conducted pursuant to the rules and bylaws of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska. In accordance with Section 2.4.2, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall appoint a Dean of Graduate Studies who shall be responsible for coordinating and administering graduate-level programs and policies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The UNL Dean of Graduate Studies, reporting to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, shall also maintain a close liaison relationship with the Executive Dean of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska. The governance of graduate programs that are principally lodged at UNL shall be by and through the graduate program committees and the UNL Graduate Council, in accordance with the authority delegated to these bodies by the Executive Graduate Council of the University-wide Graduate College.

1.6.3 

Summer Sessions. The Summer Sessions shall operate as an integral part of a continuing year-round program at UNL. The Director of Summer Sessions, reporting to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, shall have general responsibility for providing leadership and for developing and administering the Summer Sessions budget, instructional program, and activities program, subject to the provisions of Sections 1.5.3 and 1.5.4. The Director shall be responsible for administering policies recommended by the Summer Sessions Advisory Committee, composed of college deans and other appropriate administrative officers, and approved by the Chancellor.
Department chairs and deans of the colleges participating in Summer Sessions shall serve in their usual administrative capacities, including making recommendations for budget and program development and implementation. Faculty members may participate in and receive compensation for Summer Session activities in accord with Sections 3.3.1 and 3.4.4 of the Regents Bylaws.

1.7 

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Institute shall include the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Division, the Cooperative Extension Division, and the Conservation and Survey Division. Governance of the Institute shall be by its faculty; and each of the above units shall be headed by a dean, director, or other chief administrative officer.

1.7.1 

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Degree granting programs within the Institute shall be within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

1.7.2 

Agricultural Research Division. For administrative and governance purposes, the Division shall be considered equivalent to a college. Programs of research shall be administered through established departments or units within the Institute, departments within the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences, or other units of UNL, and through district research and extension centers.

The Dean and Director of the Agricultural Research Division shall have administrative responsibility for developing and executing cooperative research program relationships with colleges, departments, and other units of the University of Nebraska, and with such other state and federal agencies, industries, and organizations as may be consistent with the most effective conduct of its program.

1.7.3 

Cooperative Extension Division. For administrative and governance purposes, the Cooperate Extension Division shall be considered equivalent to a college. Programs of the Cooperative Extension Division shall be administered through established departments or units within the Institute, the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences, or other units of UNL, district research and extension centers, extension program units and counties.

The Dean and Director of the Cooperative Extension Division shall also have administrative responsibility for developing and executing cooperative extension programs concerning agriculture, natural resources, and human resources and family sciences with other units of the University of Nebraska, and with such other state and federal agencies, industries, and organizations as may be consistent with the most effective conduct of its program.

1.7.4 

Conservation and Survey Division. The Division shall be responsible for developing knowledge and understanding relative to conservation and use of Nebraska natural resources as defined by statute. The Division is authorized to enter into agreements with local, state, and federal agencies as may be necessary to carry on cooperative surveys and investigations subject to the Regents Bylaws.

1.8 

Academic Departments. The structure and administration of academic departments shall be in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Regents Bylaws. In cases where a search committee is not utilized to select a department chair, pursuant to Section 2.4.2 of these UNL Bylaws, the dean shall rely heavily upon the advice of the departmental faculty in selecting a new department chair. Continuation of the appointment of a department chair shall be in accord with Sections 2.3.2.1 of these UNL Bylaws.

1.9

Other Academic Units.

1.9.1

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries report to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Libraries shall be headed by a dean who shall have administrative authority for all budget and personnel recommendations affecting all UNL Libraries except for the Law Library which reports to the Dean of the Law College. The Dean of Libraries shall be selected in accordance with Section 2.4.2 of these UNL Bylaws. The dean shall consult regularly with the Academic Senate.

All collections purchased or owned by the UNL Libraries, including those housed in separate libraries, shall be a part of the UNL Libraries, under the supervision of the Dean of Libraries except for the Law Library. Subject to the approval of the Chancellor, separate branch libraries may be maintained as part of the UNL Libraries to serve the particular needs of the departments, schools, colleges, or institutes. Regulations for all UNL Libraries shall be subject to approval by the Dean of Libraries.

1.9.1.1

1.9.2

1.9.2.1

1.9.2.2

1.9.2.3

The University of Nebraska Press. The University of Nebraska Press may publish scholarly works and works of historical and literary significance consistent with its mission as an academic publisher and a major publisher of books about Nebraska and the Great Plains region. The Press will be administered by a Director consistent with the policies and procedures of the Board of Regents and in accordance with the provisions of the Regents Bylaws and statutes of the State of Nebraska. The Director shall be responsible for the administration of the Press and shall be selected in accordance with Section 2.6 of these UNL Bylaws.
The Press shall obtain copyright in the name of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on all new titles published. Copyrights may be assigned with the approval of the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance.

1.9.2.4

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Television. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Television program shall be headed by a Director who is administratively responsible for the programming, operation, and maintenance of UNL telecommunications facilities, and related activities such as the Great Plains National Instructional Television Library and Closed Circuit Instructional Television. The Director shall cooperate with the academic programs of the University in support of educational uses of the television medium.

1.10 

Campus-Wide Academic Committees

1.10.1 

Academic Planning Committee. To facilitate performance of the duties of the Chancellor specified in Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Regents Bylaws and Section 1.2 of these UNL Bylaws, and to enable the faculty governing body to act upon matters specified in Section 2.12.1 of the Regents Bylaws, an Academic Planning Committee is hereby created.

1.10.1.1 

Membership. The Academic Planning Committee shall consist of sixteen members as follows: (a) six faculty members elected as provided by the Academic Senate to staggered three-year terms. These members shall represent biological sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, and humanities with no more than two from a single college; (b) one faculty member at large selected by the UNL Graduate Council to serve a three-year term; (c) two academic deans selected by the Chancellor to serve three-year terms; (d) the President of the Academic Senate (or designee); (e) one undergraduate student and one graduate/professional student as selected by the President of ASUN; (f) the Director of Institutional Research and Planning for UNL who shall serve as secretary; (g) the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; (h) the Vice Chancellor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and (i) the Vice Chancellor for Research as an ex officio non-voting member. The Committee shall select its chair from among its faculty members.

1.10.1.2 

Responsibilities. The Academic Planning Committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

• A. The Committee shall formulate and recommend to the Academic Senate, to the Colleges, and to the Chancellor, goals for UNL in the areas of education (resident and extension), research, and service. These goals shall be coordinated with the responsibilities assigned to UNL as part of the structure under the control of the President of the University of Nebraska and the Board of Regents. The Committee shall, from time to time, review the stated goals and recommend modifications when appropriate.
• B. The Committee shall recommend action to achieve the goals of UNL. In carrying out this duty the Committee shall recommend procedures whereby new and existing academic programs may be studied and evaluated on a continuing basis. This study and evaluation shall include, but not be limited to:
  (i) the need for, and the goals of, the identified programs in terms of their relationship to the needs and goals of the State of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska, and the people affected by the programs;
  (ii) the resources available to meet the needs and goals identified in (i) supra;
  (iii) the resources not available, but necessary, to meet the needs and goals identified under (i) supra.
• C. The Committee shall review with the Chancellor or the appropriate Vice Chancellors the Comprehensive Facilities Plan, the campus master land-use plan, and facilities needs as they relate to academic and support program goals.
• D. In carrying out its duties, the Committee shall utilize all relevant information (including budget data) and expertise inside and outside the University of Nebraska.
• E. The Committee shall concern itself with goals, needs, and resources for a future period as long as is prudent and reasonable in view of the information and advice available.
• F. The Committee is empowered to recommend changes in programs, including elimination. The Committee shall promulgate and follow procedures agreeable to the Academic Senate and ASUN, guaranteeing that, before a change or elimination of a program is recommended, all persons connected to, or affected by, the program shall have access to all relevant information (including detailed budget data) and shall have an opportunity and a reasonable time to present data and opinions for the Committee to consider. In addition, the Committee shall recommend an effective date for implementation of program changes or elimination which will permit a reasonable period of time for persons to prepare for changes in, or elimination of, programs which affect them. In particular, notice of termination shall be in accord with Sections 4.4.2 and 4.12 of the Regents Bylaws. As particular reductions are considered, rights under academic tenure should be protected.
• G. Changes or elimination of existing programs shall include time and opportunity for existing personnel to qualify for a position in another program within the University whenever this requirement will not materially interfere with UNL achieving in full measure the goals of education, research, and service.

1.10.2 

Collegiate Academic Planning. The Academic Planning Committee shall encourage academic planning within the colleges and other units of UNL on a continuing basis through joint faculty-administrative-student action. The Academic Planning Committee shall be represented on all Academic Program Review teams and shall comment on the review process and visiting team report to the appropriate vice chancellor.

1.10.3 

Financial Exigency. Financial exigency is a bona fide situation of such serious and widespread proportions, caused by financial circumstances beyond the control of UNL, that normal operations cannot be maintained and UNL programs must therefore be significantly altered.
Financial exigency for UNL shall be declared by the Board of Regents based upon a recommendation by the Chancellor in consultation with President. The Chancellor's recommendation shall be made only after all relevant information bearing upon the problem has been made available to the Academic Planning Committee following the procedures described in the Procedures to be Invoked for Significant Budget Reallocations and Budget Reductions (Adopted by the Academic Senate on December 8, 1992 and ASUN on February 10, 1993), and operating as the Financial Exigency Committee described in Regents Policy 4.2.11.

The Academic Planning Committee shall assist the Chancellor in seeking remedies for a financial exigency. Such remedies may include elimination of faculty, staff, and administrative positions. Recommendations by the Academic Planning Committee for such elimination shall be governed by the Procedures to be Invoked for Significant Budget Reallocations and Reductions. Persons affected by a declaration of financial exigency under Section 4.16 of the Regents Bylaws shall have the right to appeal to the appropriate grievance committee, or to the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Regents Bylaws.

1.10.4 

Teaching Council. The Teaching Council shall have major responsibility for the encouragement and support of efforts to improve instruction and learning at all levels at UNL. Funds appropriated specifically for improvement of instruction and learning and made available to the Council by the Chancellor shall be expended with the advice of the Teaching Council.

1.10.4.1 

Membership. The Teaching Council shall consist of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (or designee), the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center, two members chosen by the collegiate deans, six members appointed by the President of the Academic Senate from a list of nominees provided by the Committee on Committees, and four students appointed by ASUN, including at least one graduate student. Members shall be chosen in such a manner as to represent the spectrum of instructional programs at UNL as widely as possible, and no more than three members may be persons who hold administrative positions of department chair or higher.

1.10.5 

Research Council. The major purpose of the Research Council shall be to encourage and support research, scholarly activity and creative activity at UNL. The major functions and responsibilities of the Council are, thus, to promote the search for funds for support of research, to advise the Vice Chancellor for Research on research policies, programs and procedures, and to review all research policies, programs and procedures. The Vice Chancellor for Research shall regularly consult with the Research Council. The Council shall participate with the Vice Chancellor for Research in decisions affecting matters within the purview of the Research Council. The Council may recommend to the Chancellor and the Board of Regents summer research appointments for faculty members. The Council shall also be responsible for the distribution of funds allocated to it to support research, creative activity, and scholarly activity.

1.10.5.1 

Membership. The Research Council shall consist of twelve faculty members on Continuous Appointment whose research, scholarly activity, or creative activity is recognized at the national level. Three shall be selected from each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Members shall be appointed by the President of the Academic Senate, in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Research, to three-year staggered terms. Appointments shall be made from a list of nominees, designating at least two for each position, that is prepared by the Academic Senate Committee on Committees upon advice of the Vice Chancellor for Research. The Research Council shall elect one of the faculty members as chair. The Vice Chancellor for Research, or designee, shall serve as a non-voting executive secretary.

1.11 

Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics shall be headed by a Director appointed by and reporting to the Chancellor and approved by the President and the Board of Regents. The Director is responsible for intercollegiate athletic programs, related service functions, and the maintenance and use of intercollegiate athletic facilities on the Lincoln campuses. The Director shall be responsible for compliance with all appropriate internal and external rules and regulations relating to intercollegiate athletics. In carrying out his/her duties, the Director consults an appropriate committee of the Academic Senate.