Centers and Institutes

I. Policy Statement and Purpose

Centers and Institutes are established within UNC Charlotte to strengthen and enrich programs of research, public service, or instruction conducted by University faculty and staff. They may also provide undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with added research opportunities, facilities, and assistance, as well as enhance students’ involvement in public service and educational activities.

Centers and Institutes have a strong positive impact on the economic development of the state by providing job opportunities, supplying technical assistance and training, fostering community development, and enhancing the transfer of new technologies. By engaging in partnerships with organizations such as private or corporate sponsors, educational institutions, and federal or state agencies, Centers and Institutes serve as an important means to address the diverse mission of the University.

As specifically provided in UNC Board of Governors’ Regulations for Planning, Establishing, and Reviewing Centers and Institutes in the University of North Carolina Regulation 400.5[R]), the primary mission of a Center or Institute must be research, public service, or instruction.

Institutional Centers or Institutes may collaborate with units or departments from other institutions, agencies, or organizations for specific activities or projects, but fiscal and administrative oversight is limited to a single institution. Interinstitutional Centers and Institutes are established pursuant to Regulation 400.5[R]. This University Policy 314 governs institutional Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte.

II. Definitions

The terms “Center,” “Institute,” “Institutional Center,” “Interinstitutional Center,” “University System Multi-Campus Center,” “Research Center,” “Public Service Center,” and “Instructional Center” are defined in the Procedures for Establishing, Reviewing, and Discontinuing Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte, supplemental to this Policy.

III. Procedures

Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte are established and discontinued by the Board of Trustees, following a recommendation by the Chancellor.  Proposals by the dean of the lead college to establish or discontinue a Center or Institute must be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Research, who will initially evaluate them and will make recommendations to the Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor for Research may appoint five faculty members to serve on a Centers & Institutes Committee (CIC) to secure advice on matters related to establishing, evaluating, and discontinuing centers and institutes, as needed. If the Chancellor agrees with the recommendation of the Vice Chancellor, the Chancellor will present their recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

The director of each new Center or Institute will be appointed in accordance with the Procedures for Establishing, Reviewing, and Discontinuing Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte, supplemental to this Policy.  Each Center or Institute, through its director, is responsible to the Vice Chancellor for Research or, by their delegation, to another administrative officer. 

The Procedures for Establishing, Reviewing, and Discontinuing Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte provide a uniform framework governing the establishment, review, and discontinuation of Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte in accordance with this Policy and ensure the effective and efficient use of University resources.

IV. Roles and Responsibilities

The Vice Chancellor for Research is responsible for implementation of this Policy and the Procedures for Establishing, Reviewing, and Discontinuing Centers and Institutes at UNC Charlotte, and will ensure that those procedures meet all requirements of the Regulations for Planning, Establishing, and Reviewing Centers and Institutes in the University of North Carolina (Regulation 400.5[R]).