Institutes and Centers are established to focus in-depth study and research on broadly defined educational, social, economic and scientific problems and issues. To varying degrees, institutes/centers encompass research, service and instructional activities that supplement and extend classroom programs of instruction and research.
The terms "institute" and "center" refer to an administrative entity to which is assigned a research-service mission. Institutes and centers are divided into four categories: Type I-IV. Type I institutes and centers have a statewide mission and involve two or more universities. There is a joint responsibility for Type I institutes/centers seated in the Council of Presidents. Each Type I institute/center has an advisory board made up of representatives appointed by the presidents of the participating institutions, and an ex officio member appointed by the Chancellor. Each Type I institute/center receives a specific allocation of state funds from the Board of Regents and/or the Legislature for its operation. Usually, the other three types of institutes and centers function within the jurisdiction of a single university. Accordingly, there is no State University System requirement to have an advisory board.
Type II institutes and centers are supported in whole or in part by university appropriations and have an identifiable budget supported by an allocation from a university Education & General budget entity, or from a special unit such as the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Health Center, or University of South Florida Medical Center. They have faculty who may receive some portion of their salaries from the institute or center and who have specific duties for that unit which are reported on the Faculty Activity Report.
Type III institutes and centers are entities created by the Florida Legislature which usually have the words "institute" or "center" in their titles. Their main funding originates outside of the regular Board of Regents budget request. They have faculty who may receive some portion of their salaries from the institute or center and who have specific duties for that unit which are reported on the Faculty Activity Report.
Type IV institutes and centers receive no budgeted university support or specific state appropriated funding. Faculty activities in these centers are informal and unscheduled and therefore are not reported on Faculty Activity Reports. Faculty are housed in and are primarily affiliated with their academic departments where their activities are assigned.
To establish an institute or center for the purpose of facilitating research or service, a formal proposal should be developed utilizing the format and guidelines incorporated in the SUS revised standard practice transmitted via Chancellor's Memorandum CM-79-06.2 dated April 28, 1989. Proposals are to be submitted to the appropriate department chairperson. After approval by appropriate departments and deans of schools and colleges concerned, the proposal will be forwarded to the Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs. When appropriate, the Provost may seek a recommendation from the Vice President for Research and the Council on Research and Creativity. After approval by the Provost, the proposal will be forwarded to the BOR Office of Academic Programs.
In order to establish a Type I institute or center, a prospective host university must apply for Board of Regents approval at least 90 days prior to the date for submitting the biennial Legislative budget. [This deadline is usually late May or early June]. Within 60 days of the receipt of the proposal the item will be considered by the Council of Presidents. To obtain eligibility for funding as a Type I institute/center, a request for funding must be reviewed by the Council of Presidents and approved by the Board of Regents prior to inclusion in the State University System Budget.
In the event the Legislature appropriates or earmarks funds for an institute or center (i.e., Type III) which has not followed this procedure, the host institution will be expected to submit the information delineated in the standard practice and seek approval prior to the expenditure of appropriated funds. Where an institute or center is established by law, it will operate in accordance with State University System policies, rules and procedures as well as legislative intent.
Universities may seek to establish Type II, Type III or Type IV institutes and centers at any time. Such centers may be implemented by the university upon notification to and approval by the Chancellor. Universities shall notify the Chancellor immediately whenever they disband such a unit.
Most institutes/centers should operate under the dean of the appropriate school or college. If the institute/center cuts across school or college lines, either a group of deans should be responsible in a committee drawn from the appropriate schools or colleges, or the organization placed under the supervision of a central University office such as the Vice President for Research, or the Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs.
Each institute/center which cuts across departmental lines should be overseen by a board or advisory committee appointed by the appropriate level administrator and selected from nominees of the departments most affected by the research organization.
The director of an institute/center will be appointed by the appropriate level administrator for a specified time from nominees provided by the governing board or supervisory committee of the research organization.
In addition to the continuous kind of evaluation that is assumed to take place by the administrators of organizations, and by the approval authority which established each organization, periodic evaluations may be sought from the Council on Research and Creativity and outside consultants.
While a research organization may take the initiative in recruitment of new faculty, and may provide some of the funds for faculty salaries, appointment of new faculty members with academic rank is through departments only. Such persons must take an active part in their home departments so that other members of the department, especially the chairperson, are well acquainted with their performance.
While nothing in this policy forbids the employment of research personnel on a staff basis for work in research organizations, it must be observed that faculty positions with academic rank temporarily paid for by research funds must be backed up by regular faculty line positions.