2.0 UNIVERSITY GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

The University of Oklahoma is part of a state-wide educational program called the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. Having been established by constitutional authority in 1941, the state system is younger than the University of Oklahoma and is made up of all institutions of higher education supported wholly or partially by legislative appropriations. The coordinating body, called the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is composed of nine members. Following appointment by the governor and confirmation by the state senate, board members serve nine-year terms. One member of the board is replaced each year. Responsibilities of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education include setting standards of higher education (including requirements for the admission of students), determining the functions and courses of study at each institution, granting degrees and other forms of academic recognition, recommending higher education's funding needs to the legislature, allocating state appropriations to individual institutions, and determining the fees of all institutions of the system. (Article III-A, Sections 2 and 3, Constitution of Oklahoma)

2.2 THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA REGENTS

By constitutional authority, the government of the university is vested in the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. The board is composed of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate. Each member serves a seven-year term unless appointed to fill an unexpired term. One member is replaced each year. Meetings are held monthly, except during the month of August, to conduct the university's business. The powers and duties of the board are set out in the Oklahoma statutes. (Article XIII, Section 8, Constitution of Oklahoma; Title 70, Section 3301, et seq., Oklahoma Statutes, 1991)

2.3 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

The administrative organization exists to provide leadership and to facilitate University of Oklahoma goals, objectives and services. As an operating philosophy, the university's purposes can best be achieved in an atmosphere of shared governance, mutual planning and implementation of decisions, and the recognition and encouragement of contributions by members of the university community.

2.4 PRESIDENT

As the chief executive and academic officer of the university, the president is responsible to the board of regents of the university for the administration of the institution. All authority delegated by the regents is administered through the president, who may in turn delegate responsibility and authority to other institutional administrative officials.

2.5 STAFF GOVERNANCE ORGANIZATIONS

Governance organizations for staff employees exist on the Norman campus and at the Health Sciences Center. The Staff Senate represents staff employees on the Norman campus. Its representatives are selected by five member groups known as the Council of Administrative Officers, the Administrative Staff Council, the Managerial Staff Association, the Professional Staff Association and the Hourly Employees Council. Staff employees on the Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses elect representatives of specified geographical areas to their governance organization, known as the Employee Liaison Council. The purpose of the staff governance organizations is to provide staff employees a means to participate in decisions regarding policy matters of the university affecting working conditions of its employees. Both governance groups function as an advisory and policy-referral body to the university administration and to the staff employees represented. (Charter and Bylaws of the Staff Senate for the University of Oklahoma, approved 11-11-71, as amended; Charter and Bylaws of the Employee Liaison Council, as amended)

2.6 COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES

A system of councils and committees is essential to the operation of the university. They are basic to a collegial environment and assure participation by all segments of the university community in the interest of achieving institutional goals and objectives. They also serve to keep the faculty and staff advised of current issues; utilize the unique talents and expertise available on the campuses; and provide interaction among faculty, students, staff and administrators.

Councils and committees are given clearly stated assignments in writing, and they are asked to give periodic reports to their constituencies. The committee structure of the institution is kept flexible and is subject to periodic review and revision. A current listing of councils and committees, their assignments and their membership is available in the office of the president. Councils make recommendations to the president on policy and programs in areas of vital significance to the functioning of the university as an educational institution as well as special extracurricular areas that deserve the attention of the full representation of the university community. Certain councils are created by the board of regents. Others are established upon recommendation of the Faculty Senates and approval by the president.

Standing committees provide the president and other members of the administration with advice and assistance regarding areas of university activity that are important to the fulfillment of an educational mission but are of less fundamental significance than the areas of council concern. Administrative advisory committees are established by officers of the university for subjects not covered by the council or standing committee structure. These committees are composed of members selected by the establishing official. The number and purposes of these committees are regularly reviewed by the president.

Task forces are established from time to time as ad hoc committees designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Members of a task force are selected by the appointing body or officer. Dissolution occurs when the assigned task is completed or at the discretion of the appointing body or officer. (Extracted from "Structure of University Councils and Committees" and from the "Charters and Listings of the Councils and Committees"). Administrative search committees are formed to assist in the selection of the president, vice presidents, provosts, vice provosts and academic deans. Search committees may also be used in the search for any other unique position such as administrative officers. Specific guidelines are applicable for the make-up of these committees (Sections 2.3.10 and 2.7.7, Faculty Handbook). back / next To Index