Centers, Institutes, and Units

As part of the initial conceptualization of a Center, Institute, or Unit, there are a few essential decisions to make. These can be changed later in the proposal process, but these determinations are necessary to get started.

1. Focus Area
   Will the proposed CIU focus primarily on research or on other areas.   
2. Level 
   At what level will the proposed CIU be overseen (institutional, divisional, or college)?
3. Type
   Using the definitions below, determine the most appropriate type for the CUI (research, institute, or academic or support unit). 

A Research Center provides an organizational base for research in a given academic area or closely related areas. It often provides a vehicle for interdisciplinary research in a given area involving faculty and students from a variety of internal administrative structures. A center may be involved in offering continuing education activities related to its area(s) of interest. The center structure may facilitate efforts of the college or university to obtain extramural funding in specific areas. It serves as a formalized link between the academic community and the professional community in the area(s) of focus. A center, however, is not an autonomous structure within the internal statutory organization of a college or university. It is administratively most often an appendage of one of the traditional administrative structures, such as a department. A center is not involved in the independent offering of credit course or degree programs.

An Institute shares a center’s focus on research, provision of opportunity for interdisciplinary activity, involvement in continuing education activities, value in facilitating efforts to obtain extramural funding, and service as a link between the academic and professional communities. An institute, however, is a far more formalized structure and may be equivalent to an autonomous unit within the internal structure of the college or university such as a department, division, school or (university level) college. Unlike a center, an institute may offer credit courses and degree programs.

Kennesaw State University has the authority to create academic, non-academic, and/or support units that advance the mission and strategic priorities of the institution. Such units do not meet the USG definitions of a Research Center or Institute listed above. 

Step 1: Initial Concept Proposal

Submission

• Review the Definitions above to determine the Focus, Level, and Type of entity you wish to propose.
• Complete the Initial Concept Proposal Template briefly describe the entity you would like to create.  
• Share the concept with colleagues, your supervisor and others in the supervisory chain to get feedback on the concept and proposal.
• Complete the CIU Initial Concept Form to upload the Initial Concept Proposal Template and start the review process.

Review & Approval

• The CIU Initial Concept Form will be routed for review to either the VP of Research, the Division VP, and/or College Dean depending on the Focus, Oversight Level, and Type.
• The reviewer(s) may contact the submitter for additional discussion.  
• The submitter will receive notification via email indicating if the initial concept was approved or denied.
• If the initial concept is approved, proceed to Step 2.  

Step 2:  New CIU Proposal

Submission

• As guided by the Oversight VP and/or College Dean, share the concept with colleagues, your supervisor and others in the supervisory chain to get feedback on the concept and to build support for the proposal.
• In collaboration with the Oversight VP and/or College Dean, complete the New CIU Proposal Template. This template is similar to the Initial Concept Proposal Template, but the full proposal goes more deeply into the descriptions and considerations.
• Complete the CIU Full Proposal Form to upload the Proposal Template and start the review process.

Guidance Groups

• The Oversight VP and/or College Dean will communicate with the appropriate groups about this proposed CIU to ensure collaboration and transparency for the proposal. This may include communication with other VPs, division leaders, and/or the college deans.

Review

• New CIU proposals will be formally reviewed by the Deans' Council, Provost, and others as identified by the Provost. 

Approval

• Proposals for research centers or institutes, must also be approved by the President according to USG policy. 
• Proposals for academic or student support units can be approved by the Provost.