BOG Governance Rule 1.2 - Administration

Governance

BOG Governance Rule 1.2 - Administration

Responsible Unit:  Office of the President

Amended:  April 21, 2023

Effective:  May 12, 2023

Revision History:  Prior BOG Policy 5 (Originally effective September 6, 2002); Prior BOG Policy 6 (Originally effective September 6, 2002); rewritten as BOG Rule 1.2 and adopted January 24, 2018 (effective February 13, 2018).

Review Date:  April 2028

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1. PURPOSE & SCOPE.

   1. This Rule addresses West Virginia University Board of Governors administrative matters relating to: (1) changes in the administrative and academic structure of the University; (2) the naming of University Facilities or Academic Units; and (3) the statutorily required University Master Plan.

2. SUBSTANTIAL ORGANIZATION CHANGE TO THE UNIVERSITY.

   1. The President may, for purposes of organizational efficiency or other administrative or academic purposes, implement changes in the administrative and academic structures of the University or within the organization of colleges, schools, divisions, departments or other administrative units.
   2. The President shall inform the Board of Governors of any Substantial Organization Changes prior to implementation. The Board of Governors reserves the right to take action on any Substantial Organizational Change prior to implementation.
   3. Where appropriate as determined by the President, the President may consult with Faculty Senate, Classified Staff Council, Student Representatives, and other applicable individuals or groups prior to implementing any Substantial Organization Change.

3. NAMING OF UNIVERSITY FACILITIES AND ACADEMIC UNITS.

   1. The Board of Governors shall establish an official name of Facilities or Academic Units upon recommendation of the President.
   2. The President may recommend names in honor of benefactors (individuals, corporations, private foundations, and other organizations or groups), and persons or other parties who have made substantial contributions to the University or to education in general.
      1. The naming of Facilities and Academic Units must undergo a high level of consideration and due diligence to ensure that the name comports with the purpose and mission of the University.
      2. No naming shall be permitted for any corporation or individual whose public image, products, or services may conflict with such purpose and mission. Subject to Section 3.2.5, if the name of a corporation changes after a Facility or Academic Unit is named for the corporation, the name of the Facility or Academic Unit would remain the same unless a change is recommended by the President.
      3. No naming shall be permitted for individuals who have been employed at the University during the three (3) previous years, unless an exception is made by the Board of Governors.
      4. If the University is considering naming an Academic Unit or a Facility to recognize one or more monetary benefactors of the University, the President shall consult with the WVU Foundation to seek recommendations as to whether: (1) the benefactor exemplifies attributes of purpose; integrity; and alignment with mission, vision, and values of the University; and (2) the philanthropic commitment of the benefactor is commensurate with the nature and type of the proposed naming.
      5. In all instances, the Board retains the ultimate discretion in determining whether to name Facilities and Academic Units.
      6. The Board may elect to name a Facility or Academic Unit for a specific term or limited period of time.
   3. The Board reserves the right to re-name Facilities and Academic Units in the event of unusual or compelling circumstances.
   4. In the event that a Facility or Academic Unit, or any part thereof, named for a benefactor is demolished, removed, replaced, or fully renovated, the University shall not be obligated to continue the name, nor shall it be obligated to name any new construction intended to replace the Facility or Academic Unit, or any part thereof, after the benefactor. The University may seek other means to recognize the benefactor after the useful life of that Facility or Academic Unit.

4. UNIVERSITY MASTER PLAN.

   1. The Board of Governors delegates to the President the responsibility for complying with W. Va. Code §18B-2A-4(b), which requires the University to develop a University Master Plan.
   2. The University’s Master Plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following components:
      1. A detailed demonstration of how the Master Plan will be used to meet the goals, objections, and priorities of any compacts the University has entered into;
      2. A well-developed set of goals, objectives, and priorities outlining missions, degree offerings (including any additions or deletions of academic programs), resource requirements, physical plant needs, personnel needs, enrollment levels and other planning determinates and projections necessary in a plan to assure that the needs of the University’s area of responsibility for a quality system of higher education are addressed;
      3. Steps taken to meet the West Virginia legislatively established policies established in W. Va. Code §18B-1D-1, et. seq., including reports on each of the data elements identified in that section;
      4. Data relating to retention and graduation rates for resident students at the University and within each college or school at the University; and
      5. Documentation showing how the University encouraged, as appropriate, the participation of faculty, staff, students, and the general public in the development of its Master Plan.
   3. The Master Plan shall be established for a period of not fewer than three years and not more than five years.
      1. The Master Plan shall be updated at least bi-annually. It may be updated more frequently at the discretion of the President.
   4. The University shall provide bi-annually a copy of its Master Plan, including any updated revisions, to the West Virginia Legislative Overnight Commission on Education Accountability and to the Higher Education Policy Commission.

5. DEFINITIONS.

   1. “Academic Units” means campuses, colleges, schools, departments, centers, and institutes.
   2. “Facilities” means any building, farms, roads, plazas, and athletic fields or other playing surfaces used for athletic practice/training or competition.
   3. “President” means the President of West Virginia University or his or her designee.
   4. “Substantial Organizational Change” means any material and significant change to the University’s organization that affects the mission of the University or otherwise has statewide impact. These Changes do not include staff changes for existing positions within the University.

6. DELEGATION.

   1. The Board of Governors delegates to the President the authority to adopt additional internal policies and procedures to effectuate the implementation of this Board of Governors Rule or in furtherance of any other authority that the Board of Governors has specifically delegated to the President pursuant to this Rule. Any actions taken pursuant to this delegation must be consistent with the guidelines provided by this Rule.

7. AUTHORITY.

   1. W. Va. Code §§ 6-9A-3; 18B-1-6; 18B-2A-3; and 18B-2A-4(a), (b), and (t).

8. SUPERSEDES.

   1. This Rule supersedes and replaces Higher Education Policy Commission (“HEPC”) Series 13 (W. Va. Code R. §§ 133-13-1 to -2), which was adopted April 19, 2002; and any other Rule of the HEPC which relates to the subject matter contained within this Rule. This Rule also supersedes and replaces West Virginia University Board of Governors Policy 5 and 6, any internal policy or procedure which relates to the subject matter contained within this Rule.

Effective: May 12, 2023

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