The Provost is the chief academic officer of the university and has responsibility for the academic affairs of the university.  Given the broad scope of Academic Affairs, numerous offices and entities are under the umbrella of the Provost’s Office.  These include, for example, all academic schools and colleges, the Van Houten Library, the Office of Graduate Studies, the Office of International Students and Faculty, and the Office for Information Services and Technology.  All of the faculty and instructional staff ultimately “report” to the Provost.  The Provost collaborates with the President in setting overall academic priorities for the University and allocates funds to carry these priorities forward.  The Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs is a member of the university’s senior administration; should the President be away or otherwise unavailable, the Provost may act as President should the need arise

The following individuals report to the Provost:  the Deans of the five academic schools and colleges, the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Associate Provost for Information Services and Technology and Chief Information Officer, and the University Librarian.  The Provost’s office staff includes the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs, the Assistant to the Provost for Academic Affairs, the Assistant to the Provost for Budget and Finance, and the Administrative Assistant. 

Overall responsibilities include managing the academic budgets to ensure optimum teaching and learning experiences; developing academic policies; oversight of the promotion and tenure process; oversight of all committees reporting to the Office of the Provost; oversight of convocation and commencement; international activities; the university infrastructure for computing and networking; and oversight of various awards for teaching, research, and service.  The Provost’s Office also works closely with the Office of Research and Development and the Office of Academic and Student Support Services.