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Handbook of Operating Procedures

University Governance

Policy Number: 161

Subject:

University governance structure

Scope:

Employees and students

Date Reviewed:
May 2020
Responsible Office:
Office of the President
Responsible Executive:
President

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

This policy describes the governance structure of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University").

II. PROCEDURE

The University, its employees and its students must comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System (“UT System”) and the policies of UT System.  Additionally, the University, its employees and its students must comply with applicable state and federal law and regulations.

The official policies of the University are contained in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (“HOOP”). Employees and students are required to be familiar with and to comply with University policy. For more information see HOOP Policy 128 Policy and Procedure Development and Maintenance.

A. Leadership

President

The President is the University's chief administrative officer. The duties and responsibilities of the President are set forth in Regents’ Rule 20201, Presidents. The President reports to and is responsible to the Chancellor.

Executive Leadership and Deans

The executive leaders of the University and their positions are listed on the University's web site. Members of executive leadership and the deans serve at the pleasure of the President without fixed terms and perform such duties as are assigned by the President. The Board of Regents of UT System has delegated to the President the responsibility for appointment and dismissal of all executive leadership of the University, subject to approval by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, in accordance with Regents’ Rule 20102, Appointment of Institutional Administrative Officers. The President, as he or she deems appropriate, may consult in the selection process of executive leaders with representatives of the faculty, staff, and student body. However, the President is not bound by recommendations of University search committees.

B. Advisory Councils

Executive Council: The Executive Council is appointed by the President.  Its purpose is to advise the President on policy development, management and administration of the University.  It is composed of the University's executive leadership and the deans and serves as a forum for strategic planning.

Clinical Leadership Council: The Clinical Leadership Council is appointed by the President. Its purpose is to advise the President on clinical, financial and administrative operations of the physician group practice. The Clinical Leadership Council serves as a forum for strategic planning and increasing patient access to high quality care.

University Leadership Council:  The University Leadership Council is comprised of key University leadership stakeholders and chairs of Interfaculty Council, Student InterCouncil and University Classified Staff Council.  The University Leadership Council serves as a forum for strategic planning and the bi-directional communication of ideas and information between the University and the faculty, students and staff in the Schools and other operating units of the University.  

Interfaculty Council: The Interfaculty Council acts as an advisory body to the President. The primary purposes of the Interfaculty Council are to increase communication among and between the faculty and the administration and to promote matters of importance to the faculties of the University.  The Bylaws of the Interfaculty Council provide more information on this council.  See also HOOP 42, Faculty Organization.

Student InterCouncil: The Student InterCouncil is the University's student governance organization and is the recognized forum for student opinion and the primary vehicle for student participation in University governance. The organization is comprised of representatives from each of the six schools and from the underrepresented student and international student constituencies. The Bylaws of the Student InterCouncil provide more information on this council.  See also HOOP 54, Student Government.

University Classified Staff Council: The University Classified Staff Council advises the President and the University Leadership Council on matters of importance to classified employees. The Bylaws of the University Classified Staff Council provide more information regarding this council.

HOOP Review Committee: The committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Executive Council regarding University policies and procedures. The HOOP Review Committee membership includes the President or designee as well as various University stakeholders and representatives from the Interfaculty Council, Student InterCouncil and University Classified Staff Council.   See HOOP 128, Policy and Procedure Development and Maintenance.

C. Administrative Committees

Audit Committee: The committee is a component of the University's risk management and internal control infrastructure. Its primary responsibilities are to assist the President in the oversight of the University's internal auditing function and the reporting of risk management and audit activities to UT System. Membership is determined by the President with input from the chief audit executive and includes external members and members of executive leadership. The chair of the audit committee is nominated by the President and approved by the chair of the UT System Audit, Compliance and Management Review Committee.

Executive Compliance Committee: The committee provides advice and guidance to the President and the Chief Compliance Officer on the design and operation of the Institutional Compliance Program (“Program”). The Executive Compliance Committee functions as the principal policy-making and disciplinary action body for the Program. Membership is determined by the President with input from the Chief Compliance Officer.

D. Standing Committees

Standing committees of the University are those permanent committees appointed to deal with a specified subject. They are listed on the standing committee homepage.  The Executive Council must approve the creation, revision or elimination of University standing committees. 

E. Role of Employees

Employee involvement in University governance may include membership - voting and nonvoting - on University and operating unit committees and councils. When they do not hold membership in these bodies, employees may place matters for action on their agendas and shall receive a prompt report on the disposition of these matters.

At the University level, the Interfaculty Council serves as the vehicle for faculty participation in governance, and the University Classified Staff Council serves as the vehicle for classified staff participation in governance.

Subject to the authority of the UT System Board of Regents and to the authority vested in the offices and subdivisions of UT System and the executive leadership of the University, the faculties of the University regularly offering instruction shall have a major role in the governance of the University in the following areas:

  • general academic policies and welfare;
  • student life and activities;
  • requirements of admission and graduation;
  • honors and scholastic performance generally;
  • approval of candidates for degrees; and,
  • faculty rules of procedure.

1. Proposing Changes to University Policy

Employees who wish to propose changes to University policies and procedures should submit their proposal to the HOOP Review Committee in accordance with HOOP Policy 128 Policy and Procedure Development and Maintenance.

2. Proposing Changes to Regents’ Rules and Regulations

Faculty members who wish to propose changes to the Regents’ Rules and Regulations should submit written proposals to the Interfaculty Council, which will coordinate review and approval by the various faculties at each school. Classified staff should submit written proposals to the University Classified Staff Council. Administrative and professional employees should submit written proposals to the Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. If approved, proposals will be submitted to the President for consideration. The President may forward the proposal to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and the Chancellor for consideration if in agreement with the proposal. The Chancellor may forward the proposal to the Board of Regents for consideration if in agreement with the proposal.

F. Role of Students

Student involvement in University governance may include membership - voting and nonvoting - on institutional and operating unit committees and councils. When they do not hold membership on these bodies, students may place matters for action on their agendas and shall receive a prompt report on the disposition of these matters.

At the institutional level, the Student InterCouncil is the recognized forum of student opinion and serves as the primary vehicle for student participation in the governance of the University. Students who wish to propose changes to the Regents’ Rules and Regulations should submit written proposals to the Student InterCouncil.  If approved, proposals will be submitted to the Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer (“EVP/CAO”) for consideration. The EVP/CAO may forward the proposal to the President for consideration if in agreement with the proposal. The President may forward the proposal to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and the Chancellor for consideration if in agreement with the proposal. The Chancellor may forward the proposal to the Board of Regents for consideration if in agreement with the proposal.

III. CONTACTS

    • President's Office
    • 713-500-3002
    • https://www.uth.edu/president/