Overview

The University of Arkansas is the original campus and flagship institution of the University of Arkansas System. A 10-member Board of Trustees, each member appointed by the governor to a 10-year term, makes policy for the 20  campus units, divisions, and administrative units of the system.

Board of Trustees Policy 100.4 specifies general governance and administrative rules and regulations for the Board of Trustees, its committees, and campuses and units of the system. Excerpts from Chapter III, Administration, are provided below.

Board of Trustees Policy 810.1, Articles of Local Campus Government for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville contains information on the Faculty, Faculty Senate, College and School at-Large Faculties, the Students, the Student Senate, the Staff, the Staff Senate, and the Campus Council. The complete texts of the policies are available at the web sites provided below:

Board of Trustees Policy 100.4 Rules and Regulations of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas for the Governance and Administration of the University of Arkansas, https://www.uasys.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/06/0100-4-BOT-Rules-Regs.pdf

Board of Trustees Policy 810.1 Articles of Local Campus Government for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (Effective July 1, 1995; Revised March 30, 2012), https://www.uasys.edu/wp- content/uploads/sites/16/2018/04/810.1-UAF-Local-Campus-Government.pdf

Board of Trustees Policy 100.4, Chapter III, Administration (excerpt):

  1. General Provisions

The administration of the University of Arkansas, under the authority of the Board of Trustees, is unified in the office of the President.

  1. The President

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Arkansas and shall be appointed by and responsible to the Board of Trustees. The President shall have a discussion annually with the Board of Trustees concerning an evaluation of his or her performance. Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees and the laws applicable to the University of Arkansas, the President shall be responsible for the management of the affairs and execution of the policies of the University of Arkansas and all of its campuses, divisions, and units of administration. The President shall have broad discretionary authority to effect these functions and meet these responsibilities of the office. The President shall attend and shall participate in, without the privilege of voting, all of the meetings of the Board of Trustees and of its committees, except as excused by the Board.

The President and the Chief Fiscal Officer, as provided in Board Policy 300.1, shall have the authority to contract on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the University of Arkansas.

As chief executive, the President shall be the official administrative spokesperson for the University of Arkansas and the officer responsible for liaison with the General Assembly, the Governor, state offices and governmental bodies, and the federal government. The President shall be responsible to the Board of Trustees for the prompt and effective enforcement of all laws relating to the University and of all resolutions, policies and procedures, budgets, and rules and regulations adopted by the Board for the operation of the University and all of its campuses, divisions and units of administration. It shall be the President's duty to bring to the attention of the Board all matters which, in his or her opinion, affect the University and require consideration by the Board. There shall be appropriate materials provided to the Board members and sufficient time for thoughtful discussion before decisions are required. The President shall make recommendations to the Board for securing the necessary personnel and the fiscal resources required for the operation of the University and shall make recommendations with respect to the adoption, modification or rescission of policies, budgets, and regulations applicable to the University and all of its campuses, divisions, and units of administration.

The President shall prepare and submit to the Board of Trustees an annual report to correspond with the fiscal year of the University and, in addition, any other reports he or she may deem wise or as the Board may require.

The President shall coordinate the activities of the University and all of its constituent campuses and units in accordance with the principles prescribed by the Board of Trustees. The President shall adjudicate all issues of jurisdiction and all issues in dispute between or among the constituent campuses and administrative units of the University. The President shall be a member of all faculties on all campuses of the University and shall have the responsibilities of facilitating the promotion of goals, programs, and needs of each campus after consultation with the Chancellor. The President shall establish administrative organizations to assist in the execution of the policies of the University of Arkansas. The President shall be assisted by Vice Presidents and other staff officers and by Chancellors of the several campuses of the University. The President shall prescribe the duties and assignments of the Vice Presidents and other staff officers. Furthermore, the President shall, in consultation with the Chancellors, establish and define the duties of university wide councils, committees, or other bodies organized to advise and assist him or her. All official communications from faculty, staff, and students on a particular campus or unit shall emanate through the appropriate Chancellor or Director to the President.

The President's duties and responsibilities as defined herein expressly exclude any duties on behalf of or in connection with The University of Arkansas Foundation, Inc. ("Foundation"). It is expressly contemplated by the Board that the President may, if he or she so desires, and with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees, enter into a consulting contract or other arrangement with the Foundation in regard to fund raising and other activities for the Foundation. Such consulting agreement shall not include any of the duties defined above.

  1. The Chancellors

The Board of Trustees shall appoint the Chancellor of any campus upon recommendation of the President. The Chancellor of a campus shall exercise complete executive authority thereon, subject to the policies established by the Board of Trustees and the President. The Chancellor shall be the leader of and the official spokesperson for the campus and shall promote the educational excellence and general development and welfare of the campus. The Chancellor shall define the authority of administrative committees and officers of that campus, and all projects, programs, and institutional reports to be undertaken on behalf of that campus shall be subject to authorization and approval of the Chancellor.

The Chancellor shall be responsible to the President for enforcement of the policies and procedures, budgets, regulations, and decisions of the Board of Trustees concerning that campus. It shall be his or her duty to keep the President, and through the President, the Board of Trustees fully informed concerning the operations and needs of that campus. The Chancellor shall make an annual report to the President corresponding to the fiscal year of the University of Arkansas, which report shall also be provided to the Board of Trustees. The Chancellor shall further provide any other reports that may be required.

At the meeting of the Board a designated Chancellor or Director shall give a report on the state of the campus or unit. Further, each Chancellor and Director shall be prepared to report to the Board on the status of his or her campus at any meeting upon request of the President or any member of the Board.

The Chancellor shall make recommendations for the development of the educational programs of the campus and shall serve as the general advisor to the President, and through the President, the Board of Trustees with respect to all programs and activities of the campus. The Chancellor shall present to the President all matters concerning the campus which are to be considered by the Board of Trustees or any of its committees. The Chancellor shall be expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees when an agenda item for the campus is to be presented unless excused by the President.

Subject to the policies prescribed by the Board of Trustees and the President, the Chancellor shall make recommendations to the President with respect to the budget and the appointment of full-time academic personnel.

The Chancellor shall be the official medium of communication between the President and all deans, heads of departments and department chairs and all other administrative officers, faculty, staff, and students of the campus.

The Chancellor shall be a member of all faculties and other academic bodies of the campus and shall be a member of the campus governing body. [end of excerpt].