Appendix E – Process for Six-Year Review of Research Centers and Institutes

The Vice Provost for Research (VPR) is responsible for initiating and coordinating reviews of research centers and institutes, unless otherwise designated by the Provost. The VPR coordinates the review process with the relevant Deans, Vice-Chancellors and Provost and maintains the university review calendar. 

  • The VPR will provide each Dean with a copy of this document and a list of research centers and institutes under his/her supervision that are scheduled for a six-year review by June 1 of the preceding academic year.  
  • The VPR will discuss goals and expected outcomes of the six-year review process with each Dean (and, if applicable, the partner Deans for research centers/institutes with faculty members from multiple schools and colleges).  The Dean(s) will also be consulted on customization of instructions for the review committee. 
  • The VPR will inform the research center/institute Director of the six-year review, outlining the process and providing the framework for review (as detailed in Appendices C and D), including any modifications made in consultation with the Dean(s).  The Director will also be consulted on selection of the external reviewers. 
  • The Director will prepare the self-study, and send it to the Dean(s) and VPR. 
  • For each review, a review committee will be formed which will include one to two members with appropriate expertise from outside UWM and at least one faculty member from within UWM who do not have an affiliation with the research center/institute. The internal reviewer(s) will be selected by the Research Policy and Advisory Committee.  The VPR will invite the external committee member(s). 
  • The VPR will send a copy of the self-study and the reviewers’ instructions to the review committee and schedule an in-person or virtual site visit. 
  • The review committee will conduct the site visit, and then submit a report to the VPR, including a recommendation on continuance.  Recommendations can include: 
    • Continuance without Conditions. The research center/institute will continue current operations with no changes or actions. The next comprehensive review would be scheduled in six years unless another time period is recommended. 
    • Continuance with Recommended Changes or Actions.   The research center/institute will continue to operate under specific provisions (e.g., specified follow-up actions, abbreviated review period, reorganization, consultant visit, etc.). Procedures for change are listed in Appendix F. 
    • Extended Review: Provisional Status. Due to issues identified during the review process, the research center/institute will be the subject of an extended internal review involving additional senior administrators (e.g., Vice Provost for Research, supervising Dean(s), other academic leadership).   This process may result in multiple recommendations regarding continuance or discontinuance. 
    • Discontinuance. The research center/institute will be discontinued with a plan created for phasing out the structure and operations (see Appendices F and G). 
  • The VPR will share the report with the Provost, Dean, Director and (if applicable) partner Deans. The Dean and Director will each submit a written response. 
  • The VPR will circulate the report and responses to the Research Policy and Advisory Committee and allow for 30 days for the RPAC to review and comment. 
  • The VPR, Dean, and Director will meet to review the report, response, and associated comments. The Dean, in consultation with any relevant associate dean, will make recommendations based on the review. The Dean will forward the recommendations to the VPR and the Provost.  
  • If the Dean recommends renaming or discontinuing a research center or institute, the Provost will circulate the review and recommendations to the University Committee and the Academic Planning and Budget Committee and allow 30 days for review and comment before acting on the recommendation (SAAP 01-01). 
  • If the Dean recommends significant changes, including reorganizing a research center or institute, the Director will work with the advisory committees and Dean to revise the approved research center/institute authorization.  The revised version must be circulated to the APBC with a 30 day review and comment period.  The changes must be approved by the Provost and the Chancellor. Copies of the revised document must be sent to the Faculty Senate as an informational item (SAAP 01-06).  
  • The Provost will inform the Faculty Senate of the outcomes of all research center/institute reviews. 
  • The VPR will serve as the record keeper.
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