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Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

The Vice-President (Academic) is the senior Vice-President in the University and, as such, acts for the President whenever so delegated. Until the establishment of the office in 1955, a senior dean was appointed to this duty on an ad hoc basis.

In 1943, an Assistant to the President was appointed to share some of the administrative load placed on this office. When Dr Walter Hugh Johns was named to the office of Vice-President in 1955, he continued in his position as Dean of Arts and Science until 1957, when he assumed the office full-time. In 1963, the title was changed to Vice-President (Academic).

Some of the responsibilities of this office are assigned by the Board of Governors upon recommendation of the President while others are assigned by General Faculties Council. The Vice-President (Academic) has responsibility for the appointment, the terms of appointment, and the termination of appointment of the faculty members of the University. The records of the office show that the Vice-President has taken administrative responsibility for the following areas since 1955:

• teaching faculties and schools
• Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
• budget for academic departments
• academic policy, planning, and program proposals
• staff and student affairs

The Vice-President (Academic) is Chair or member of the major standing committees of the University, including the Board of Governors, the Senate, and the General Faculties Council. There are also numerous national and provincial bodies concerned with education in which the Vice-President (Academic) participates.

In 1998, the title of Provost was added to the position of Vice-President (Academic). In July 2001, the formal title was changed to Provost and Vice-President (Academic), reflecting the new emphasis on the role the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) played in operational coordination. As Provost, the Vice-President (Academic) takes on a role that in some American universities is described as "executive vice-president". The University of Alberta's own Board and President have, on occasion, used the term "chief operating officer". Whatever the term, the Provost assumes significant responsibility for the internal management and governance of the institution.

The Provost is the senior Vice-President and collaborates with the President in making policy on administrative and academic matters that affect the University as a whole. As chief academic officer, the Provost leads the team of vice-presidents to ensure that portfolios and goals are aligned toward achievement of the University's vision. Academic leadership and overall institutional planning are the Provost's responsibility. The Provost liaises with government and industry regarding academic programs and their funding, and coordinates the University's international relations. In the absence of the President, the Provost is acting President.

The Provost also has special responsibility for student issues. Strengthening the links to students, enhancing the well-being of students, and ensuring that student issues have a high profile in planning and decision making are substantive parts of this role.

To read more about the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), please visit their website.