UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: College Establishment or Name Change

I. Executive Summary

This procedure provides the criteria and procedures necessary for creating a new academic college or renaming an existing academic college at UNC Charlotte. All naming activities in recognition of an individual or organization are subject to the requirements of University Policy 602.9, Naming Opportunities.

Establishment of an Academic College

A college is an academic unit of the university.  Each of the eight discipline-based colleges at UNC Charlotte represents an organization of related departments and/or schools. Proposals for the establishment of a new college must present at a minimum a justification and rationale, proposed organizational structure, and the benefits and anticipated outcomes of the proposed college. The Board of Trustees has the final authority to establish an academic college.

To request the consideration of a new college or to change of the name of a college, the Dean of the college initiates the following process:

  1. The Dean of the college sends a request for establishment or name change, including several suggested options for the new or revised name, along with a rationale and any other pertinent information to the Provost for consideration.
  2. The Provost consults with the Chancellor about the request.
  3. The Provost consults with the Faculty President and the Faculty Executive Committee (if confidential) or the Faculty Executive Committee and Faculty Council.
  4. Once the Provost has consulted with the applicable faculty group, the Provost will notify the Chancellor that the consultation is complete.
    • If the establishment or name change request involves naming in recognition of an individual or organization, the procedures outlined in University Policy 602.9, Naming Opportunities apply.
    • A request that involves naming for any elected public official or any official of the State, the UNC System, or of the University while they are currently serving in their official capacity requires approval by the Board of Trustees. In such a case, the Chancellor must place a request on the Board of Trustees agenda for consideration and approval in accordance with University Policy 602.9, Naming Opportunities.
  5. If the establishment or name change is approved, the Provost will notify the Dean of the outcome. The college initiates updates to campus systems, including:
    • Verifying changes to the upcoming undergraduate and graduate catalogs;
    • Applying updates to relevant websites;
    • Updating Banner:
      • Sending an email to the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support to initiate Banner request;
      • Sending an email to Budget Office initiating HR/FINANCE module changes;
      • Contacting the Office of the Registrar to verify appropriate changes have been made.
  6. The college’s Director of Communications will coordinate with University Communications and Academic Affairs to prepare an announcement to be made to campus, which will include the effective date of the name change.

III. Definitions

  • Academic Department – A unit within the college representing a discipline. For example, the Department of English is in the college of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS).
  • Chancellor – The chief executive officer of UNC Charlotte. 
  • College – An academic unit of the University. Each of the eight discipline-based colleges at UNC Charlotte represents an organization of related departments.
  • Dean – The highest authority within an academic division of study. An academic Dean heads each college.
  • Provost – Reporting to the Chancellor, the Provost is the chief academic officer who oversees all Academic Affairs activities, including research and faculty. The Deans of each college report to the Provost.

IV. Procedure Contact(s)

V. History

  • Revised: June 18, 2026 [Clarified several options for revised name and consultative role of Faculty Council]
  • Revised: September 8, 2021 [Clarified process for communicating changes and inclusion of Director of Communications role]
  • Revised: January 14, 2025 [Removed requirement for UNC System Office approval in alignment with UNC Board of Governors policy]
  • Revised: August 22, 2025 [Clarified Faculty Executive Committee as consultative body on behalf of the Faculty Council]

VI. Prior Versions

VII. Related Policies, Procedures, and Resources

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is this procedure referenced?
    The procedure is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website.
  • Do changes in the names of academic schools or colleges need to be approved by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors or the UNC System Office?
    No, it is no longer necessary to ask for approval from the Board of Governors or UNC System Office for collegiate name changes. This change was made in 2006. It is only necessary to seek approval from the Board of Governors for the creation of a new academic school/college.