UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: College Name Change

I. Executive Summary

This procedure provides the criteria and procedures necessary for renaming an existing academic college at UNC Charlotte.

II. Procedure Statement

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

  1. Dean of college sends request of name change including rationale and any pertinent information to the Provost
  2. The Provost writes the Faculty President requesting a consultation with the Faculty Executive Committee and Faculty Council
  3. Faculty Executive Committee and Faculty Council vote on proposed name change
  4. The Provost writes the Chancellor indicating that the consultation is complete and that the University needs to inform the UNC System Office (Office of the President). The Provost includes a draft of a letter, for the Chancellor’s signature, to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
  5. The Chancellor sends the letter to the UNC System Office
  6. Upon receipt of approval by the UNC System Office, the Provost will notify the Dean of the outcome.
  7. College initiates updates to campus systems, including:
  • Verify changes to the upcoming Catalog edition
  • Applying updates to relevant websites
  • Updating Banner:
    i. Sending an email to the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support to initiate Banner request
    ii. Sending an email to Budget Office initiating HR/FINANCE module changes
    iiI. Contacting the Office of the Registrar to verify appropriate changes have been made
  1. The college communicator will coordinate with 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 representating a discipline. For example, the Department of English is in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
  • Chancellor – The chief executive officer of UNC Charlotte. At some universities, this position is referred to as president.
  • College – An academic unit of the University. Each of the seven 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: September 8, 2021 [Clarified process for communicating changes and inclusion of Director of Communications role]

VI. Related Policies, Procedures, and Resources

VII. 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?
    No, it is no longer necessary to ask for approval from the Board of Governors 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.