B. Administrative Offices

The Board of Trustees, a self-perpetuating body, has final responsibility for the conduct of the University. Article I of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees (2017), which describes the “Mission of the Board,” states that the Board “derives its basic authority from the Charter of the University which established the size of the Board and enumerated certain powers which the Board possessed. The essential responsibilities of the Board are to:

Determine the mission and establish strategic direction
Oversee financial resources and other assets
Select and evaluate the President
Ensure that institutional policies and processes are current and properly implemented

In furtherance of those responsibilities, the Board has the power to carry out any functions permitted by the Charter or these Bylaws except insofar as powers may be limited by law. These powers, which shall be exercised by the Board after recommendation by or input from the President, when appropriate, shall include but not be limited to the following:

To appoint or remove the President and the officers of the Board of Trustees and approve the appointment of the Provost of the University in accordance with these Bylaws;
To approve the awarding of degrees in course upon recommendation of appropriate officials of the University;
To authorize the awarding of honorary degrees in accordance with appropriate procedures and processes;
To approve the appointment, promotion, and awarding of tenure to members of the faculty;
To establish and review the basic educational programs and policies of the University;
To establish annually the budget of the University upon presentation by the President of the University and recommendation of the University Resources Committee of the Board;
To authorize the purchase or sale of land, buildings, or other major assets of the University;
To authorize construction and major renovation of buildings for the use of the University or demolition of same where appropriate;
To institute, promote, and support major fundraising efforts of the University;
To approve student charges for tuition, room, board, and special fees;
To authorize appropriate officials or agents of the University to accept gifts on behalf of the University; and
To authorize the incurring of debts by the University and the pledging of necessary security for those debts.

The Board elects its Chair and Vice Chair(s) from its membership. The Secretary and Treasurer, who need not be Trustees, are elected by the Board and attend all meetings. At least three regular meetings of the Board are held each year, including one in the spring and one in the fall on campus in Hamilton. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair of the Board, the Vice-Chair(s) of the Board, the President of the University, the Chair of each Standing Committee, and one Trustee to be nominated by the Chair in consultation with the Vice-Chair(s), the Nominating Committee, and the President of the University.

The Executive Committee shall, when the Board is not in session, possess and may exercise all of the powers of the Trustees, except as to matters excluded from delegation to a Committee by New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law. Any action of the Committee at any time shall be subject to review and alternation by the Board, provided that no rights of third parties shall be affected by such alternation. It shall make formal report of its actions to the Board at each regular meeting. The Chair of the Board shall be Chair of the Executive Committee. Meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Board whenever requested to do so by the Chair of the Committee. The date, time and place of the meeting shall be determined by the Chair of the Committee and shall be stated in the notice.

Questions concerning the Board of Trustees should be directed to the Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

The President of the University is appointed by the Board of Trustees and is responsible to it for the conduct and well-being of the University. The President presides at Faculty meetings and at meetings of the senior administrative staff, and has final responsibility for the preparation and administration of the annual budget of the University. Article VIII of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees (2017) defines the President’s responsibilities as follows:

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the University, and as such, the head of all educational departments of the University and shall have the general oversight and direction of the University operations. The President shall be the official medium of communication between the Faculty and the Board of Trustees and between the students and the Board of Trustees. The President shall recommend to the Board all promotions and appointments of the Faculty. The President shall take part in the instruction of the classes as the Trustees shall direct, or, in the absence of such direction, as the President may think proper. The President shall sign all diplomas and confer all degrees. The President shall be responsible for the discipline of the University and for carrying out all measures officially agreed upon by the Faculty concerning matters committed to the Faculty by the Board, and for executing such measures concerning the internal administration of the University as the Board of Trustees may direct. The President may specifically delegate such responsibility, as a matter of routine procedure, to other officers of the administration or agencies created for the purpose, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, but shall be accountable therefore. The President may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of Trustees in order to fill vacancies where approval of the Board is necessary for permanent appointment.

The President shall make reports to the Board of Trustees at each regular meeting of the Board, of the work and conditions of the University, and shall present for the consideration of the Board such measures as are deemed necessary or expedient for the welfare of the University.

In case of the vacancy in the Office of the President of the University or of the absence of the President or of the President’s inability to serve, the Board may appoint an acting or interim President of the University.

The positions of Provost and Dean of the Faculty are held by a single individual who is the second ranking officer of the University. When the President is away from the campus, the Provost will assume the presidential duties, and all administrative officers who normally report directly to the President, will report to the Provost.

The Dean of the Faculty is the chief academic officer of the college and has primary responsibility for faculty personnel, curriculum, and supervision of instructional budgets. The Dean of the Faculty chairs the Academic Affairs Board and, in the absence of the President, presides at Faculty meetings.

The Vice President and Dean of the College has primary responsibility for most matters affecting students outside of the classroom. The Dean supervises the activities and programs of the following offices: Administrative Advising, the ALANA Cultural Center, Campus Safety, Career Initiatives, Center for Leadership and Student Involvement, the Chaplain’s Office, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Dean of Students, Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, First@Colgate, First and Second Year Experience, Fraternity and Sorority Advising, Haven, International Student Services, LGBTQ+ Initiatives, Max Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education, Residential Life and Commons, Shaw Wellness Center, Student Conduct, Student Health Services and Student Involvement. The Dean also oversees the functions of the administrative deans who provide information to students about University policies and procedures, administer academic rules and regulations (such as those governing academic standing), and are the principal point of contact for students in dealing with the University administration.

The Vice President for Equity and Inclusion is responsible for ensuring that an inclusive vision is integrated into overall institutional planning, bringing visibility and organizational focus to campuswide DEI efforts. The Vice President oversees the Office of Equity and Diversity, strategic planning of the University’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, including its hiring practices, Title IX cases, ADA concerns, affirmative action/equal opportunity, and oversight of the University’s nondiscrimination and anti-harassment processes.

The Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid has responsibility for the admission of first-year students, transfer and visiting/special students. Admission decisions are made by the Vice President, Dean of Admission, and a staff of Associate and Assistant Deans and Admission Counselors. The Dean works in cooperation with the Director of Financial Aid in awarding need-based financial aid and other forms of financial assistance to entering students. The faculty/student Committee on Admission and Financial Aid meets with the Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid throughout the year to advise on issues facing the Colgate Office of Admission.

The Vice President and Director of Athletics serves on the President’s cabinet, providing input on University-wide matters, and is directly responsible for the strategic, executive, and operational leadership of the Division of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics. The Division includes offices and positions dedicated to athletic coaching and physical development and performance, student-athlete personal and career development, NCAA Compliance, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, equipment, athletics business operations, marketing and event management, sponsorships, facilities management, team travel and operations, physical education, recreation, club sports, intramural sports, and outdoor education. The division also nurtures close partnerships with the Center for Teaching, Learning and Research to provide student-athlete academic support; the Office of University Communications to deliver athletics communications and multimedia services; and the Office of University Advancement to support fundraising and enhance donor and prospective donor cultivation and stewardship. The VP/AD represents the interests of the university at the league and national levels of athletics governance, and fosters a culture of collaboration, compliance and excellence throughout the division promoting a commitment to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusiveness - including compliance with Title IX as well as NCAA and Athletic League rules.

The Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Investment Officer is responsible for the financial and business operations of the university. The Division of Finance and Administration includes budgeting and financial planning, investment management, capital project finance, accounting and control, risk management, environmental health and safety, financial aid, community affairs, physical plant, construction and renovation of facilities, purchasing, document and mail services, bookstore, dining, and other miscellaneous auxiliary service enterprises, such as faculty housing, campus weddings, the Colgate Cemetery and Colgate Camp. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration are the Associate Vice President for Finance and Assistant Treasurer, Associate Vice President for Community Affairs and Auxiliary Operations, Associate Vice President for Budget and Financial Aid, Associate Vice President for Facilities, Director of Investments, Associate Vice President and Controller.

The Vice President for Advancement has overall administrative responsibility for the offices overseeing individual philanthropy and all facets of alumni relations. The Advancement Office is charged with planning and executing comprehensive, multiyear campaigns and is responsible for organizing a wide variety of initiatives that identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward the support of the college’s alumni, parents, and friends. The Office of Alumni Relations is the liaison to Colgate’s over 37,000 alumni and coordinates annual events through alumni clubs, maintains a web-based alumni community, provides career networking opportunities, organizes annual alumni reunions, and sponsors alumni travel and merchandise programs.

The Vice President for University Communications and Events is responsible for strategic and integrated communications and institutional events that advance and steward Colgate’s reputation, attract prospective students, garner support for and engagement with the University, and help parents support their students in productive ways. Among other responsibilities, the office manages print, web, and digital media marketing; visual identity and licensing; the public website (colgate.edu and thirdcentury.colgate.edu); Colgate’s digital channels; internal communications; media relations; parent relations; major University events such as Family Weekend, Commencement, and Reunion; and external filming requests. The office also publishes the quarterly Colgate Magazine; the Hello, Hamilton community newsletter; and 13, Colgate’s official podcast.

The Vice President for Administration oversees the Office of Institutional Analysis, the Office of Human Resources, legal affairs, risk management, and University insurance coverage. Reporting to the Vice President are the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, the Associate Provost for Institutional Analysis, and the Assistant Vice President for Risk and Strategic Analysis. The Office of Institutional Analysis, reporting up through the provost/dean of the faculty as well as the vice president for administration provides University leaders with the information needed for strategic planning, and endeavors to compile regularly updated snapshots of trends in higher education in support of Colgate’s mission. The Office of Human Resources supports efforts across campus to recruit and retain excellent employees, administers the University’s benefit programs, and supports professional development for all employees. The office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management works to ensure that the University complies with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as its own policies, and advises senior leadership on the management of the risks required by Colgate’s residential liberal arts model.

The Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Board of Trustees provides executive support and counsel to the President on University-wide and institutional strategic planning, and serves as Secretary to the Board of Trustees and is elected by the Board for this officer position and is responsibile for recording and certifying its actions. The Secretary provides the Board with such services and support as may be necessary for its effective functioning.

A listing of Administrative Offices is found in Chapter XI, Organization of the University, in the Colgate University Catalogue.