6,516: Unit Name Changes for Research or Outreach Units

Last Revised: January 2005

Research or outreach units interested in changing their name should consult the appropriate administrator(s) regarding feasibility. (See section 6,060 for name changes for academic units.) The proposer(s) should forward a preliminary proposal IN BOTH HARD COPY AND ELECTRONIC FORMAT to the Provost's Office for consideration by the New Program Pre-Proposal Committee. This preliminary proposal can be in any format but ideally should address the following:

  1. Proposed name change.
  2. Brief description.
  3. Demonstrated need.
  4. Impact of the name change on other departments, colleges, university, and system.
  5. Review of and impact upon directly related programs within the University.

This proposal needs to include signatures of appropriate department and college administrators and approval memos from other units impacted by the name change. 

Upon review and recommendation by the New Program Pre-Proposal Committee, the proposing unit will receive a memorandum from the Provost's office outlining how it should proceed.

Once the proposed name change is approved at the department, college, and Provost Office levels, it should be forwarded by the dean to the Provost's Office. 

The Provost's Office may seek review and recommendations from the Faculty Senate, Graduate Council, and other appropriate administrative units, and will make a recommendation to the President.  After receiving final recommendations, the president will determine if the final proposal will be forwarded by the Provost's office to the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, who will determine if the change warrants NSHE Board of Regents' review.

Upon the determination that all necessary approvals have been obtained, the Provost's Office will send a confirming memo to the department or unit, with copies to the following: the appropriate College Dean, Admissions & Records, Planning, Budget & Analysis, Admissions and Records, the Graduate School (if applicable), the Vice Provost, University Assessment, and the President's Office.