Policy 2-003: The President of the University

I. Purpose and Scope

II. Definitions

III. Policy

A. Appointment

B. General Responsibilities and Authority 

C. Responsibilities Related to Employees 

D. Responsibilities Related to Policies for Administration and Operation of the University

E. Responsibilities Related to Budget and Finance

IV. Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms, and other Related Resources

V.References

VI. Contacts

VII. History

 

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1. ‌Purpose and Scope‌

   1. Purpose.

      This policy communicates the responsibilities, duties, and authority of the university president established by Utah law (see Utah Code Section 53H-3-303).

   2. Scope.

      The scope of this policy is limited to the position of president of the University of Utah.

2. ‌Definitions‌

   [reserved]

3. ‌Policy‌

   1. ‌Appointment‌

      1. The University of Utah president is appointed by the Utah Board of Higher Education (Board) in accordance with Utah Code Section 53H-3-302. The president serves at the pleasure of the Board.

   2. ‌General Responsibilities and Authority‌

      1. The president must manage the university as part of the Utah System of Higher Education.

      2. The president, with the assistance of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the education, safety, and welfare, for the good of education in the state and the university, of all persons admitted and enrolled, employed, or otherwise entering university premises, under such rules and regulations as the university shall establish.

      3. The president may exercise grants of power and authority as the Board delegates, as well as the necessary and proper exercise of powers and authority not denied to the institution or the institution’s administration, faculty, or students by the Board or by law, to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the institution consistent with the statewide strategic plan for higher education.

      4. The president must establish the organization and structure of the university, including by, as determined by the president, creating, merging, or

         eliminating a college, department, or other administrative or academic unit of the institution.

      5. The president may, at the president’s sole discretion, seek input from faculty, staff, or students in fulfilling the responsibilities described in this policy.

   3. ‌Responsibilities Related to Employees‌

      1. The president may appoint or employ administrative officers, deans, faculty members, professional personnel, and support personnel, prescribe duties for these roles, and determine a salary for employees in accordance with university regulations.

      2. The president may, after consultation with the Board of Trustees, exercise powers related to the institution’s employees, including faculty and persons under contract with the institution, by implementing:

         1. policies governing personnel;

         2. furloughs;

         3. reductions in force;

         4. program reductions or discontinuance;

         5. early retirement incentives that provide cost savings to the university; or

         6. other measures that provide cost savings, facilitate efficiencies, or otherwise enable the university to meet the university’s mission and role.

      3. The president must follow university regulations, when applicable, that address the powers related to employees.

   4. ‌Responsibilities Related to Policies for Administration and Operation of the University‌

      1. The president may enact university regulations for the administration and operation of the university that are consistent with the university’s role established by the Board, rules that the Board enacts, and the laws of the state. These policies may provide for:

         1. committees with jurisdiction over specified university matters, which may include faculty, staff, students, and/or administrators;

         2. student government and student affairs organizations;

         3. the establishment of institutional standards in furtherance of the ideals of higher education to which the university’s administration, faculty, and students subscribe and foster; and

         4. the holding of classes on legal holidays other than Sunday.

      2. Subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, the president:

         1. must establish a prescribed system of tenure; and

         2. must provide for the constitution, government, and organization of the faculty and administration of the university, including ensuring that the faculty may only have jurisdiction over academic requirements for admission, degrees, and certificates; and course curriculum and instruction, unless the president, the Board of Trustees, the Board, or the Legislature expressly authorizes or delegates jurisdiction over another matter.

   5. ‌Responsibilities Related to Budget and Finance‌

      1. A president must control and manage the budget and finances of the university, including by establishing the institution’s budget and establishing or adjusting administrative or academic unit budgets.

      2. A president must establish tuition, fee, and other charges, subject to the approval of the Board as required by state law.

      3. Subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, the president must establish a budgetary policy, such as a policy regarding benefits and endowment investments.

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         Sections IV- VII are for user information and are not subject to the approval of the Academic Senate or the Board of Trustees. The Institutional Policy Committee, the Policy Owner, or the Policy Officer may update these sections at any time.

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4. ‌Policies/ Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms, and other Related Resources‌

   1. Policies/ Rules. [ reserved ]

   2. Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms. [ reserved ]

   3. Other Related Resources. [ reserved ]

5. ‌References‌

   1. Utah Code Section 53H-3-302

   2. Utah Code Section 53H-3-303

   3. Policy 2-002: Board of Trustees

6. ‌Contacts‌

   The designated contact officials for this regulation are:

   1. Policy Owner(s) (primary contact person for questions and advice): President’s Chief of Staff

   2. Policy Officer(s): President of the University

      See Rule 1-001 for information about the roles and authority of policy owners and policy officers.

7. ‌History‌

   Revision History.

   1. Current version. Revision 2.

      1. Approved by the Board of Trustees on January 13, 2026, with effective date of January 13, 2026.

      2. Legislative History for Revision 2.

   2. Previous versions.

      1. Revision 1. Effective February 8, 2022.

      2. Revision 0. Effective November 1, 1972

   3. Renumbering

      1. Renumbered from Policies and Procedures Manual 7-7.