Institutes and Centers Overview

Institutes and centers are university entities established to coordinate intra- and interinstitutional research, service, and/or educational/training activities that supplement and extend existing instruction, research, and service at the universities. In some cases, institutes and centers are established to provide the infrastructure needed to coordinate support activities across the State University System (e.g., Florida Center for Library Automation, University Press).

Types

Institutes and Centers are classified as either (1) State of Florida institutes or centers or (2) university institutes or centers.

State of Florida Institutes and Centers

Characteristics of a State of Florida Institute or Center:

  • Has a statewide mission.
  • Includes two or more State universities.
  • Must be approved by the Florida Board of Governors.
  • Has a Memorandum of Understanding among the presidents or their designees from all participating universities and the Chancellor or designee that specifies the host institution and outlines operational procedures for the institute or center.
  • Has an advisory board with membership as designated in the Memorandum of Understanding.
  • Has a separate unit account in the host university’s operating budget.
  • May spend State funds appropriated to the institute or center according to Legislative and/or university decisions.
  • May spend “other” funds (e.g., fees; contracts and grants–including private, federal, and State contracts and grants not appropriated through the Educational and General budget entity).

University Institutes and Centers

Characteristics of a University Institute or Center:

  • Generally is established by a single university; in some instances, additional institutions may participate, in which case one institution is designated as the host university.
  • May expend State funds appropriated to the institute or center according to Legislative and/or university decisions.
  • May expend “other” funds (e.g., fees; contracts and grants–including private, federal, and State contracts and grants not appropriated through the Educational and General budget entity).

Annual Reporting Requirements for All Institutes and Centers

No later than September 30 of each year, each provost or his or her designee shall review the inventory of authorized institutes and centers to determine the accuracy of information that is maintained by the Division of Colleges and Universities. Additionally, a report of actual and estimated expenditure and position data, as well as evaluation/review information, shall be submitted for all institutes and centers that are approved for all or part of a given fiscal year (July 1-June 30):

  • Total funds expended during the previous fiscal year (July 1-June 30) by funding source (State Appropriation to the State University System, Contracts and Grants, Fees for Services, and Private & Other Funds) and by entity (Education and General, IFAS, Health Sciences Center).
  • Total positions during the previous fiscal year (July 1-June 30) by funding source and type of position.
  • The date of the last evaluation/review.