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Boston College. Office of the Provost and Dean of Faculties

 Organization

Dates

  • Usage: 2007 - present
  • Usage: 1979 - 2007
  • Usage: 1968 - 1979
  • Usage: 1958 - 1968

Historical Note

The Office of the Provost and Dean of Faculties serves as the chief academic office of Boston College. The provost is the senior academic administrator responsible for the leadership of the faculty and the administration of all academic programs, activities, and curricula across the University. The authority and duties of the office are codified in the Boston College Statutes. According to Article 4, Section 3::

"The Provost and Dean of Faculties, subject to the direction of the President, shall be responsible for the administration of all academic activities of the University and is charged with the academic leadership of the faculty. He shall, subject to the provisions specified in Chapter II, advise the President concerning the appointment and reappointment, promotion and tenure of faculty. He shall, after reviewing recommendations of Deans and/or Department Chairmen, make decisions regarding sabbatical leaves, University research grants, salaries and other contractual arrangements."

The office was established in the summer of 1958 when University President Michael P. Walsh, SJ, appointed William V.E. Casey, SJ, then dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to the newly created position of Academic Vice President. This role was designed to centralize executive responsibility for academic functions, including policies and programs pertaining to faculty, students, and curricula. At its inception, the deans of the various colleges, the director of the Summer Session, and the University Registrar reported directly to the Academic Vice President.

The nomenclature of the office has evolved to reflect the University’s growth. From 1958 to 1968, the position was designated as the Academic Vice President. In 1968, the title was changed to Senior Vice President and Dean of Faculties. Following the appointment of Joseph A. Panuska, SJ, in July 1979, the title shifted to Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculties. The current designation, Provost and Dean of Faculties, was adopted in 2007.

Reporting directly to the President, the provost oversees final recommendations regarding faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure, as well as final decisions regarding sabbatical leaves and other contractual arrangements. As the chief academic officer, the provost ensures that all academic initiatives align with the institution’s Jesuit, Catholic mission.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Boston College Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculties' Office records

 Collection
Identifier: BC-1999-065
Abstract The records of the Office of the Academic Vice President (also known as the Senior Vice President and Dean of Faculties and the Provost) document the administration of University academic and institutional activities from 1937-2007. Records include academic calendars, accreditation reports, admissions files, annual reports, budgets, committee files, correspondence, departmental records, faculty records, memos, minutes, speeches and addresses, and subject files, including biographical...
Access Note

Administrative files, committee records, correspondence, and departmental records prior to 1968 are open except files containing personally identifiable information, financial records, or student records. All budget files, faculty files, and records dating after 1968 are closed. Access with permission of office.

Dates: 1937 - 2007

Boston College Associate Academic Vice President's Office records

 Collection
Identifier: BC-1999-113
Abstract

The records of the Office of the Associate Academic Vice President document the office's involvement in committee activities between 1974-2005. Materials include agendas, committee reports, correspondence, handouts, meeting minutes and summaries, member lists, memos, notes, operations and procedures, reports, self-studies, and task force updates.

Access Note

Collection is closed. Access with permission of office.

Dates: 1974 - 2005

W. Seavey Joyce, SJ, President’s Office records

 Collection
Identifier: BC-2013-029
Abstract The W. Seavey Joyce, SJ, President’s Office records document Joyce’s tenure as twenty-third president of Boston College, 1968-1972. This collection consists largely of administrative records and contains building plans, committee records, correspondence, departmental records, development records, and faculty and subject files. Subject files contain personal materials, inaugural materials, and materials focusing on student and faculty relations with the administration. The collection also...
Access Note

Collection is closed. Access with permission of office. Departmental records and faculty files containing student records, faculty tenure and promotion files, and other records containing personally identifiable information are closed due to privacy restrictions.

Dates: 1944 - 1974; Majority of material found within 1968 - 1972

Boston College publications

 Collection
Identifier: BC-2001-047
Abstract

Publications and printed materials produced by Boston College administration and students.

Access Note

Collection is open for research. Digital content in this collection has been migrated from source media; digital use copies can only be accessed onsite in the Burns Library Reading Room.

Dates: 1925-2023