Introduction 

Auburn University has a Chief Executive Officer, the University President, who has ultimate responsibility for the institution’s educational, administrative, and fiscal programs and services. The University President exercises this control in collaboration with, and support of, Auburn University Leadership, which is comprised of Vice Presidents, the Provost, senior administrators, and the Auburn University at Montgomery Chancellor. This collaboration and structure are both published on multiple Auburn University websites and organizational charts. 

Chief Executive Officer 

The administration of Auburn University, under the authority of the Board of Trustees, is unified in the Office of the President. As described in Auburn’s Board of Trustees Bylaws, 

The University President shall be the chief executive officer of the University and shall be responsible and accountable for the University’s educational, administrative and fiscal programs and services, intercollegiate athletics program and fund-raising activities, except those which by law or these Bylaws are made the responsibility of other persons, but in all cases subject to the authority and oversight of the Board of Trustees. 

Further, the University President is ultimately responsible for appointing all officers, officials, staff, faculty, and other employees of the University. Outlined in the Policies and Procedures of the Board of Trustees of Auburn University, the University President appoints and delegates responsibility and authority to the Auburn University Provost and to the Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Chancellor. Under the supervision of the University President, the AUM Chancellor is responsible for the overall administration and day-to-day management of AUM. In accordance with university policy, the University Presidenthas additional authority to make appointments for General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, college Deans, and non-academic employees that would be paid an annual compensation more than $250,000 under the contractual terms at Auburn University. As documented below, the University President meets weekly with Auburn University Leadership (which includes the AUM Chancellor) to stay updated and to give ultimate approval for any policy changes or additions.  

Auburn University Leadership 

As mentioned earlier, Auburn University Leadership collaborates with the University President in an advisory role to determine university policies. Auburn University Leadership includes the Provost, Associate Provosts, Vice Presidents, Athletics Director, General Counsel, Director of Public Affairs, Director of Governmental Affairs, and the Chancellor for AUM. This information is published on the Office of the President website and Auburn University’s organizational chart. Auburn University Leadership meets weekly to provide updates and guidance to the University President for each aspect of the university. Here are examples of meeting minutes and documents related to several meetings during the 2021-2022 academic year.  

Educational Programs and Services  

Auburn University’s President delegates responsibility and oversight of all educational programs and services to its chief academic officer, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Provost, the second highest ranking academic administrator after the President, oversees programs pertaining to all three aspects of the university’s mission – education, research, and outreach. Vice Presidents of Outreach and Research directly report to the Provost, as do Associate Provosts and academic Deans of Auburn’s 13 colleges and libraries. Further, the Provost also oversees additional supporting units such as Inclusion and Diversity and Strategic Initiatives and Communications. The Provost meets with the University President in Auburn University Leadership meetings as well as individually on a regular basis to ensure consistent oversight and communication regarding all educational programs and services. Attached are two examples of Provost oversight of educational programs – renaming of degree programs and redesignation of colleges and schools. 

Fiscal and Administrative Programs and Services  

Auburn University’s President delegates responsibility and oversight of all fiscal and administrative programs and services to its Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO and the Office for Business and Finance provide leadership and oversight of all financial and business matters in the areas of capital and operating budget management and analysis for the short and long-term viability of the institution using efficient and effective business practices, financial reports, forecasts, and debt and investment management information.  

The Office for Business and Finance is divided into three main areas: Financial Services/Controller, Human Resources, and Budget and Business Operations. Financial Services/Controller sub-units who report to the CFO include cash management; contracts and grants accounting; endowment investment; financial reporting—tax/property/surplus—; procurement and business services; and student financial services. Human Resources sub-units include campus relations, compensation, employment, human resource development, payroll, benefits and records, and student and temporary employment. The Budget and Business Operations sub-units include auxiliary enterprise supply, bookstore, budget and planning services, campus card operations, and information systems supply. Indirectly, the CFO also oversees facilities, the Office of Information Technology, and athletics financials. In accordance with Auburn University Board of Trustees Bylaws,  

the University President shall have the power, in the name of the University, to make and execute, or authorize the making and execution of, all contracts and written instruments made in the ordinary course of the operations of the University, except those which must be specifically approved and authorized by the Board of Trustees. 

The CFO meets with the University President in Auburn University Leadership meetings as well as individually on a regular basis to ensure consistent oversight and communication regarding all fiscal and administrative programs and services, Examples of CFO oversight of Auburn University’s fiscal services can be seen in the Auburn University Annual Budget and financial statements. 

Summary  

Auburn University’s President serves as Chief Executive Officer, and is responsible for the institution’s educational, administrative, and fiscal programs and services. Through collaboration and support with Auburn University Leadership, the University President exercises ultimate control and responsibility for the institution.