The Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs provides leadership in the development, enhancement, and review of academic policies and programs in conjunction with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, deans, and faculty.  The Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs also ensures compliance with SACSCOC principles related to academic affairs issues and substantive change policies and oversees the accreditation process for the University (SACSCOC), colleges, departments, and programs in cooperation with the SACSCOC Liaison. The Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs also oversees the maintenance off the University Policy and Procedure Manual for Academic Affairs issues and communicates regularly with Faculty Senate to address recommendations and oversees the Academic Calendar with the Director of Records and Registration and any changes to university courses and curriculum. The Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs oversees various university directors, namely the Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Director of Distance Education, the Director of Ellender Memorial Library, the Director of Records and Registration,  and the Director of Athletic Academic Services.

1.9.1  Offices Reporting Directly to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

1.9.1.1  Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence

The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) Director serves as the champion for advancing inclusive teaching, learning, and the use of technology through the promotion and enhancement of inclusive andragogy/pedagogy, quality course design across all delivery modes, the use of technology, and innovative teaching/learning strategies. The Director is assisted in their duties by an advisory council from all disciplines across campus, as well as a faculty fellow chosen each year through a competitive application process. The Director for CTE is assigned a reduced teaching load and receives a salary stipend commensurate with the level of assigned duties.

1.9.1.2  Director of Distance Education

The Director is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships within the campus community to advance the interests of Distance Education faculty and students including enhanced distance education student engagement and distance-friendly access to student services.  

1.9.1.3  Director of University Library

The Director is the principal administrator of library operations and activities, including the Center for Instructional Media. 

1.9.1.4  University Registrar and Director of Records and Registration

The responsibility of this office is to assure the accuracy and integrity of student academic records.  The office operates registration services, drop/add, resignations, class rosters, transcript production, and enrollment verification.  

1.9.1.5  Director of Athletic Academic Services

The Director of Athletic Academic Services works with student-athletes, coaches, academic advisors, faculty and staff to ensure that student-athletes are meeting university and NCAA academic requirements on the path to graduation.

1.9.2  Groups Reporting Directly to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

1.9.2.1 Commencement Committee

Purpose: The Commencement Committee reports to the Office of Academic Affairs through the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and is responsible for assisting in the coordination and execution of the commencement ceremony each semester (Fall/Spring), and making recommendations related to commencement.

Reports to: Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Membership: The committee is composed of representatives from each academic unit and the library in a number sufficient to complete the work of the committee. Once appointed to the committee, membership is ongoing until such time that the member separates from the university or requests to be removed. New members are nominated by the college deans, or Library Director and approved by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Duties:

• Assistance to the Office of Academic Affairs with ceremony planning.
• Organization and coordination of the graduates prior to the ceremony to include ordered seating, provision of honor cords, survey data gathering, regalia appropriateness checks, delivery of ceremony instructions.
• Arrangement and direction of the graduate processional and seating in the venue.
• Arrangement and direction of the graduate walk to receive degrees.
• Management of the recessional post-ceremony.

1.9.2.2  Honors Committee (See Section 1.16.2.7)

1.9.2.3  Distance Learning Committee (See Section 1.16.3.11)

Changes to Section of Manual