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Campus Administrative Policies

CHAPTER 400 Office of the President



400 UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT AND OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

The president of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is appointed by the Board of Trustees of the California State University (CSU) and reports to the chancellor of the CSU. The university president, as the highest public official for Cal Poly, works under the direction of the chancellor and the trustees of the CSU in accordance with applicable state statutes and federal law.

As chief executive and academic officer, the president sets the strategic direction and is ultimately responsible for the state of the university.

The Office of the President is established to provide the administrative and management resources to support the university president in their role as the chief executive. The president is also supported by their selected cabinet members, as listed on the university website.

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401 The role of the President and designation authority

The board of trustees of the California State University and/or the chancellor have been granted permission to delegate specific authority and responsibility as appropriate to university presidents. Each president may grant sub-delegate authority consistent with CSU policies. Current sub-delegations are available in the delegations of authority portal.

Responsibilities of the president include, but are not limited to:

  • The president represents the university’s interests within the CSU system; with local, state and national officials; with the state and higher education community; and is expected to symbolize the best qualities of the institution. Working in harmony with external and internal constituencies, the president provides overall leadership and guidance for the university.
  • The president is the leading spokesperson for the institution with external and internal constituencies.
  • The president leads the institution by managing the human and financial resources to fulfill the university’s stated mission.
  • The president nurtures and expands the academic reputation of the university and orchestrates the charting of the future of the campuses.
  • In addition to oversight of the state funded academic and support programs of the university, the President has the authority and responsibility for the fiscal integrity and overall operations of university auxiliary organizations. This authority in the president is vested through CSU regulations and delegations from the CSU trustees and the chancellor in accordance with state statutes.
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References for CAP 400

  1. Date approved by the President: [insert date changes approved]
  2. Effective Date: [insert date changes approved]
  3. Responsible Department/Office: Office of the President
  4. Revision History: Use when applicable
  5. Related University Policies, Procedures, Manuals and/or Documents:
    1. Statement of General Principles in the Delegation of Authority and Responsibility, 8/4/1961, CSU Board of Trustees, Resolution and Standing Orders
    2. California State University - Presidents
    3. President’s Cabinet
    4. Delegations of Authority portal (login required)
  6. Laws, Regulations and/or Codes of practice referred to herein or related to this policy:
    1. California Education Code Section 89035 et seq.
    2. Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 42402