What is a Provost?

pro-vost n [ME, fr. OE profost & OF provost , fr ML propositus , alter. of praepositus , fr L, one in charge, director, fr. pp. of praeponere to place at the head] 1: the chief dignitary of a collegiate or cathedral chapter 2: the chief magistrate of a Scottish burgh 3: the keeper of a prison 4: a high-ranking university administrative officer

The Provost is the chief academic officer of the University and has responsibility for the University's academic and budgetary affairs. The Provost collaborates with the President in setting overall academic priorities for the University and allocates funds to carry these priorities forward.

The following individuals report to the Provost: the Deans of the nineteen schools and colleges and the University Librarian and Dean of Libraries. Other direct reports include the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Vice Provosts for Academic and Faculty Affairs, the Vice Provost for Academic and Budgetary Affairs, the Vice Provost for Academic Information, the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Director of the International Institute, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs - Graduate Studies and Dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, the Director of the Institute for Social Research, the Director of the Life Sciences Institute (who also reports to the President of the University), the Director of the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, and the Director of the Museum of Art.

Given the broad scope of Academic Affairs, numerous offices and entities are under the umbrella of the Provost's Office. These include, for example, the University Library and special libraries (such as the William L. Clements Library and the Bentley Historical Library), the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, the Museum of Art, the University Mentorship Program, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Budget Administration, Budget and Planning, the Center for the Education of Women, and the Officer Education Programs.