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SIO Appointment to a Non-Department-Based Endowed Chair

Learn how a candidate is appointed to a non-department-based chair at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

All chairholders appointed January 1, 2015 and thereafter, are covered by the UC San Diego Guidelines for New Endowed Chairs (PDF).

Note: Appointees to an endowed chair are reserved for scholars whose performance criteria in their academic series is highly distinguished, meritorious, and in harmony with the stated terms, goals, and purpose of the endowed chair. Highly distinguished meritorious criteria includes teaching, research, and service for appointees in the professorial series.

1. VCMS or designee

Engages in a consultative process to identify the candidate(s) for the endowed chair.

Selects a committee that:

  • Consists of 5 members representing SIO
  • Consists only of members who are independent of the candidates (i.e., no collaborators or co-authors)

Provides the committee with the candidates’ Curriculum Vitae (CV) and the approved presidential item, which includes a description of the endowed chair.

2. Committee

Reviews the candidates' record of accomplishment in all performance criteria in the appointee’s series to ensure that it is:

  • Highly distinguished and meritorious
  • Harmonious with the stated terms, goals, and purpose of the endowed chair

Prepares a report recommending a nominee for the endowed chair

  • Sends the report to the VCMS or designee

3. VCMS or designee

  • Reviews the committee's report
  • Decides whether to endorse the nomination
  • Writes a letter indicating the decision
  • Sends the letter and the nomination packet to Academic Personnel Services Office (APS)

The nomination packet that is forwarded to the APS should contain:

  • Candidate's CV
  • Academic appointment file (if an outside candidate)
  • Committee report
  • VCMS or designee's recommendation letter

4. Academic Personnel Services (APS)

  • Prepares the nomination packet for submission to the Senate Committee on Academic Personnel (CAP)
  • Includes the nominee's most recent academic advancement file in the packet if the candidate is a UC San Diego faculty member
  • Ensures that the following items are included with the packet:
    • Approved presidential item
    • Approval from Educational Policy Committee (EPC) or Graduate Council
  • Forwards the packet to CAP

A complete nomination packet includes:

  • EPC or Graduate Council approval
  • Approved presidential item
  • Candidate's CV
  • Candidate's most recent academic review file (if a UC San Diego faculty member)
  • Candidate's academic appointment file (if an outside candidate)
  • Committee report
VCMS or designee's recommendation letter

5. Senate Committee on Academic Personnel (CAP)

  • Reviews the nomination packet and academic file
  • Decides whether to act as its own ad hoc or select an ad hoc committee from a campus-wide membership
  • Renders a recommendation to the EVCAA/Chancellor
Note: If an outside candidate is recommended, CAP renders two recommendations, one for the endowed chair and another for the appointment.

6. Final Approval Authority (EVCAA/Chancellor)

Final approval authority renders a final decision on the academic appointment.

  • If favorable, sends an offer letter to the candidate via APS with copies to all reviewers
  • If not favorable, sends a letter to the department chair via the VCMS or designee with copies to all reviewers
If an outside candidate is selected, the candidate must first accept the offer of academic appointment. The chair appointment process can begin only after the candidate accepts the faculty appointment.

7. APS

  • Sends the Chancellor's letter appointing the candidate to the chair
  • Sends copies of the chancellor's letter to:
    • EVCAA
    • VCMS or designee
    • Department Chair
    • SIO Development Office
    • Donor Stewardship Office
If the nomination to the chair is not approved, the EVCAA sends a letter to the VCMS or designee with copies to all reviewers.

8. VCMS or designee

  • Within two weeks of the chancellor's letter and in conjunction with the UC San Diego Foundation, sends a second letter to the candidate setting forth the details of the endowed chair with copies to:
    • APS
    • Department Chair
    • SIO Development Office

9. APS

  • Sends an e-mail communicating the candidate's response to:
    • EVCAA
    • VCMS or designee
    • Department Chair
For more information, contact Lynn Field-Karsh, (858) 822-4032.