Not long ago, the weather forecast for the coming two days of summer was incredible. The campus had been working incredibly hard and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to give everyone a day off. A president can do that, right? I asked about giving everyone a day off just because they deserved it.

Well, I learned that unless there was a catastrophe, snow or some other major incident I could not do so. Then the other questions started coming: What about those who still have to work that day, when do they get the day off? If they do not take it will it be added to their vacation time? Does this count as an administrative day? How do we pay for it in accounting? The collective bargaining agreement may not allow for it. There were dozens of logistical questions. All I wanted to do was reward my staff with a day off.

Welcome to the world of running a complex organization called a university.

One of the many things I learned as a business major in college was that businesses are microorganisms that are dependent on many factors both inside and outside of the organization. That is also very true of university campuses.

Many times individuals want to hear directly from the “president” or leader of the organization. This is understandable because, for many, the perception is that the president knows the answer or is the final decision-maker. Oftentimes, this is very true. What often may not be well understood is that the details and information used in making that decision came from many others within the organization.

Public higher education is a public good. The structures, funding, accreditation, and authority are defined through Congress and state government. In California, the governor, like a CEO, has authority and that authority is given by the people of the state. The Senate and Assembly help support this authority and provide finality to many decisions.

In higher education, the governor appoints individuals to serve as trustees. The California State University Board of Trustees oversees and provides delegated authority to the chancellor. The chancellor oversees and provides delegated authority to the 23 individual campus presidents, who in turn oversee and provide delegated authority to the vice presidents.

On many campuses throughout the United States, campuses have a fairly common structure. In simple terms, there are divisions, like a major business, centered on particular functions. On a campus, we are generally structured around students, faculty, alumni, and fiscal. At Cal Poly Humboldt, the people who have direct reporting lines to the president are those vice presidents or executive directors for a major administrative unit: academic affairs, enrollment and student affairs, finance and administration, university advancement, and athletics.

If something involves students outside the classroom, it most often involves the vice president for enrollment (student affairs) and his staff. This may include the dean of students, housing, student activities, Center Arts, the Student Activities Center, dining, student conduct, basic needs, health, counseling, disability services, bookstore, student government, financial aid, admissions, and other related areas.

When something typically involves the curriculum, faculty, student advising, accreditation, or technology in the classroom it often involves the vice president for academic affairs and her staff. That staff includes academic deans (senior administrators) for the three colleges: Professional Studies; Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; and Natural Resources and Sciences. It also includes the library, about 20 centers and institutes, existing and new academic programs, and roughly two-thirds of the university’s operations and personnel.

An area that impacts nearly every function within the university are those under the vice president for administration and finance. This area includes human resources, police, parking, accounting, facilities, grounds, planning, and other related areas.

One of the areas many in the community may be most familiar with would be those areas under the vice president for university advancement. Within this area are functions that involve alumni and donors, the University Foundation, special initiatives, marketing, communications, and fundraising.

Lastly, an area that often brings people together is athletics. Intercollegiate sports, recreational activities, and club sports fall within the purview of the executive director. The intercollegiate sports, which also include coaches and significant travel, are men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, cross country, and track and field; and women’s softball, volleyball, and rowing. Our newest intercollegiate sport, women’s triathlon, begins this fall 2022.

There are also many formal and informal advisory groups made up of alumni, donors, community members, and others. They provide important perspectives and leadership. In addition, there are a number of different labor unions for many different categories of employees, and they influence processes as well.

When there is a complaint or problem, what often occurs is that it is routed to the respective vice president or other senior leader to resolve. This is important, given that the campus is very complex.

There are more than 1,200 people who work at Cal Poly Humboldt, making it somewhat like a small town. Nearly all of them know details about their particular area as well as many general aspects within the university. Most know details about our polytechnic efforts, because hundreds of people have been a part of the many committees and work groups that led to the name change and designation.

What many in the community as well as on campus may not know is that there are over 130 different committees that guide decisions and processes within the campus. Nearly all of them do not involve the president. Why? Delegated authority from the president to the vice presidents, University Senate, and other groups on the campus ensure wide involvement by many people (shared governance). When it is working there is ingenuity, creative ideas, and strong engagement across the campus – just like we are currently enjoying.

This is your Cal Poly Humboldt. This is the structure of the organization. Be well.

Dr. Tom Jackson is the president of Cal Poly Humboldt.