Benjamin Lee, the Provost, reports to the President and the Board of Trustees in his capacity as the chief academic officer of the University. All the University's academic dimensions fall under Dr. Lee's purview as well as that of his staff, which includes Vice Provost Elizabeth Ross and Associate Provost Ron Kassimir. The responsibilities of the Office of the Provost fall into four broad categories: oversight of tenure cases; faculty appointments and renewals; State certification and accreditation review; and final judge of all academic grievances. Additionally, the Provost spearheads new academic initiatives and shapes the university academic curriculum.

Dr. Ross manages the University Libraries; the Office of Institutional Research; ensures that all programs operate with proper accreditation and certification from the New York State Board of Education and from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; supervises the University Art Collection and the University Curators. She also reviews all student complaints concerning academic matters.

Dr. Kassimir has been Associate Provost for Curriculum and Research since June 2007. Prior to that he spent 2 years as Associate Dean at The New School for Social Research and 10 years as a Program Director at the Social Science Research Council. Ron’s principal areas of responsibility include supporting new curricular initiatives and university-wide programs, international academic programs, and research and project development for faculty and students. He is also an Associate Professor of Political Science at NSSR.

Beyond the responsibilities and offices previously mentioned, the Deans of the University report to the Provost regularly to coordinate and plan improvements in curricula and future academic growth.