The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs was established in 1956, performing some of the duties of the former Administrative Assistant in Charge of Academic Affairs. Since its creation, the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has gone by two previous name variations: Vice President for Academic Affairs (1956-1959) and Provost (1959-1977).

These records reflect the work of the office's predecessor unit, the Administrative Assistant in Charge of Academic Affairs. W.H. Combs held this position from 1947-1955. In 1956, Thomas H. Hamilton became the first and only individual to serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1959, "Hamilton was replaced by Paul A. Miller, who went by the title of Provost (1959-1962). Miller was followed by Clifford E. Erickson (1962-1964), who was followed by Howard R. Neville (1964¬1969). John E. Cantlon assumed the position after Neville and served as Provost (1969-1976) until Lawrence W. Boger who was Provost during the 1976-1977 academic year. In 1977 Clarence L. Winder became the first person titled Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1986 he was followed by David K. Scott who held the position until 1993. In 1993 Lou Anna Kimsey Simon served as interim before assuming the position permanently in 1994.

As the principal academic officer of the University, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs are responsible to the President and the Board of Trustees. This post holds administrative responsibilities for the colleges, academic programs, and all academic units.

The Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs are responsible for the administration and leadership of the academic programs of the University. It is the duty of this office to assemble and administrate the academic budget. The Provost administers all academic personnel procedures, including appointments, promotions, terminations, salaries, tenure and working conditions. Furthermore, this office ensures that its administrative procedures preserve academic freedom while promoting academic responsibility.

In addition, the Provost and Vice President for Affairs supervises the policies and procedures regarding admissions and registration. This office is responsible for the administration of academic facilities and support services, which includes computer facilities and University libraries. The Provost acts as representative of the University to the public on state, national and international levels. Furthermore, it is the duty of the Provost and the office of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to carry out the responsibilities of the President in the President's absence.

According to the 1995-1997 Academic Programs catalog for Michigan State University, the range of the Provost's administration presently include "...responsibility at the dean's level for the Department of Aerospace Studies and the Department of Military Science. The Office of the Provost also has administrative responsibility for the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, Computing and Technology, Office of Facilities Planning and Space Management, Financial Aid Office, The Graduate School (jointly with the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies), Performing Arts Facilities and Programs including the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Office of Planning and Budgets (jointly with the Vice President for Finance and Operations), Office of the Registrar, Office of the Secretary for Academic Governance, and University Outreach. In addition, the Office has University-wide responsibility for Summer Session programs, University travel, commencement, Faculty Seminars, academic human resources, liaison with academic governance standing committees, and awards for faculty and graduate assistants." (p. 407)