The university as a system of formal authority is considered in the Canadian context. The structure of the 27 largest Canadian universities (ranked by operating income) is analyzed with reference to their organizational charts. It is assumed that the structure symbolizes an official style of authority and responsibility reflected by the number of vice-presidents. The manner in which the charts of the universities actually denote their authority architecture is analyzed in detail. The administrative component is emphasized, although specific modifications on the academic side are identified. Universities with the traditional tandem structure consisting of two vice-presidents are Ryerson Polytechnic Institute, Windsor University, Carleton University, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Guelph. The University of Waterloo, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Manitoba still limit themselves to the tandem structure, but are examples of specific structural adjustments in which the concept of the group director is introduced. For example, at Waterloo, an academic services director reports directly to the academic vice-president. Universities with three vice-presidents are New Brunswick, Queen's, McMaster, Concordia, and Western Ontario. Universities in which the president is assisted by three vice-presidents, two of whom are responsible for administrative, financial, and personnel affairs are Victoria, Sherbrooke, Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia. Universities with four vice-presidents are Memorial, York, Calgary, Laval, Alberta, and UQAM. In addition, the Universite de Montreal has six vice-presidents, McGill University and the University of Toronto have five. (SW)