Policies
Academic Policies
Academic policies pertain to regulations or procedures developed to maintain academic standards while assuring fair and consistent treatment of students. These policies are exclusive of degree requirements. Some examples of academic policies include those relating to grading and GPA, dismissal, and instructional credit. Academic policies are found in the University Catalog.
The term “policy” also includes university policies, administrative policies and operational policies, which are found in the University Policy Register.
University Policies
University policies directly affect the educational mission of the university (i.e., broad application across the entire campus system). University policies require approval of the appropriate executive officer, the president and the Board of Trustees before implementation.
Administrative Policies
Administrative policies govern the internal operations, rules and regulations of the university as provided for by a current university policy. These policies often clarify the roles and responsibilities of administrators, staff, faculty and students relative to a specified subject matter, in addition to providing guidance on general procedural matters.
Administrative policies require the approval of the appropriate executive officer and review by the President’s Cabinet before implementation. Notification of the Board of Trustees may follow the effective date.
Operational Policies
Operational policies provide a very specific sets of instructions or procedures to be followed in support of a related administrative policy, necessary to implement a policy or program at the university. As the university is often changing the department-level procedures to ensure operational efficiency, this policy format should be used sparingly and only if absolutely necessary to carry out a specific process vital to the mission of the university. Otherwise, a department-level policy document should be sufficient.
Operational policies require notification of the President’s Cabinet before implementation. Notification of the Board of Trustees may follow the effective date.