About University Policies

A University policy is an official statement expressing the position of the University on an issue of institution-wide importance. A policy guides the decisions and actions of the institution and is consistent with its mission. As such it meets the following criteria:

• The administrative authority of the University and its governing boards has sanctioned it.
• It has a broad institution-wide application.
• It is a governing principle for both established and future activities of the University.
• It exists to ensure consistency in University practice to conform with the University’s mission and goals, Federal and State legislation, collective bargaining agreements and other legal requirements.

Violations of University policies may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. A supervisor’s failure to enforce a policy does not excuse an employee from complying with it, nor does it prevent the University from taking disciplinary action thereafter.

About University Procedures

Procedures and protocols are methods established for the implementation of policies. If a policy is “what” the institution does, its procedures and protocols are “how” it carries out the requirements of a policy.