Definitions

Policy - A policy is a formal rule intended to regulate behavior, practices, or decisions that serve to ensure compliance with regulations and guide university actions. Broadly, policies:

• are applicable university-wide
• carry the expectation of compliance
• change relatively infrequently and chart a course for the foreseeable future
• help ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• reduce institutional risk

Policies are endorsed and approved by the University President and affect all applicable university stakeholders, including students, employees, volunteers, and guests.

Standard - A standard is a division-level directive that sets the minimum requirements or expectations that must be met to ensure compliance with a policy, law, or regulation. Standards are not policies.

A parent policy is the policy that a standard or guideline supports.  

Guideline - A guideline is a recommended practice or principle designed to assist university stakeholders in making decisions or performing tasks in a consistent and effective manner. 

Procedure- A procedure is a type of guideline.  It is a set of instructions or steps that are followed in a specific order to achieve a particular task or outcome. Unless prescribed by a law or regulation or are otherwise prescribed to ensure policy compliance, procedures should not be incorporated into policies. 

Program - A program is a type of guideline.  It refers to a structured plan or system of activities designed to implement a specific policy or standard, often following a prescribed methodology. A program outlines the steps, tools, techniques, and processes that must be followed to achieve the desired outcomes.

Policy Owner - The policy owner is responsible for a policy throughout its lifecycle, including development, approval, implementation, training, monitoring, updates, and retirement, if applicable. Policy owners must be Associate Vice President or equivalent or higher position.