Policy Pipeline Updates: Policy Actions Approved by Board of Trustees, June 23, 2026

On June 23, 2026, UVU's Board of Trustees approved the following policy actions:

Compliance Changes

Policy 153 Belief Accommodations 

Approval Process: Compliance

Policy Sponsor: Marilyn Meyer

Policy Steward: Drew Burke

Policy Action: Revision—Limited Scope

Policy Documents:Policy 153

 

Who does this apply to?  All members of the university community

What does this policy revision address? This update revises Policy 153 to comply with HB 204 and related Board and Utah Administrative Code requirements governing student religious and conscientious belief accommodations. The changes expand protections by requiring reasonable accommodations for scheduling conflicts and certain objections to required coursework unless doing so would fundamentally alter a program while also establishing clear procedures for notice, confidentiality, instructor response, denials, and neutral review to ensure a consistent and legally compliant process.

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? If you have questions about these compliance changes, contact the policy steward.

 

Policy 302 Hiring of Staff and Student Employees

Policy 306 Recruitment, Selection, and Hiring of Faculty Positions

Policy 309 Executive Employees: Recruitment, Compensation, Termination

Approval Process: Compliance

Policy Sponsor: Marilyn Meyer

Policy Steward: Drew Burke

Policy Action: Revision—Limited Scope

Policy Documents: Policy 302, Policy 306, Policy 309

 

Who does this apply to? Veterans being considered for employment at UVU 

What does this policy revision address? The Utah Veterans Preference for Career Services Act requires public employers to provide hiring preference for qualified veterans. UVU currently follows this requirement operationally through hiring procedures and guidance. However, UVU’s hiring policies do not currently reference this statutory requirement. These revisions will add the following language to these three policies: "The University complies with the Utah Veterans Preference for Career Services Act. For more information, contact the People and Culture office." 

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? If you have questions about these compliance changes, contact the policy steward.

 

Regular Policy Process

Policy 106 Special Purpose Organizational Units 

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Wayne Vaught

Policy Steward: Kat Brown

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 106

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Those involved with SPOUs

​What revisions were made to this policy? ​​Policy 106 was revised to comply with changes to Utah Board of Higher Education’s Policy R401 Approval of New Programs, Program Changes, Discontinued Programs, and Program Reports. Policy R401 no longer requires OCHE to approve universities’ centers, institutes, and bureaus. Revisions to Policy 106 clarified language, updated references and terms, established policies and procedures appropriate to a university, and removed procedures that are more appropriate in an SOP or practice document. The policy addresses both academic and non-academic entities. ​

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? This policy is now in effect and can be viewed online in the Policy Manual.

 

Policy 158 Tobacco-Free Campus

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Marilyn Meyer

Policy Steward: Drew Burke

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 158

 

​Who does this policy apply to? All members of the university community

​What revisions were made to this policy? ​​The Utah Clean Air Act was amended in May of 2023 (Utah Code 26B-7-503), and it has been 20 years since this policy was last revised. New revisions are needed to ensure greater compliance and promote a healthy work environment. These revisions will enhance productivity by minimizing smoke-related disruptions, illnesses, and absences and have a positive effect on UVU healthcare costs. 

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? University community members will now have clear guidance on the use of tobacco on university property.

 

Policy 232 Honorary and Gift-Based Namings

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Kyle Reyes

Policy Steward: Melanie LaFranca

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 232

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Staff involved in honorary and gift-based namings

​What revisions were made to this policy? ​​This policy was updated to align with current procedures and practices. Major revisions addressed the following:  

  • Clarified responsibilities in approval processes, ways funding for signage for named spaces is determined, and removal of gift-based, honorary, and space namings
  • Permitted other entities besides Athletics to engage in term-limited namings
  • Added a definition and procedure section for space-based namings
  • Added to definition of a space-naming agreement that when these agreements are signed, there should always be representation from the UVU Foundation

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? This policy is now in effect and can be viewed online in the Policy Manual.

 

Policy 361 Employee Leave

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Marilyn Meyer

Policy Steward: Marni Fisher

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 361

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Benefits-eligible employees  

​What revisions were made to this policy? The proposed leave policy introduces several updates from the temporary policy, including expanded bereavement leave by increasing time available for immediate family members and adding leave for extended family members. It also clarifies that bereavement leave cannot be combined with parental leave. Additional guidance has been provided to define eligibility for parental leave in cases of miscarriage and stillbirth. The language regarding long-term disability requirements has been refined for clarity, and a limit has been established for extended sick leave.

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? This policy is now in effect and can be viewed online in the Policy Manual. Employees may wish to familiarize themselves with the types and amount of leave they can access. 

 

Policy 545 Veteran's Services

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Michelle Kearns

Policy Steward: Spencer Ebert

Policy Action: Deletion

Policy Documents: N/A

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Students who are military veterans  

Why is this policy being deleted? The policy owners have determined that it would be best to delete the outdated policy from the Policy Manual and address the subject matter in guidelines/procedure documents that can be updated as needed.

Now that this policy is no longer in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? The processes once covered in this policy will now be handled in department procedure documents.

 

Policy 608 Internship Program Requirements and Implementation

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Wayne Vaught

Policy Steward: Kat Brown

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 608

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Faculty and staff

What revisions were made to this policy? This policy was updated to be consistent with current practice. Updates are as follows:

  • Updated the title throughout document to reflect the department name “Career & Internship Center”, including in 4.6, and 4.7
  • Deleted section 4.6.6 about remote internship
  • Deleted the words “in writing” in sections 4.6 and 4.7
  • Changed 2 months to 6 months in section 4.7.1
  • Changed “Learning Agreement Form” to “Internship Learning Objectives” in 5.9

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? Those involved in establishing or overseeing internships may wish to familiarize themselves with the updates.

 

Policy 635 Faculty Rights and Professional Responsibilities

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Wayne Vaught

Policy Steward: Kat Brown

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 635

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Faculty

What revisions were made to this policy? Limited scope changes were made to provide the following updates and clarifications: 

  • Clarified that personal vacations that interfere with holding regular class are not permissible during the semester
  • Reinforced that faculty are expected to teach for the full duration of their contracted semesters. Faculty members are not permitted to alter or reduce their contract period
  • Complied with Title II by adding a provision to inform faculty about the federal compliance requirements with Title II regarding ADA technology accessibility issues on apps and course content on the internet

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? Faculty may wish to familiarize themselves with the policy clarifications to understand their obligations for teaching during the semester.

 

Policy 648 Faculty Personnel Reduction

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Wayne Vaught

Policy Steward: Kat Brown

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 648

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Faculty

What revisions were made to this policy? Academic Affairs made limited scope revisions to this policy, so it does not contradict the revised policy, Policy 649 Faculty Remediation, Sanction, and Dismissal Due to Cause. Limited scope changes include deletion of the section and references related to faculty remediation, sanctions, and dismissal, which will be covered by the proposed Policy 649. Faculty members may contest a layoff only for (a) violation of their academic freedom or constitutional rights or (b) failure to comply with this policy, with related institutional policy, or with the plan for personnel reduction approved by the Board of Trustees.

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? Faculty may wish to familiarize themselves with the procedures in this policy.

 

Policy 653 Non-Tenure Track Faculty

Approval Process: Regular

Policy Sponsor: Wayne Vaught

Policy Steward: Kat Brown

Policy Action: Revision

Policy Documents: Policy 653

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Faculty

What revisions were made to this policy? Key changes include streamlined definitions and standardized terminology; clarification that appointments are single-year, renewable, and carry no expectation of contract renewal; extension of the non-renewal notice deadline to June 1; and stronger consequences for hiring policy violations. The revisions also clarify service expectations and governance roles for non-tenure-track faculty, including limits on participation in RTP and leadership positions, while allowing certain approved voting and nonvoting roles for senior and distinguished lecturers. Additionally, the policy changes strengthened rank advancement requirements by emphasizing minimum teaching standards, allowing departments to define appropriate scholarship and service expectations, standardizing eligibility criteria, and requiring portfolio reviews to align with each faculty member’s assigned responsibilities.

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? Faculty may wish to familiarize themselves with the procedures in this policy.

 

Temporary Policy Process

Policy 617 Instructional Physical Contact

Approval Process: Temporary

Policy Sponsor: Wayne Vaught

Policy Steward: Kat Brown

Policy Action: New

Policy Documents: Policy 617

 

​Who does this policy apply to? Instructors and students

Why was this new policy created? Physical contact is sometimes necessary for instructional, clinical, demonstration, assessment, or safety purposes. A policy governing necessary physical contact is needed to ensure instructional touch occurs only when educationally necessary; is limited to the minimum contact required; and is conducted in a respectful, professional, trauma-informed, and consent-based manner. 

Now that this policy is in the Policy Manual, what does this mean for me? This temporary policy will be in effect for one year while the draft goes through the regular policy process. If you have comments about this policy, please contact the policy steward.

For questions or comments regarding any of the above actions, contact the policy sponsor or steward(s) listed, or contact the Policy Office. To learn more about the policy approval process at UVU, visit the Policy Office's Policy Process webpage.

Please note that some of the above links may become outdated or broken as the policy drafts progress through the policy approval process, or are approved for adoption to or deletion from the Policy Manual. For the most up-to-date status regarding a policy or proposed policy draft, see the Policy Manual and Policy Approval Pipeline pages. To request a previous version of a policy or policy draft or for addition questions, contact the Policy Office.