UVU developed its policy process to support the University’s shared governance model, in which faculty, staff, students, and administration may provide formal commentary on proposed policies. This provides university community members the opportunity to provide feedback and perspective in the institutional policy process. The policy process is detailed in full in Policy 101 Policy Governing Policies (PDF).
Policy needs come from different sources: a change in state or federal law, a new development at the University (such as new programs or regulatory requirements), or emerging best practices. President’s Council and the Policy Office receive input on policy needs from subject matter specialists, university leaders, Compliance, Office of General Counsel, faculty, staff, and students. Individual members of the university community may at any time propose the creation, revision, or deletion of a policy. If the appropriate vice president agrees to sponsor the policy, they may submit an executive summary to the Policy Office.
“Shared governance is a model of management in higher education founded on democratic ideals and is based on principles of mutual trust, respect, fairness, transparency, accountability, open dialogue, and the best use of human talent and physical resources.”
―Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities, AAUP
Every proposed change to the UVU Policy Manual (including new policies and revisions or deletions of existing policies) must go through one of the University's policy approval processes, depending on the content of the policy, the nature of the revisions (if applicable), and the needs of the University:
The regular policy approval process is the approval process for most new policies, substantive revisions of existing policies, and deletions of existing policies. Most policies go through the regular policy process.
The temporary policy approval process is reserved for policy proposals that President’s
Council deems to be crucial and therefore must be processed in a shorter time period
than is possible through the regular approval process. Policies approved through this
process remain in effect for up to one year.
More about the temporary policy approval process »
The non-substantive change policy approval process is reserved exclusively for making
non-substantive revisions to existing policies in the manual. Non-substantive revisions
are changes that correct typographical and grammatical errors, change policy format,
and/or update university or reference information.
More about the non-substantive change approval process »
The compliance change policy approval process is reserved for nondiscretionary, limited scope revisions to passages of existing policy, or deletions of a policy from the Policy Manual necessitated by changes in external law or other binding compliance requirements. The revisions proposed during this process are limited to only those specific policy sections requiring modification to maintain the University’s compliance with external law.
Policy sponsors are members of President's Council responsible for overseeing university policies for their areas. Policy stewards facilitate the development and advancement of a policy draft through the stages of the policy approval process.
Works alongside other subject-matter experts in writing committees to draft university policy.
The Equity Assessment Committee (EAC) is a committee of faculty, students, and staff established to review and assess policy drafts through an equity framework to protect, promote, and enrich inclusion, diversity, and equity.
Policy coordinators are dedicated subject matter experts employed by a university organization and assigned to aid in the coordination of policy development and planning for their division.
Meets regularly with the Policy Coordinator Committee to organize and coordinate policy development efforts.
The Policy Office oversees policy development across the University through editorial collaboration and process coordination with all of the entities and stakeholders involved in policy at the University.
Coordinates policy needs assessment and review with President’s Council, the Office of General Council, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and the Policy Coordinator Committee.
Maintains the online Policy Manual, Policy Approval Pipeline, Policy Office web pages, and policy archives.
The Office of General Counsel provides advice and counsel on all matters having legal significance for the University, including policy development.
Analyzes and advises on the legal implications of policy under applicable law, regulations, and policies.
Students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to review and make recommendations for university policy through their elected representatives in their associated University governance entity: UVUSA (students), Faculty Senate and Academic Affairs (faculty), and PACE (staff).
Provides formal commentary on policies in development to ensure representation of their constituents in university governance.
Policy Subcommittee is comprised of members of President's Council. They have the authority to approve or disapprove policy drafts to go on to President's Council for review.
Assesses policy drafts to determine if the drafts are ready for President's Council review.
President's Council is the central governing body of the University. It is convened by the University President and comprised of the University's vice presidents and elected representatives from Faculty Senate, UVUSA, and PACE.
Reviews, approves, and makes recommendations for policy proposals and drafts.
The UVU Board of Trustees is the governing board of the University. They serve as
advisers to the president, and work to give visibility to the mission of the University. The
Board of Trustees must review and approve all policies before enactment at the University.
Is the final review body for all policy drafts following President's Council approval of the final draft.
