E. Institutional Policy Development, Review and Approval

(Note: OLPM sections on this page may be cited following the format of, for example, "UNH.III.E.1.1". These policies may be amended at any time, do not constitute an employment contract, and are provided here only for ease of reference and without any warranty of accuracy. See OLPM Main Menu for details.)


1.ÌýÌýÌýAuthority

1.1ÌýÌýÌýThe President of the University of New Hampshire is responsible under RSA 187-A:16 for the general administration and supervision of all aspects of instructional, research and service programs for the University of New Hampshire, including those for UNHM, Cooperative Extension and NHPTV. In addition, Board of Trustees policy BOT III.A.1 and 2 establish authority for the President to adopt institutional policies.

1.2ÌýÌýÌýIn addition to the above responsibilities, BOT and USY policy specifies areas of delegated authority and responsibility to UNH. Those specifications are included by functional area.

1.3ÌýÌýÌýThe President of the University of New Hampshire may delegate authority to specific officers of the University. Those delegations are included by function into "UNH" designated policy. In addition, the President may delegate authority for the adoption of UNH procedures.

2.ÌýÌýÌýDefinition and Elements

2.1ÌýÌýÌýDefinition. UNH shall promulgate such policies, procedures, and guidelines as are necessary to carry out its responsibilities under UNH III.E.1.

2.1.1ÌýÌýÌý"Institutional" policies, procedures, and guidelines shall mean those that have general applicability throughout the University. Policies, procedures, and guidelines that are unique to one particular part of the University, e.g., college, school, designated committee, Faculty Senate, administrative office, etc., have separate approval processes as delegated by the President of the University.

2.1.2ÌýÌýÌý"Policies" shall mean written statements or sets of statements that describe principles, requirements, and limitations and will be characterized by indicating "what" needs to be done rather than how to do it. Such statements will have the force of establishing rights, requirements, and responsibilities.

2.1.3ÌýÌýÌý"Procedures" shall mean written documents providing specific "how to" information and will normally be developed by the office responsible for administration of a policy. In cases where procedures establish rights, requirements, and responsibilities, they will normally be developed through a process similar to the institutional policy approval process.

2.1.4ÌýÌýÌý"Guidelines" shall mean written documents that further explain policies/procedures and will be characterized by narrative descriptions and examples that serve as aids in interpreting and applying them. Unless otherwise stated, guidelines will not normally have the force of establishing rights, requirements and responsibilities.

2.2ÌýÌýÌýInstitutional Policy Elements

2.2.1ÌýÌýÌýAll UNH institutional policy shall include the following elements: a) the statement of policy, b) the effective date of the policy which shall be the date of adoption by the President unless otherwise specified1, c) a statement of authority, and d) a statement regarding applicability.

2.2.2ÌýÌýÌýPolicy formatting shall be consistent with USY and UNH convention and numbering.


1 As policies are revised, all dates of revision and the date of original policy issuance should be listed to preserve the history of policy formation.


3.ÌýÌýÌýAdoption, Amendment and Repeal of UNH Institutional Policy

3.1ÌýÌýÌýAll UNH institutional policy shall be developed, reviewed and approved according to this policy (UNH III.E). UNH institutional policy shall be adopted, amended or repealed by written authorization of the President or his/her designee. Authorized institutional policies and revisions shall be forwarded to the ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥½ÁÖé½á¹û General Counsel for inclusion in the On-line Policy Manual (OLPM).

4.ÌýÌýÌýInstitutional Policy Initiation and Development

4.1ÌýÌýÌýReview of Institutional Policy

4.1.1ÌýÌýÌýExternal Review. In addition to the review process contained in this policy and accompanying guidelines (see "Developing Institutional Policy at the University of New Hampshire: Steps in the Process"), the proposed institutional policy will be reviewed by the ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥½ÁÖé½á¹û General Counsel as well as any other group or individual prescribed by existing policy.

4.1.2ÌýÌýÌýPresidential Notifications. The President's office shall notify the initiating individual or committee whether or not a proposed institutional policy or revision is adopted.

5.ÌýÌýÌýPolicy Status

5.1ÌýÌýÌýPolicies included and authorized as BOT, USY, or UNH institutional policy are official and are available in the OLPM. During the transition period to formal approval of all UNH institutional policies, the President or his/her designee shall make the determination about whether a policy or procedure is to be considered a "working" UNH policy or procedure.

5.2ÌýÌýÌýIn the event of conflict between policies, BOT policy shall have priority over USY and UNH policy. USY policy shall have priority over UNH policy. Official adopted UNH institutional policy shall have priority over working policies or UNH procedures.

6.ÌýÌýÌýInterpretation of Institutional Policy

6.1ÌýÌýÌýPhilosophy. UNH institutional policy shall be interpreted to give the greatest effect to that purpose for which it was adopted. UNH institutional policy is intended to support the mission of the University and should be applied with flexibility and judgment consistent with UNH's goals and obligations.

7.ÌýÌýÌýRecord Keeping

7.1ÌýÌýÌýThe Office of Executive Assistant to the President shall be responsible for records of notifications and approvals, and shall ensure that those responsible for dissemination of institutional policy are informed of the President's approval, policy adoption, amendment, revision or repeal.


Recommended Guidelines

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