AUTHORIZATION OF CAMPUS HANDBOOKS

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To establish authority for certain units to develop, adopt, maintain, and enforce their own handbooks which shall have the weight of University policy, provided they are consistent with the University Policy Manual and related procedures.

Scope: This policy applies to all academic schools and specified campus units within the University that are authorized by the President to create handbooks.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs; Athletics; Division of Student Success; Police & Safety; Library and Archives

Policy Statement: Individual Schools and other Designated Campus Units within the University are authorized to develop and implement handbooks specific to their operations, provided such handbooks:

• Are consistent with, and do not conflict with, existing or future University-wide policies, procedures, and standards. In the event of such a conflict, the University-wide policy shall prevail.
• Have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate administrative authority within the unit and submitted to the Office of General Counsel for final approval before implementation.
• Are made accessible to all members of the unit, including faculty, staff, and students.

Handbooks developed in accordance with this policy shall be reviewed as needed, but at least annually, to ensure continued alignment with University policies and any applicable legal or regulatory requirements.

Enforceability

Once approved by the Office of General Counsel, handbooks established under this policy shall have the full weight of University policy within the respective unit and may be cited as such in the enforcement of standards, expectations, and procedures.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in the revocation of authority to maintain or enforce a handbook, and/or corrective actions as deemed appropriate by University administration.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Designated Campus Units – For the purpose of this policy, the designated campus units that are authorized to develop and implement handbooks include: Intercollegiate Athletics; Residential Life; Division of Student Success; Police and Safety; Health and Wellness Center; and Library and Archives.

Individual Schools – For the purposes of this policy, individual schools that are authorized to develop and implement handbooks include: The Teacher’s College; the School of Business + Technology; the School of Library + Information (SLIM); the School of Humanities + Social Sciences (HSSS); the School of Science + Mathematics; the School of Visual + Performing Arts; the School of Applied Health Sciences; the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies; the Honors College; and the Graduate School.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of General University procedures.

[General University procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]