Policy Definitions

Policy Management Terms
  1. POLICY
    A governing principle formally approved and established to provide vision, guidance, assistance, and direction to the University community in the conduct of University or Unit affairs.
  1. PROCEDURES
    Statements that set forth the manner for implementing policy, through prescribed and clearly delineated processes and actions, to assure policy compliance.
  1. UNIVERSITY POLICY

    Policies that have institution-wide application, support the University’s mission, impact a substantial portion of the University community, or emanate from authority delegated to the President by the Board of Trustees to manage the institution or comply with federal and other regulations.

    All University entities are expected to comply with approved University policy.  If an exception to the application of a specific University policy is anticipated, the exemption should will be so stated in Section III. Entities Affected by this Policy of the template. It is incumbent upon the Responsible Officer to identify all exceptions and sanctions during the policy development process. (See "Policy Format" below).

 

  1. UNIT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
    Policies or procedures issued by a School, College, Department or operating Unit that relate to matters of interest only to that particular School, College, Department or operating Unit and/or that set forth procedures by which it shall carry out the University policies. Unit policies and procedures are approved by the Responsible Officer before implementation and cannot contradict or override University policies.
  1. UNIVERSITY POLICY COUNCIL (UPC)
    An executive group, designated and appointed by the President, comprised of the General Counsel, Internal Auditor, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Human Resources Officer. The UPC convenes as needed.
  1. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE
    The Responsible Office creates, revises, interprets, implements, promulgates and monitors for adherence all policies and procedures within its purview. The following offices are deemed Responsible Offices:
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the General Counsel
  • Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer
  • Office of the Secretary
  • Office of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
  • Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Office of the Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness

 

  1. RESPONSIBLE OFFICER
    The Responsible Officer is the principal of the Responsible Office who is charged with carrying out the responsibilities of the Responsible Office, including the implementation and oversight of policy administration. The Responsible Officer engages in the identification of existing University policies, recommends and submits new policies or revisions to existing policies, and recommends rescission of existing policies to the University Policy Council. The Responsible Officer cannot delegate the authority to perform as a Responsible Officer.
  1. UNIVERSITY POLICY WORKING GROUP (UPWG)
    The University Policy Working Group is comprised of representatives designated by Responsible Officers to represent them on policy matters. The UPWG convenes monthly on the first Thursday.
  1. POLICY SERIES/POLICY CONTENT AREAS
    Policies are codified under one of the following series headings:

    Series 100 – Academics and Research
    Academic policies related to faculty; the Academy and its administration; policies related to faculty, staff and student research, its funding and commercialization.

    Series 200 – Administration, Facilities and Public Safety
    Broad range of policies related to general administration, facilities and environmental risk.

    Series 300 - Business and Finance
    Policies guiding the accounting for and management of the University’s assets, and other

    financial matters.

    Series 400 - Governance, Risk and Compliance
    Broad range of governance policies related to ethics, standards of conduct, risk and liability mitigation, values, and principles.

    Series 500 - Human Resources/Talent Management
    Policies pertaining to the employer/employee relationship for faculty and staff.

    Series 600 – Student Life
    Broad range of policies related to all facets of student life from admission through graduation.

    Series 700 – Information and Technology
    Broad range of policies related to information and technology management.

    Series 800 – External Relations and Fundraising
    Policies related to managing relationships with groups, organizations and other entities external to Howard University, including alumni relations, government relations and lobbying.

    Series 900 – Clinical
    Range of policies related to the Health Sciences Enterprise, including the Howard University Hospital and the Faculty Practice Plan.

  2. POLICY FORMAT
    Policies must be formatted in the style set forth in the Policy on Policies: I. Policy Statement; II. Rationale; III. Entities Affected by this Policy; IV. Definitions; V. Policy Procedures; VI. Sanctions; VII. Hyperlinks (to the online version of the policy and related documents.)