How to Assess and Develop Policy: An Overview
1. Assess and Identify Need and Purpose of New Policy or Policy Edits
2. Review Relevant Policies: 91ɬÂþ and USHE
- 91ɬÂþ Policies
- Identify relevant policies
- Avoid conflicts and duplicates
3. Determine Purpose of Policy
- USHE directive or legal requirement?
- Does it promote operation efficiency and effectiveness?
- Does it mitigate risk?
- Does it standardize processes across units?
4. Determine Who at University is Responsible for What in the Policy
- Create Policy Outline
- Helps avoid passive policy language
- Involve relevant offices and departments
5. Draft the Policy or Edit the Existing Policy
- Use Template Format
- Use consistent language
- Use active voice
- Policy Style Guide & Writing Manual
6. Assess Need for and Create Forms and Approval Processes
- These may include checklists, agreements, or other documents/forms that can be linked from Policy, streamline policy implementation, and/or reduce policy language needed
7. Submit through Policy Review and Approval Process
Understanding what needs to happen next will help you plan your timeline better. Here is a summary of the approval process. Review the Policy on Policies in whole. Overall, unless the policy is submitted as a temporary/emergency policy, plan on 3-6 months before the policy is officially enforced if it is new or has a substantive revision.