Policy governance framework

Introduction

The Policy Governance Framework provides the structure for describing, ordering, developing and maintaining the University's policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. The Framework is constituted through three principal documents, namely:

All other policy documents are subject to the requirements of the Policy Governance Framework.

The University Policy Manager (in the Corporate Governance & Risk Office) is available to provide advice and guidance to policy practitioners on the development, approval, implementation and review of policy documents. The University Policy Manager can review drafts of policy documents that are under development or under review. It is the role of the University Policy Manager to provide quality assurance to the University Executive on all new and revised policy documents.

Policy document development & review

The Policy Governance Framework must be followed when developing or reviewing University policy documents. The goal is to ensure all policy documents are consistently formatted and written, making them easier for users to understand and implement.

Policy practitioners developing new policies or reviewing existing ones are required to use the native files which can be sought from the Policy Manager or templates provided on this page.

For a detailed overview of the process for policy development, review, and approval, please refer to the flowcharts linked below:

Detailed flowcharts explaining the entire Policy Governance process are available here.

Endorsement and approval

The below table outlines the endorsement and approval required for new, amended or repealed policy documents prior to publication onto the Policy Library.

Policy document	Proposal	Policy Manager	Service Division Director	Approval Authority
Policy	New document	Yes	Yes	Vice-Chancellor
	Major amendment	Yes	Yes	Vice-Chancellor
	Minor amendment*	Yes	Yes	Responsible Officer
	Repeal	Yes	Yes	Vice-Chancellor
Procedure / Standard	New document	Yes	Yes	Chief Operating Officer
	Major amendment	Yes	Yes	Chief Operating Officer
	Minor amendment*	Yes	Yes	Responsible Officer
	Repeal	Yes	Yes	Chief Operating Officer
Guideline	All	Yes	Yes	Responsible Officer or Responsible Executive
Form	All	Yes	Yes	Responsible Officer

* Minor amendment means change in policy documents that is intended to: correct or update a title, name, numbering, web link, metadata or a reference (to law, another policy document, a delegation, or other relevant document); correct document formatting, spelling, grammar, or clarity of language, which does not otherwise affect the document intent or content.

Details pertaining to the development, review and approval of policy documents are laid out under the policy governance policy and procedure.