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 new and reviewing and revising existing policy documents. The aim is to have all University policy documents in a consistent format and drafted in a consistent manner, thereby making it easier for users to understand and implement. Policy practitioners who are developing new, or reviewing existing documents, are expected to make use of the templates provided on this page. These templates are designed to help ensure consistency of presentation and are also technically compatible with the requirements of the Policy Library.

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

Endorsement and approval

The following table is a guide to the endorsment and approval signatures required from specific officers for a new, amended or repealed policy document before they can be uploaded to the Policy Library.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
Form	All	Yes	Yes	Responsible Officer

* Minor amendment means a change made to a policy document to correct or update a title, name, numbering, hyperlink, metadata or a reference to law, another policy document, a delegation, or other relevant document, or to correct document formatting, spelling, grammar, or clarity of language, which does not otherwise affect the document content and intent.

Deadlines for endorsement/approval of administrative policy documents

Administrative policies, procedures and standards that are new, or for which major amendments have been made, require the endorsement of the Service Division Director/College General Managers before they can be approved by the Approval Authority.

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