Below are answers to commonly asked questions about the University Policy Library and the process for reviewing, revising, and drafting policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question What is the University Policy Library?
- Answer
The University Policy Library is a comprehensive collection of all policies that apply to all areas of the University of La Verne operations. It is the central location for campus constituents to find the official and most up-to-date versions of university policies. The University Policy Library is located at laverne.edu/policies
- Question Why do we have a University Policy Library?
- Answer
Before the University Policy Library, university policies were housed in separate units and departments across campus. This resulted in campus constituents having difficulty efficiently locating specific policies. Bringing all policies into a central location increases campus constituents’ ability to find the policy provisions they are interested in and aids departments in reviewing policies for guidance and consistent decision-making.
- Question What policies are included in the University Policy Library?
- Answer
All University policies are accessible from the University Policy Library. Policy documents, as they are reviewed and updated, will also include related procedures.
Protocols, guidelines, and other college-department-level information may be included in individual policy reference sections and may still be maintained on individual department web pages.
- Question Our office/department/college has a set of guidelines and practices for how we conduct work internally. Does this need to go through the policy process and be included in the policy library?
- Answer
No. The policy development process and policy library are for university-wide policies that affect one or more stakeholder groups (e.g., all staff, all faculty, all students, etc.).
Guidelines, protocols, and practices that pertain to how specific offices/departments/colleges operate can be managed by how supervisors and their individuals teams. (Policy 101, Section II)
- Question What is a university policy versus a process/procedure?
- Answer
A policy is a formal rule statement of the University. Policies are usually broader in scope, addressing a single topic, to provide a framework for decision-making and ensure consistency with legal and ethical standards. Policies also include processes or procedures that outline step-by-step instructions for implementing or following the rules set forth in a policy.
- Question What is the difference between a policy, guideline, protocol, and standard?
- Answer
Visit laverne.edu/policies/definitions for definitions for each.
- Question What is an addendum?
- Answer
An addendum is a document that includes additional policy provisions that were added to a policy after the policy was approved. Items included in an addendum are meant to clarify or supplement the provisions of the parent policy.
In contrast, corrections to a policy can either be completed through a non-substantive change request or a policy revision request, depending on the scope and magnitude of the correction.
- Question Who's is responsible for maintaining the University Policy Library?
- Answer
The Central Policy Office is responsible for maintaining the University Policy Library.
- Question What is the policy development and review process?
- Answer
The details of the policy development, review, and approval process are outlined in 101: Policy on Policies
- Question How are university stakeholders involved in the review process?
- Answer
The process is designed for the policy owner and stewards to be responsible for seeking input and feedback from the stakeholder groups that are affected by the policy. Faculty, staff, and student inout shall be sought and incorporated, as appropriate, before a draft policy is reviews by the University Management Council or the General Counsel. (Policy 101, Section 6.3.2)
- Question Who can request that a policy be updated, created, or eliminated?
- Answer
Any member of the campus community may request that a policy be updated, created, or eliminated. The Central Policy Office will facilitate connecting an individual making a policy request with the appropriate policy owners and stewards.
- Question How can someone request that a policy be updated, created, or eliminated?
- Answer
Please complete a Policy Action Request Form found here.
- Question Do I need to submit a Policy Action Request Form if I'm reviewing a policy I own or developing a new policy that my area will oversee?
- Answer
Yes. By submitting a Policy Action Request Form, you are informing the central policy office that a policy is being worked on. This helps the central office track progress and help shepherd through the process, avoid duplication of efforts between different units, and maintain current record of which policies are in review and by which office. (Policy 101, Section 4.6)
- Question Who is responsible for drafting new policies or updating existing policies?
- Answer
Policy owners and Policy Stewards are responsible for drafting new policies and updating existing policies. Generally, policy owners are senior leaders with final responsibility for the operational areas covered by policies and policy stewards are the subject matter experts that administer the policies on a routine basis. Please refer to 101: Policy on Policies.
- Question I’m a policy owner or policy steward. Where can I find resources for writing or revising a policy?
- Answer
Please visit the Policy Resources page in the MyLaVerne Portal.
If you have additional questions, please email universitypolicies@laverne.edu
- Question Who can I contact if I have more questions?
- Answer
Please send any questions to universitypolicies@laverne.edu.