The Two Big P's: Policies and Procedures

Policies
Statements that set expectations for decisions made, or actions taken by, members of the university
community related to the rights and duties of, as well as the terms and conditions of engagement for,
students, faculty, and staff. Typically, policies are:

described as the what (rather than the how)

characterized by an expectation of longevity

general statements, but can vary in degrees of specificity depending on their

nature and complexity

subject to a formal review and approval process

documented in a narrative format

Procedures
A set of established instructions, steps, or methods for the implementation, enforcement or
administration of a university policy. Typically, procedures are:

described as the how (rather than the what)

provided to supplement a policy with specifics and complete the information

needed by affected members of the university community (users)

action-oriented, outlining the steps needed, their sequence, and if applicable,

their timing

not considered to be a policy in and of themselves, but can rise to the level of
policy if they involve matters of broad importance or deep concern to the university
community

if considered policy, are subject to a formal review and approval process

documented in a step-by-step format

Other General Policy-Related Terminology

Practices
Customary ways of managing operations, conducting business, or performing academic and
administrative tasks within colleges, divisions, and departments across the university. Typically,
practices are:

informal but widely understood

influenced or shaped by university policies

if documented, distributed internally within colleges, divisions, or departments

for consistency and business continuity purposes; not distributed university-wide

Principles
Fundamental truths or beliefs that serve as the basis for a policy, procedures, and other conduct
within the university. Typically, principles:

provide guidance to individuals responsible for making decisions or taking action,

based on the policy or procedure

are referred to as guiding principles

are presented in a way that clarifies, if there are competing principles, how they
are balanced or prioritized

are found in the rationale section of an RIT policy

Processes
High-level, broad, or multi-faceted actions or operations within the university; for example, the
admissions process, hiring process, or student conduct process. Typically, processes are:

more general than procedures

descriptive rather than instructional

referenced in university policies and procedures, but not used formally as a term
to mean a policy or procedure

Standards
Requirements, models or benchmarks adopted or established within the university by authority,
custom, or general consent. Typically, standards are:

developed and promulgated by offices with specific knowledge and expertise

subject to change

able to be audited on the basis of quantitative or go/no go metrics

documented in a narrative or outline format

formal