Policy Development Policy
This policy was posted for public comment from April 28 - May 13, 2022.
Comments
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My only suggestion, if it matters, is what I feel are writing errors. I know this is not the feedback you're asking for, but thought I'd point them out if this becomes the official document. |
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Thank you for sending this policy for review. Is the part about not sending policies for review over the summer still here? Faculty are often unavailable and they need to have the opportunity to respond during their 9-month contact period. Is the part in green new? It seems to me that the President should be required to disclose the exception to all concerned parties. |
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Please define "department"--is department defined as a school or a division or a program on the academic side of the college? Does this mean that schools cannot have policies and procedures--but must call their policies and procedures "rules"? Some programs with accreditations require that those programs have policies and procedures in place for that program. Does this policy mean that those programs cannot be approved program policies and procedures without having an executive cabinet member review and approve first? |
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I do not support the addition of the " J. Presidential Authority to Create Exception to Policy Requirements" The president already has the power to 1) declare emergency policies that skip the process if needed and 2) can make any number of executive decisions as part of their job that don't necessarily require policy. I can't see how this ability for the President and Cabinet to do this not get abused at some point since it creates a backdoor to create long lasting policy without any stakeholder input. This addition erodes trust in the employees for Cabinet, something that is already incredibly tenuous as is. |
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It is imperative that 15 day reviews always happen during the regular academic year and not during the summer semester when many faculty are not on contract. Historically this has already caused SLCC major issues. Please and into the policy that requirement. The President has emergency policy powers to temporarily address any emergency issues that pop up during the summer. |
Responses
15-day Review Comment Period Should Be During the Regularly Academic Year (not during the Summer Semester)
The originator added the following language to IV.D.2.b: “Whenever possible and especially when faculty are affected by a specific policy, the Executive Cabinet and policy office will avoid sending policies for a 15-day review outside of the regular academic year.” This was added to clarify the existing language in section IV.D.1 which states: “the . . . executive cabinet may review and take any action on a proposed new or revised policy or procedure or at any time.” Furthermore, section IV.D.2 states: that “[executive cabinet] should provide sufficient time ... [for] stakeholders in the college community . . . to provide comments regarding the proposed policy or procedure."
Addition of the Policy Exception Provision is Not Necessary Given the Emergency Policy Provision.
No revision was made. Periodically, the president receives requests to act which are in the best interest of the college, but which may violate Board of Trustee policy. While the president has considerable decision-making authority, she is obligated to follow the Board policy. This limited, narrowly tailored exception provision provides this flexibility, but imposes a check and balance on this authority by requiring Executive Committee approval each time this exception authority is used.
Clarification of What Constitutes a Department and Difference Between a Policy/Procedure and Departmental Rule.
No revision was made. Health Sciences departments, like all other academic and non-academic offices, may enact policies and procedures governing their area. Section III.D broadly defines a department rule to include department policies, procedures, guidelines, regulation, and standards.
Section III.B defines a department rule as “a written directive that applies to a specific department or subdivision of the college and governs a process that is unique to that department. Department rules may be referred to by various names, which may include department rules, departmental guidelines, department policies, bylaws, charters, regulations, standard operating procedures, or statements of standards."
Given the broad scope of the department rules definition, Health Science may develop department policies and procedures which are necessary for their accreditation.
In addition, when this department rule provision was enacted in 2018, there were many college department rules. Section IV.G.4-7 sets forth when such department rules must be approved by a vice-president:
- After 2018, a new department rule must be approved by the appropriate vice-president.
- Department rules, in existence in 2018, do not require vice-presidential approval provided no revision has been made to the rule.
- Department rules, in existence in 2018, which have been subsequently revised, require vice presidential approval
- All department rules must be on the division or department’s webpage.
- Directors and Associate Deans are responsible for distribution of department rules and procedure to employees in their department.
Grammatical Errors Have Been Corrected
In IV.J.1.b, revised the introductory clause from “Prior to the enacting the exception” to “Prior to the enacting of the exception."
In IV.J.1.d, removing the “s” from “exceptions” so it reads “exception"
Subsection IV.G.1. made an incorrect reference to the definition for “department rule” in section III.D. Department rule is defined in section III.C and not section III.D. This has been revised.