In February 2017, the University Policy and Standards Program began a complete review of OSU's university policies and standards, as well as the processes for developing policies and standards. The policy program developed a Strategic Plan and is currently working through the items outlined below. This plan will be reviewed and updated periodically.  

Purpose 

This document describes a plan for updating the university policy and standards program for Oregon State University. It is intended to be a strategic document but when possible identifies actors, actions, and timelines. 

Background 

In 2015 the Oregon University System, which provided a central governance and policymaking structure for the major Oregon universities, was disbanded. Oregon State University has begun updating its processes for developing, managing, and implementing university policy. This effort is being led by the University Policy and Standards Program within the Office of University Compliance. This policy program is establishing policymaking processes, and reviewing, revising, and categorizing all existing policies and standards.

Vision

The University Policy and Standards Program will promote the university’s mission by establishing a uniform and collaborative policymaking process and providing comprehensive, clear guidance to the university community and broader public about applicable university policies and standards.

Plan for Updating the Policy and Standards Program

Phase I. Establishing the Foundation for Policy Development and Management

  1. Finalize Policy 04-001, Development of University Policies and Standards. This policy describes the process for adopting, modifying, and retiring university policies and standards. It will form the foundation for the proposed policy process.
  2. Adopt conventions for categorizing policies. 
    • Identify the major categories of policy and adopt naming and organizational conventions.
  3. Design and launch website for the policy manual. 
    • Develop content, including major information that should be conveyed in the site and general ideas for how it should be organized.
  4. Consolidate all policies across the university. 
    • Identify existing policies in every department, center, unit, and office. 
    • In consultation with policy stewards, determine if unit policies warrant inclusion in the UPSM and if so, manage the process for updating them as necessary.
  5. Constitute the Policy Advisory Group. 
    • Compliance/policy program will identify members of the PAG.
    • Executive Policy and Standards Committee will advise on the PAG charter. 
  6. Develop Guidance Documents.
    • Develop internal, policy program manual to guide the program’s operations, including processes and procedures, record-keeping, etc.
    • Develop guidance for policy stewards to aid in drafting policy, training, outreach, etc.
    • Develop public-facing information about the policy process and policy program for external stakeholders.

Phase II. Begin Developing, Organizing, and Categorizing Policies

  1. Prioritize policy needs. 
    • Meet with policy stewards to:
      • Identify policy actions
      • Prioritize actions 
  2. Identify high priorities. 
    • Take action on highest priority policies, based on desires of the Board, the President, major areas of risk, and policy stewards.
  3. Identify quick wins. 
    • Identify and take action on policies that can be retired or updated quickly, without disruption.
  4. Long-term policy development and management. 
    • Turn to the medium and lower priority policies, retiring, updating, introducing, and categorizing policy as necessary.

Phase III.  Long-term policy maintenance

  1. Continue to modify and update policies.
  2. Continued outreach and education efforts.