Abstract: This Policy prescribes the process for the development and approval of certain categories of official policies.
Applies to: Faculty, Staff, Students
Policy Holder: President and Dean
Responsible Office: Office of the President and Dean
Contact Information: Christine Szaj, Vice President for Institutional Management
Effective Date: March 15, 2023
Related Documents:
Policy Review and Approval Process
Proposal for New Policy or Revision of Current Policy
Standard Policy Template
Standard Policy Template Guidelines
Approved by: President and Dean
I. Policy Statement and Rationale
Mitchell Hamline School of Law policies align with and promote the school’s mission, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Policies serve to enhance consistency, accountability, financial and ethical integrity, and operational effectiveness; to respond to legislative and regulatory requirements; and to mitigate institutional risk. Policies are mandatory (non-discretionary).
Mitchell Hamline policies that fall within the scope of this Policy on Policy Development, Review, and Management (“Policy on Policies”) are to be developed, approved, revised, and retired according to the processes prescribed in the Policy Review and Approval Process and related documents.
An exception to a policy may be granted for good cause by the President and Dean or designee and is limited to cases that present unusual circumstances.
Interim policies may be drafted and temporarily approved by the President and Dean to address a matter requiring policy direction sooner than normal policy development would permit. Interim policies may remain in place for up to six months after which they shall be replaced by a permanent policy developed according to the procedures articulated in the Policy Review and Approval Process.
New and revised policies proposed for approval after March 15, 2023 must comply with this Policy.
II. Scope of Policy
This Policy applies to administration, faculty, and staff, and to policies that fall outside the exclusions described below.
This Policy on Policies excludes the following categories:
- Board of Trustees policies
- Faculty Governance (e.g., Tenure Code; Faculty Bylaws)
- Academic Rules
- Student Code of Conduct, and
- Policies mandated by federal/state law or regulatory agencies.
III. Procedures
Proposals for new policies, revisions to current policies, or the retirement of obsolete policies must be developed according to the process specified in the Policy Review and Approval Process.
If applicable, specific procedures, processes, or guidelines related to the implementation or interpretation of a policy should be written in a separate document that is referenced in the policy. Links to these documents should be provided in the “Documents Related to Implement Policy” section of the template whenever possible.
Procedures, processes, practices, and guidelines may be modified as needed and are not subject to the process outlined in the Policy Review and Approval Process.
IV. Policy Repository
Policies will be posted in the online Policy Repository that is accessible via the Mitchell Hamline website.
V. Definitions
A glossary of terms that may be unfamiliar or have a specific meaning in the context of the policy should be included in the policy.
For purposes of this Policy on Policies, the following definitions are used.
Policy Title – The official name of policy.
Policy – A statement that governs the conduct and actions of staff, faculty, administration, and students. A policy must be approved by the President and Dean or other designated authority. Policies are to be distinguished from procedures, processes, practices, guidelines, or other similar statements.
Policy Classification – Category of policies organized by subject to which the policy is related.
Policy Holder – The individual accountable for creating, implementing, reviewing, and updating the policy within their area of responsibility. This person is also responsible for communicating information about and monitoring compliance with the policy.
Responsible Office – The office or department charged with responsibility for implementation, enforcement, and oversight of the policy at the direction of the policy holder.
Contact Information – Office, department, or position that can provide additional information about the policy.
Effective Date – Date policy is implemented.
Last Review Date – Date policy was last reviewed.
Other Related Policies – Other policies relevant to the interpretation and implementation of this policy. If applicable, links to these policies should be provided.
Approved By – The individual authorized to approve policies. Generally, the President and Dean or their designee approves policies.
Policy Statement and Rationale – A policy statement is a clear and concise statement of the school’s position on the subject matter. This statement should identify the problem or issue the policy addresses and, if applicable, include any legal or regulatory rationale for the Policy.
Scope of Policy – The individuals or groups of individuals affected by this policy. Generally, policies will apply to one or more of the following groups: faculty, staff, administration, students, or visitors.
Procedures – A written set of rules, series of steps, or instructions regarding a policy’s implementation. Procedures have a narrower focus than policies and may be modified and subject to continuous improvement as determined by the Policy Holder. Links to other relevant information (e.g., practices, standard operating procedures, processes, guidance documents or handbooks/manuals) may be included.