Policy Development, Revision, and Retirement

Policy Statement

Indiana University establishes University policies to set expectations for the University community, mitigate institutional risk, promote operational efficiency, and support compliance with laws and regulations. Individuals involved in creating, revising, maintaining, or rescinding University policies must comply with the requirements of this policy.

The Board of Trustees, through its Delegation of Authority, has granted authority to the President to promulgate policies. The President has delegated authority to the Policy Executive Committee (PEC) to review and approve University policies. All new and significantly revised University policies must be approved by the PEC before going into effect. The PEC must also approve the recission of any University policies. The President has delegated authority to the Chancellors at each campus to review and approve campus policies at their respective campuses. Each Chancellor must create a campus policy committee for their own campus with the authority to review and approve campus policies on their behalf. Policies adopted by the Board of Trustees may only be modified or rescinded with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Policy Owners are required to consult with representatives from target and affected audiences during the development phase of both new and significantly revised policies, proposals for the retirement of existing policies, and a comprehensive review. The University Policy Office will ensure appropriate parties have been consulted. However, pursuant to IC 21-38-11, faculty governance organization actions are advisory only as more fully described in the Glossary of Terms of Practice. 

Employees and students are responsible for knowing, understanding, and complying with policies that relate to their position, employment or enrollment at the university. The Responsible Office must follow the policy development and implementation process established by this policy, communicating its policies effectively, reviewing and updating its policies regularly, and monitoring its policies for compliance and effectiveness.

In the event of a conflict, university level policies shall supersede all campus, school and college, program, department, center, institute, and unit policies on any core or regional campuses of Indiana University. 

Back to top

Reason for Policy

This policy has been established to:

• define university policy development criteria;
• identify when policies may be created at the campus and unit level;
• identify policies that require Board of Trustee approval;
• determine the membership of the Policy Executive Committee (PEC);
• define the common language to be used in policy development throughout the University; and
• outline the process for creating, revising, maintaining, or rescinding policies.

University Policy Development Criteria

University policies should be consistent with the University’s core values and mission. University policies may be academic or administrative policies that apply university wide. University policies should only be created if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• address a significant risk to the institution that cannot be adequately addressed otherwise;
• support compliance with one or more state or federal laws;
• address a need identified by the Board of Trustees, the President, or the PEC; and
• address a significant operational need across the University.

Campus Policy Development

Individual campuses may develop a campus policy when the campus has a unique situation that cannot be adequately addressed otherwise, and must develop a campus policy when required by a university level policy.

Campuses may not create a policy when it is duplicative or in conflict with an existing university policy. University level policies will supersede campus level policies when in conflict.

Unit-specific Policy Development

Colleges, schools, departments, centers, and other administrative units (units) may develop a local policy if permitted by their campus or school/college processes and must develop a local policy when required by a campus and/or university level policy.

Units may not create a local policy when it is duplicative or in conflict with an existing university or campus policy. Campus level policies will supersede unit specific policies when in conflict and University level policies shall supersede campus and unit level policies that are in conflict.

Policies Requiring Board of Trustees Approval

The Board of Trustees or the President may determine that a specific policy warrants approval of the Board of Trustees. The Delegation of Authority outlines the actions that are reserved for the Board of Trustees and that the President has been delegated explicit authority to manage the institution. The following policies must be brought to the Board of Trustees for approval: 1) any policy that would impact the actions that the Board of Trustees has reserved for itself in the Delegation of Authority; and 2) any policy that state or federal law requires be approved by the Board of Trustees. Policies requiring approval by the Board of Trustees must be reviewed and approved by the President in advance of being brought to the Board of Trustees for approval.

Policy Executive Committee (PEC) Membership

• The PEC shall consist of the following voting members:
• Vice President & General Counsel or their designee
• All Executive Vice Presidents
• Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Vice President for Student Success
• Vice President for Research
• Associate Vice President and Chief Audit Officer – ex-officio
• Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief of Staff
• University Faculty Council Co-Chairs (3)
• University Policy Office – ex-officio
• Others designated by the President

Back to top

History

This policy was adopted on April 15, 2013.

Revisions were made on September 24, 2019.

Non-substantive revisions were made on February 9, 2023.

A new policy was adopted on February 20, 2025.

Substantive revisions were made on June 12, 2025.

Back to top