Operations Manual Policy Guide 1.0-1

Introduction/Purpose:

This policy ensures consistency and uniformity in the development, review, approval, and maintenance of policies that have general University applicability. Any department developing or revising University policy should follow the established guidelines to maintain operational excellence. Operations Manual Policies at Saginaw Valley State University are designed to guarantee compliance with governing laws for the safety and responsibility of our community without limiting innovation, collaboration, and academic success.

Definitions:

Authorizing Body - Those with authority to approve University Operations Manual policies are:

1.  Board of Control - BC
2. President - PRES
3. Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs - PRVST & VPAA (Academic)
4. Vice President for Administration & Business Affairs - VP-ABA (Business & Finance)

Responsible Department – The specific organizational unit responsible for administration, oversight and procedural efforts.

Policy: 

The Office of Administration & Business Affairs at Saginaw Valley State University is responsible for the maintenance and oversight of the Operations Manual. Any policy, requirement, or rule that has general applicability and governs University operations shall be contained in the Operations Manual. All University Operations Manual Policies must be approved by the Office of General Counsel and the Authorizing Body. Policies that fall within the scope of the SVSU Board of Control Bylaws must be approved by the Board of Control.

Individual administrative offices, departments and divisions may have various rules, policies and procedures that govern their operations but do not apply to the larger University community.  Those rules/policies are not to conflict with existing University Operations Manual policies and should be managed within the individual units.

Policies that define or regulate academic programs, degree requirements, curriculum, grading, academic standing, or other matters directly affecting student academic progression shall be published in the University Academic Catalog and are not considered Operations Manual policies.

Procedure:

1. New Policies: Any department within the University may propose a new policy that has general applicability throughout the University.  The Operations Manual Policy Template (26KB) should be used to develop the content; however, not every component of the template may apply.
2. Policy Revisions: The Responsible Department may propose revisions to an existing policy; the Operations Manual Policy Template (26KB) should be used.
3. Upon the development, the Responsible Department will vet the draft policy through administrative departments, committees or divisional units and their Vice President.
4. After review from responsible department and their Vice President the policy must be sent to General Counsel for legal review.
5. Once approval is received from General Counsel, the Vice President of the Responsible Department will share with the University Leadership Team.
6. After being vetted by the Leadership Team the Vice President of the Responsible Department must send the policy to the Authorizing Body for final review.
7. The authorizing body shall forward an approved electronic copy to the Office of Administration & Business Affairs for inclusion in the Operations Manual found on the SVSU website –  www.svsu.edu/operationsmanual.
8. Once posted into the Operations Manual, the Responsible Department will initiate communication of the new or revised policies to the university community and ensure that the policy is regularly updated as needed and monitored for compliance and effectiveness.

Related Policies & Forms:

Operations Manual Policy Template (26KB)

Appendix: N/A