1.0  Purpose

The purpose of this University Policy is to clarify rulemaking procedures from the Office of the President, and the procedure for the development, review and approval of policies initiated at other levels or by other bodies in the University.  The decision-making authority upon which this University Policy is based follows existing Statutes and actions of the Board of Governors.

2.0  Actions by the Board of Governors

2.1  Statutes.  In bringing matters to the Board of Governors the President will recommend as Statutes those actions which set policy and which have continuing effect.

2.2  Authorizing Resolutions.  The administration will recommend that the Board act by Authorizing Resolution in instances where the Board approves a specific action or undertaking of short- term character, which will expire.

2.3  Bylaws.  The administration will recommend that the Board adopt as Bylaws:  (a) those regulations guiding the conduct of the internal procedures and affairs of the Board as it exercises its Constitutional and statutory authority, (b) those provisions defining University offices which are also offices of the Board of Governors.

2.4  Resolutions of Delegation.  The administration will recommend that the Board act by Resolution of Delegation when it wishes to confer authority on a person or body to take action on behalf of the Board.

2.5 Motions.  The administration will recommend that the Board of Governors act by Motion in matters not included above, where the Board's action has legal force.

2.6 Resolutions.  The administration will recommend that the Board act by simple Resolution when it expresses a sentiment or opinion, but where its action does not legally bind others.

3.0  Action by the President

3.1 University Policy.  The President will act by University Policy pursuant to authority delegated by the Board of Governors or in otherwise implementing policies adopted by the Board of Governors, in approving policy recommended by the Academic Senate, the Graduate Council, the Council of Deans, by faculty deliberative bodies in the schools or colleges, or when designating other officers of the University to exercise authority which the Board of Governors has delegated to the President.

3.2  Administrative Regulations.  The President will act by Administrative Regulation in prescribing procedures to be followed in conducting University business or in carrying out policies

4.0  Actions by the Academic Senate and the Graduate Council

4.1 The Academic Senate may formulate and review policy with respect to those matters within the scope of its authority and in the manner statutorily provided by the Board of Governors.  The President will be expected to secure the judgment of the Senate upon any proposed change in educational policy or any matter affecting faculty rights and responsibilities, except in those matters subject to collective bargaining, before taking formal action thereon.

4.2 To effect the Academic Senate's role in recommending policy within the scope of its authority, the Senate shall forward its proposals concurrently to the Office of the Provost and to the Office of the President within 14 calendar days of its action together with such statement of reasons as it may care to provide.

4.3 Actions of the Senate shall become University Policy when approved by the President acting within the scope of his/her authority.  The President shall confer with the Provost, and determine whether approval of an action taken by the Academic Senate requires decision by the Board of Governors and, if so, he/she shall transmit it to the Board with his/her recommendation for decision on the proposed Statute or other Senate action.

4.4 Where adoption by the Board of Governors is not required, the President may approve the policy by University Policy when such action falls within the scope of authority delegated to him/her by the Board of Governors.  The President shall advise the Board of Governors at its next regular meeting of University Policies approving policies proposed by the Academic Senate.

4.5 If the President disapproves an Academic Senate action, he/she shall either forward the action to the Board of Governors together with his/her reasons for disapproval or return it to the Senate with a recommendation for reconsideration.  After such reconsideration, if the President still disapproves the Senate's action, he/she shall forward that action to the Board of Governors, together with his/her reasons for disapproval.  In such an instance, the Senate, through representatives designated by it, may present its position to the Board.

4.6 The same procedure as set forth in Sections 4.2 - 4.5 will be followed in matters arising from the Graduate Council.

5.0 Actions by the Council of Deans

5.1 Acting in their role as advisors and chief academic officers of their respective schools and colleges, the Council of Deans may from time to time develop proposals for the adoption of policies related to the academic affairs of the University.

5.2 Policies recommended by the Council of Deans shall be forwarded to the Provost of the University.

5.3 If the Provost accepts the recommendation of the Council of Deans, and if the recommendation proposes a change in educational policy or any matter affecting faculty rights and responsibilities, except in those matters subject to collective bargaining, the Provost will refer the matter to the Academic Senate for its recommendation.

5.4 The Senate shall submit its recommendations to the Provost.  The Provost will submit the Senate's recommendation along with his/her recommendation to the Office of the President for review.  If the President accepts the recommendation, he/she may submit the recommendation to the Board of Governors, or where appropriate, approve the recommendation in the same manner as any other recommendation advanced by the Senate, or by schools and colleges.

5.5 If the Provost does not accept the recommendation of the Council of Deans, he/she shall either forward the action to the President together with his/her reasons for disapproval or return it to the Council with a recommendation for reconsideration.

6.0 Actions by Schools and Colleges

6.1 Acting through their duly constituted deliberative bodies, the faculties of the schools and colleges have the primary responsibility for developing policies on academic matters within their respective units.  To effect the faculty's role in recommending school and college educational policy, the duly constituted deliberative bodies shall forward their recommendations to the Dean.

6.2 The Dean shall forward these recommendations with his/her approval or disapproval to the Provost of the University.

6.3 The Provost shall determine whether the school or college recommendation significantly affects the interests of other units or the University as a whole.  In such instances, the Provost will refer the matter to the Academic Senate for its recommendation.

6.4 The Senate shall submit its recommendations to the Office of the Provost.  The Provost shall forward the Senate's recommendation and his/her own recommendation to the Office of the President for review.  If the President accepts the recommendation, he/she may submit the recommendation to the Board of Governors, or where appropriate, approve the recommendation in the same manner as any other recommendation advanced by the Senate, the Graduate Council or the Council of Deans.

6.5 When the Provost determines that a school or college recommendation does not significantly affect other units of the University or the University as a whole, he/she shall forward that recommendation, along with his/her own recommendation, to the President for submission to the Board of Governors or, where appropriate, for approval by the President in accordance with Section 3.1.

7.0  Policy-Making by Academic Departments or Equivalent Units

7.1 Academic departments or equivalent units shall not make policy, except under unusual circumstances in which school or college educational policy does not provide adequate guidance.

7.2  Policies recommended by academic departments or equivalent units shall be submitted to the appropriate faculty deliberative body of their school or college and shall then follow each step in the regular procedure for policy making by schools and colleges as set forth in Section 6.

7.3 Notwithstanding other subsections above, the statement of factors developed by departments, divisions, schools, or colleges with relation to promotion and tenure, pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement with the American Association of University Professors Wayne State University Chapter (AAUP), shall be approved by the dean of the appropriate school or college.  This procedure shall terminate at such time as the requirement of the AAUP contract shall cease to exist.

8.0  Administrative Procedures Established by Deans and Equivalent Officers

8.1 It is anticipated that Deans and equivalent officers will conduct the administrative affairs of their respective schools and colleges in accordance with University Policies and Administrative Regulations of the University.

8.2 If a Dean wishes to implement policies within his/her school or college by issuing supplemental administrative procedures that are not in conflict with policies detailed in the Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (APPM), he/she may do so.  A copy of such procedures will be submitted to the President or his/her designee.

9.0  Codification of University Policies

9.1 The authorized compilation of actions of the Board of Governors shall be maintained in the Office of the Board of Governors by the Secretary to the Board of Governors/Secretary of the University.

9.2 The official compilation of University Policies, including all policies approved by the President, shall be maintained in the Office of the President.

9.3 The official compilation of Administrative Regulations shall be the APPM.  The APPM shall be maintained in the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Business Operations or in such other office as the President may designate.

10.0 Transition

10.1  Actions of the Board of Governors shall continue to be published in the Proceedings of the Board.

10.2  All Executive Orders shall remain in effect until revoked by the President.  The President may revoke any University Policy or Executive Order at his/her sole discretion, with or without notice and with immediate or delayed effect. In the event that a University Policy revokes a previously issued Executive Order, the University Policy shall specify the Executive Order being revoked, and the effective date.

10.3 Executive Order 83-1 is revoked effective immediately.

 

 

 

Signed by President Irvin D. Reid June 1, 1999.