Introduction - Policy Statement on Handbook of University Policies and Procedures
1. Preamble
1.1 The University is committed to the provision of efficient and effective administrative support to serve the needs of the whole University. This commitment is given effect in the Handbook of University Policies and Procedures. The Handbook is considered to be a definitive reference source on the University's operations for all staff and clients.
2. Scope of the Handbook
2.1 The Handbook contains policies, guidelines and procedures on a variety of management, administrative, academic, personnel, technical and physical facilities issues that have been approved by the Senate for University-wide application. The policies contained in the Handbook have a long-term rather than transient application, although will naturally be subject to regular review and update.
2.2 The Handbook does not deal with financial policies and procedures, which are published in the Financial Management Practice Manual by Business Services Division, nor does it include individual faculty policies, guidelines or procedures, which are to be found in faculty publications.
3. Approval of Policies to be included in the Handbook
3.1 University policies may be developed by individual officers, committees or working parties, and will generally involve consultation with relevant stakeholders (for example, Executive Deans, faculties, departments, the staff and student unions). Policies approved by Senate are binding on all relevant University staff and students. Such policies, having University-wide and long-term application, qualify for inclusion in the Handbook.
3.2 Policies that are approved by other committees or officers will not usually qualify for inclusion in the Handbook because the element of obligation that attaches to approval at the most senior level is missing.
3.3 Matters requiring approval by Senate should be forwarded to the Secretary to Senate (Executive Director [Operations] and University Secretary). Matters requiring approval by Senate on the recommendation of the Academic Board or the Vice-Chancellor should be forwarded to the Secretary to Academic Board (Academic Registrar) or the Executive Director (Operations) and University Secretary, respectively, for referral.
3.4 Senate has delegated to the Executive Director (Operations) and University Secretary authority to approve minor administrative amendments to the Handbook of University Policies and Procedures. Minor administrative amendments are defined as those which are required to ensure the currency of policies and procedures but which do not affect the basic thrust of the policy.