Policy Development Process

Policy development and implementation follow defined business processes at Colorado State University-Pueblo. For academic policies and those relating to faculty affairs, refer to the Faculty Handbook or contact the Faculty Senate. Policies contained in the Faculty Handbook and those contained in the Administrative Professional Handbook are approved by the Board of Governors and may not be modified or superseded without Board approval. For other policies, development, approval and implementation are accomplished following the process described below.

Phase 1: Proposal, Development and Approval

Step 1: The Proposal

• The Proponent may be any campus unit or constituent with an interest in changing university policy. At least one member of the President's Cabinet who supports the proposal must serve as Executive Sponsor.
• The Proponent notifies the Office of General Counsel (OGC)/Office of Policy Administration (PA) of the desire to propose a new policy or revise a current policy.
• The Proponent works with OGC/PA to draft a Policy Proposal/Impact Statement ("proposal"). The proposal provides background and justification for the proposed policy, plus an analysis of the impacts that the new or revised policy will have on the campus community and the resources required to adopt, implement, monitor and enforce it.
• A Policy Owner is assigned. Usually this is the same as the Proponent, but not always. The Policy Owner is the department or official who will be responsible for implementation, monitoring, enforcement, and updating throughout the life of the policy.

The Executive Sponsor presents the proposal to the President's Cabinet. Cabinet may require further information, may determine that the policy proposal should not be advanced, or may approve the proposal to move forward for policy development.

Step 2: Development Stage

Research, Draft and Edit

• OGC/AP and the Proponent/Policy Owner(s) work together throughout the entire drafting and editing process. Oftentimes, a policy working group will be formed with representatives of stakeholder groups and subject matter experts.
• OGC/AP will research the laws, regulations and existing policies that impact the proposed measure and will assist in drafting the policy document.
• After initial legal review by OGC, the draft will then be presented to the stakeholder for any input.

This is conducted by filling out a policy proposal/impact statement cover sheet. This form can be found here or under forms on the left side of this page.

Stakeholder Input

• University stakeholder input is sought during this stage. Stakeholders include anyone identified in the proposal/impact statement, as well as anyone that may have been identified by the Cabinet as a stakeholder whose review and comment is required.
• The proposal and the policy draft are posted to the “Policies Under Development” page on the OGC website, open to the public for anyone to review and submit comments.
• If significant changes result from stakeholder or other input, we will review the changes with the stakeholders, the Executive Sponsor, and OGC/PA as appropriate

Step 3: Approval

• The final policy document is presented to Cabinet by the Executive Sponsor. If Cabinet approves it, a recommendation will be made to the President to adopt the policy.
• If necessary, the Cabinet may also request changes or additional information before making its recommendations.
• The President may approve the policy. His signature constitutes approval of the policy

Phase 2: Implementation

1. First the new/revised policy will be announced to the campus community.
2. The guideline, procedures and all necessary forms will be developed that are required to implement the policy.
3. The campus will be trained on the processes for enforcing, monitoring and reporting as required for compliance.

Step 1: Communicate

• The Proponent is responsible for informing the campus about the newly adopted policy. A communications plan is usually recommended. OGC/PA may assist as requested.
• The policy is published in the Policy Library which can be found here.

Step 2: Develop

• Develop guidelines and procedures to implement the policy.
• Create forms that are necessary within the standards of the policy.
• Establish internal controls

Step 3: Educate

• If necessary, training should be offered to campus constituents who are expected to enforce or comply with the policy.
• OGC/PA, along with the responsible department, other units such as Training & Organizational Development, may assist

Phase 3: Monitoring and Enforcement

• After implementation, it may be necessary to monitor compliance with the policy and note any problems that arise as a result of its implementation. This is primarily the responsibility of the Proponent, though other compliance officials may be involved.
• The policy is enforced through the "internal controls" identified in the proposal and policy documents.
• Campus units must comply with any reporting requirements contained in the policy. Internal Audit, Business & Financial Services, or other units may be charged with responsibility to periodically audit compliance.

Final Phase: Review

• Policies change over time. Changes to laws and regulations, best practices, and the campus community must be considered periodically.
• OGC/PA will remind Policy Owners of their responsibilities to review policies in their areas on a periodic basis (usually 1, 2 or 3 years).
• The Policy Owner is responsible for periodically reviewing the policy. Any changes will be handled in the same way as a new policy; often they can be fast-tracked.

Process for reviewing EXISTING policies:

• Sometimes, a revision of an existing policy doesn’t warrant the use of resources for the full development, approval and communications processes that otherwise would apply.
• The Executive Sponsor and the VP of the area must agree on using the fast track method.
• Signature authority is delegated by the President to the appropriate VP.
• All post-adoption steps are the same, including publication of the policy in the Policy Library.