University Policies

Policies are clear statements of how the University intends to conduct its actions and decisions. Policies provide the formal framework needed to coordinate and execute activity throughout the University as well as the operational framework within which the University functions. Policies are tools and assurance for the University to conduct business in a responsible manner under the highest ethical standards.

University Policies are policies that have institution-wide application throughout the University community (generally pertaining to more than one division or department). University Policies help to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, promote operational efficiencies, enhance the University’s mission, provide guidance and assistance to the University community and reduce institutional risk. An example of a University Policy is the Policy for University Policy Development.

Internal Departmental Policies are internal policies that do not have the broad scope or significant impact of University Policies, but instead apply to only a single division, unit or department. Internal Departmental Policies that apply to the operations of individual divisions, units or departments may not conflict with University Policies. Please submit an Internal Department Policy to the PAC, policyadvisory@arcadia.edu, if you believe that it should should become University Policy.

Procedures are guidelines or series of interrelated steps taken to help implement policies. Procedures outline specific methods for performing a task and describe how each policy will be carried out. An example of a University Procedure is the University Policy Development Procedure.

Policies are statements intended to influence and determine actions and decisions of the University, while procedures are guidelines or series of specific steps that describe how an action or decision should be carried out. Policies outline the formal framework for actions and decisions, while procedures outline the formal processes required to implement those actions and decisions. In other words, policies are “what” the University formally does, and procedures are “how” the University intends to carry out those formal policies.

Policies and procedures ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations; reduce institutional risk; provide consistency; and establish responsibilities and accountability. Policies and procedures may be needed to establish or defend a legal basis for action, provide clarification and guidance to the University community, identify how transactions are processed and/or identify how financial resources are expended.

The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) is a team that will assist with the review of, and provide input on, proposed University Policies and the revision of current University Policies. The PAC is comprised of seven members who will serve on an annual basis, including: (i) three presidential appointments, (ii) a staff member appointed by the Staff Council, (iii) a faculty member appointed by the Faculty Senate, (iv) a student representative appointed by the Student Government Organization, and (v) a chair from the Office of General Counsel. 

The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) will meet monthly and work in partnership with Policy Initiators and Vice Presidents to ensure that University Policies are aligned with the University’s mission and goals; are concise, consistent in format and scope and easy to understand; are properly vetted and posted for comment; and remain compliant as new and existing laws affecting them are established or amended.

No. The role of the PAC is to ensure that existing policies are kept up-to-date and accurate and that new policies are considered. The PAC does solicit new policies and guides you through the policy-making process while not unilaterally putting new policies into place.

University employees are represented on the committee through a representative for each division. Current PAC representatives can be found in the table above.

Details about the policy development process, including a relevant flow chart, can be viewed online. 

The standard university policy format is located on the Policy Template.

To ensure universal access, the University maintains University Policies in the Policy Library located on the University website with links to applicable procedures. The Arcadia University Policy Library is located here online.

The Policy Advisory Committee does not manage every policy that impacts members of the University community. For example, there are many policies that address one department, such as just faculty members or just students, which are not in the purview of the PAC. The policies managed by the PAC are those policies that have broad impact across the University as a whole. As a result, there are many policies that are not referenced on this site. If you have a policy that you are interested in implementing, you are encouraged to submit it to PAC, policyadvisory@arcadia.edu

Follow the format provided on the Policy Template.

Notice will be communicated to the University community via email as soon as a draft policy is posted for public review. The draft will remain posted for a period of ten days during which time the PAC will accept comments.

Any member of the Arcadia University community can comment on a new policy or changes to an existing policy. All comments submitted during public review are reviewed and considered.

At a minimum, University Policies are reviewed within three years of the date the policy goes into effect.

Submit your question(s) via phone or email to Lucy Glasson, Associate General Counsel, at 215-517-2324 or glassonl@arcadia.edu.