TEMPLATE FOR UNIVERSITY POLICY

Make sure the title is as concise and descriptive of policy content as possible. The title need not contain the word “policy”. Example: General Safety is preferable to General Safety Policy or Policy on General Safety.

Italicized instructions provided in this template are for guidance in policy creation and should be deleted as policy content is inserted.

Policy Statement

The policy statement should be a concise statement of the university’s intent regarding the topic of the policy and expectations regarding compliance with it. The policy statement should also communicate clearly how broadly the policy is to be applied.

Reason for Policy

This section should include the rationale for the policy. This section explains why the policy exists. Possible reasons include legal or regulatory requirements or setting behavioral expectations. If the policy is aligned with federal or state law, specific references are included in the Related Information section.

Who is Governed by this Policy

This section lists the groups within the university community, i.e., faculty, students, staff, that must be aware of and comply with the policy.

Table of Contents

Policy Statement

Reason for Policy

Who is Governed by this Policy

Table of Contents

Policy

Definitions

Procedures

Forms

Related Information

Contacts

Document History

Who Approved This Policy

Policy

The text of the policy should be entered here.

Definitions

This section should define any terms used in the policy that are important to compliance with it or that might be misunderstood. Defined terms are capitalized.

Procedures

Place links to associated procedures here.

Forms

Include links to any forms or templates related to this policy. Forms related to procedures should be linked directly from the procedures.

Related Information

List and link to layperson summaries, if possible, of applicable law or regulations. Links to other GW policies that affect this policy should be included. If no links are necessary, delete this section.

Contacts

This section should include the name, phone number and email address of one or more individuals who can answer questions about the policy.

Contact / Telephone / Email

Document History

This section must contain the following dates or placeholders for future dates:

  • Last Reviewed Date: Date
  • Last Revised Date: Date
  • Policy Origination Date: Date

Who Approved This Policy

This section should include the name and title of each Policy Approver.

This policy, as well as all university policies, are located on the Office of Compliance and Privacy’s home page.

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