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FAQ

What is a policy at the College?

A policy advances our academic mission as an institution of higher education by helping to ensure compliance with applicable laws, ethical norms, and accepted best practices; promoting operational efficiencies; and enhancing the opportunities to achieve the College’s goals and reducing institutional risks. Policies are classified as “Board of Trustees Policies”, “College Operating Policies” or “Unit Policies.” Definitions for those terms have been excerpted from The College of New Jersey Policy Framework and presented below.

What is a Board of Trustees Policy?

“Board of Trustees Policies are issued by the Board in accordance with applicable New Jersey law and the Bylaws of the Board. They include policies that relate to the organization, administration, and development of the College as a whole and overarching rules, regulations and orders issued by the Board that are necessary and proper for the administration and operation of the College. They establish fundamental principles as a basis and guide for mandating or constraining action by College administrators, employees, students, and other members of the College community.” (Policy Framework)

What is a College Operating Policy?

“College Operating Policies are issued by the President for the executive management and conduct of the College in all Units and for the execution and enforcement of the Bylaws, rules, regulations and orders governing the management, conduct and administration of the College in accordance with applicable law and consistent with Board of Trustees Policies and delegations of authority.” (Policy Framework)

What is a Unit Policy?

“Unit Policies generally do not have the broad scope or significant impact of College Operating Policies, but instead may apply to only a single or several units and are established by or for that or those unit(s).” (Policy Framework)

What is a Unit?

“Units are formally recognized portions of the College that may include: schools, departments, divisions, offices, centers, programs, or other administrative units at the College.” (Policy Framework)

What is a procedure?

“Procedures are occasionally incorporated in policies when the procedures help define the nature of the policy. More often, procedures, rules, protocols, directives and guidelines regarding policies need to be part of the implementation process and are developed and refined by College officers and administrators.” (Policy Framework)

For some policies, PolicyStat may include in the policy itself hyperlinks to procedures, which may also appear on departmental web sites.

What is the difference between a policy and a procedure?

Generally, policies are documents that govern actions and behavior by telling us what is or is not permitted/required. Procedures help to implement policies by explaining how to do things required by the policies.

Who approves policies at the College?

Policies are approved by the Board of Trustees, the President or, for Unit Policies, other authorized individuals.

What kinds of topics do TCNJ policies cover?

TCNJ policies cover a wide variety of topics. Examples of the types of policies that are included on PolicyStat are College admissions policies, a policy prohibiting discrimination, and the student conduct policy.

How are policies and procedures organized or classified?

Each policy is assigned a number in PolicyStat (e.g., 12676011 – Policy Framework). The policies are organized according to the owner of the policy and the area responsible for overseeing the policy.

What is the standard college policy format?

A policy format has been developed by the Compliance Office. If you wish to develop a policy, please contact the responsible unit for assistance. All administrative policies will be written using the format provided by the Compliance Office. By standardizing the way that policies are presented to the reader, the College hopes to make policies easier to read and understand. You may email the Compliance Office at comply@tcnj.edu for a sample format.

Who is responsible for drafting a policy?

The office responsible for managing the policy is responsible for drafting or overseeing the drafting of the policy.

Who is responsible for the management of the policies?

Each individual department is responsible for drafting and updating its own policies and submitting any new or updated policy to the Compliance Office for inclusion on PolicyStat. The Board of Trustees has assigned responsibility for “the maintenance and organization of policies” to the Office of General Counsel, which carries out its duties (including the oversight of PolicyStat) through the Compliance Office.

Who has access to the policies?

Anyone with access to the internet may access the College’s policies.

How do I find a policy?

Specific policies may be found in a number of ways. Options include:

  • Enter a keyword in the Search box,
  • Search by PolicyStat ID,
  • Browse the full alphabetical list of policies, or
  • Browse by area

If you still need assistance, you may contact the Director of Compliance at 609-771-3237 or comply@tcnj.edu

Can I make suggestions to improve a policy that has already been issued?

Any suggestions to improve a policy may be directed to the responsible unit for that policy.

Who do I call if I have a question on a policy?

Each policy lists a responsible unit. If you have any questions about a policy, please contact the responsible unit listed on the policy header. You may also contact the Compliance Office.

What is governance and how does it relate to policy?

The College-wide Governance System, as approved by the Board of Trustees (the Governance Structure and Processes document), is an internal process at the College level that “exists to give designated stakeholder groups opportunities to work cooperatively to make thoughtful, appropriate, and timely recommendations to the administration on issues related to policy, procedure, and program in support of the mission of the College.” This governance process “is designed to promote efficiency and facilitate the work of the College in achieving institutional mission and goals.”

Is there a Policy on Policies?

Recognizing the need for a framework that defines various types of policies; delegates authority to issue policies; and generally provides for the implementation and oversight of and compliance with policies at the College, the Board of Trustees approved the Policy Framework (sometimes called the “Policy on Policies”). The Policy Framework delineates Board of Trustees Policies, College Operating Policies, Unit Policies and Interim Policies. It covers policy development and issuance as well as areas of responsibility.

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