Here are policy highlights from the past few months. Additional changes can be found at the Policy Library (www.policy.umn.edu), under the Recently Updated Policies link on the left navigation bar.
39 Education Policies!
The Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, along with the Senate Committee on Educational Policy, is pleased to announce the publishing of 39 revised or new education policies for the campuses of Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities. The culmination of more than a year’s worth of meetings, chaired by Dr. Cathy Wambach, has resulted in crisp, consistent, and clear policies for students, faculty, and others.
- Where can I find the policies?
All 39 policies are located under Education, in the Education and Student Life category on the Policy Homepage (http://policy.umn.edu). The policies are published using the standard format used for all administrative policies.
- How can I help?
Glad you asked! First, now would be a good time to replace your existing bookmarks to point to the newly revised policies.
Second, we would appreciate assistance in communicating this good news, such as including this topic (and the URL) in an upcoming faculty or staff meeting.
Customer Feedback
 Activity at the University never ends, and it seems the same is true for administrative policies. We currently have one policy undergoing the 30-day public review and comment period. Feedback received from the University community will be considered prior to the policy change going into effect. The policy may be found at http://policy.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/index/policiesreview.cfm.
- Use of the University's Trademarks, Logos, Colors, and Seal
The Board of Regents adopted a work plan goal to enhance the University’s brand management. Developing and requiring University-wide standards for both paper and web materials across all departments, colleges, and campuses strengthen the University’s single entity. This change will also reduce overall design and maintenance costs resulting from numerous units within the University creating separate brands and logos.
Other noteworthy changes in administrative policy for the quarter:
- Vacation Leave for Faculty and Academic Professional and Administrative Employees
The approved change accelerates the payout of unused vacation days for individuals whose appointment changes to a vacation-ineligible position (less than 67% time). Currently the vacation days are paid when the employee terminates from the University, and in the future the vacation balance would be paid at the point of the position change.
- Early Termination of Appointment for Academic Professional and Administrative Employees
The revised language complies with the IRS change in regulations. Salary payments in a severance agreement currently include a 13% lump sum for the retirement contribution, on a pre-tax basis. The change in regulations will no longer allow this lump sum to be a pre-tax contribution. (Note: this change will be reflected early next week).
- Military, Court Appearances, or Civic Duty Leaves
Complies with federal parameters of re-employment rights for employees who serve in the military. Specifies the length of time during which an employee may not be discharged without cause, based on the length of military time served.
- Housing: Temporary Option for Eligible Academic Employees –
This policy is being moved from a University-wide administrative policy to a local policy administered by Housing and Residential Life.
- Reporting Workers Compensation Related Injuries
The policy has been streamlined to ensure the early reporting of claims by simplifying the reporting process for both the employee and supervisor and providing enhanced workers compensation resource information. The number of required forms has been reduced from 5 to 2.
- Tailgating on Football Game Days: Twin Cities
The 30-day public comment review period has concluded and the feedback received is being reviewed. The final policy will be published shortly.
Now Where Did I Put that Policy?
When you visit the policy home page you will notice some organizational changes. Most specifically:
- A new category for education and student life policies. These were previously located on the Senate Home Page or included under the Academic/Research category.
- Research policies are under their own category now.
- We’ve eliminated one index page. If navigating through categories (example: Financial), you’ll be able to see the full list of policies and procedures. If you know that the policy you want is related to Procurement and Payment, the menu at the top of the page will allow you to jump to that section.
We welcome any suggestions or comments on these changes or the website in general. Feel free to email us at policy@umn.edu.
Be sure to bookmark the Policy Library at www.policy.umn.edu (or policy.umn.edu.)
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