Carnegie Mellon University

Policy Content Checklist

The chart below identifies the categories and information that must be included in drafts of proposed Policies, and provides a brief explanation for each section. This ensures consistency among Policies and increases clarity and uniformity of information.

To submit a Policy proposal, please complete the University Policy Content Template [docx] and send it to the University Policy Office. If you have questions about any items in the template, please contact the University Policy Office for clarification before submitting.

Policy Title  Official title of Policy
Policy Owner 

The university official charged with the overall responsibility for creating, implementing, and updating university Policies in his/her area of jurisdiction. Typically, the office of the president, provost, or a vice president.

Responsible Office 

The office charged with the responsibility for creating, implementing, and updating a university Policy at the direction of the Policy owner.

Contact Information Indicate the university office(s) that can answer specific questions regarding the Policy.
Pertinent Dates Date the Policy went into effect and when it was last revised. (Policy Office will add.)
Approved By

The university officer and/or officials who approve(s) a university Policy. This will be the president or the Board of Trustees. (Policy Office will add.)

Entities Affected by this Policy 

Specify those impacted by your Policy.

Who Needs to Know about this Policy 

A brief statement should be provided indicating who should observe the Policy, who may be affected by the Policy, and/or who should understand the Policy in order to perform his/her job.

Definitions

Provide glossary to define terms that may be unfamiliar or have a specialized meaning in the Policy.

Forms/Instructions

List forms the reader must use to comply with the Policy with an explanation of the purpose of each form, and a hyperlink to the applicable form(s), if available. If this is a new form, please provide to Policy Office for review.

Related Information

Other items or Policies, if any, which are relevant to the Policy that the reader should be familiar with.

Reason for Policy/Purpose

State the primary purposes of the Policy (e.g., the problem or conflict the Policy addresses; legal or regulatory compliance reasons for the Policy).

Abstract

Provide a very brief overview of the Policy.

Policy Statement

This is the main section of the Policy, beginning with a concise statement of the university's position on the subject matter and may state who should follow the Policy, when the Policy applies, and list any major conditions or restrictions. The text of the Policy should describe applicable procedures and the means by which the Policy is implemented or enforced. Language should be clear and concise and contain sufficient information on the subject without being excessive in length.