Frequently Asked Questions
What policies are posted on this site?
How do I find a Purdue University system-wide policy?
How do I find a campus or unit-level policy?
What is the standard format for Purdue University system-wide policies?
What are procedures?
How are new policies developed?
What is the role of the University Policy Office (UPO)?
How do I know if a policy was recently updated?
If I need further clarification on a policy, whom should I contact?
How and when are policies updated?
How is the university community notified about new or updated policies?
Who approves policies?
Q1. What policies are posted on this site?
A1. Only current Purdue University system-wide policies are posted on this site, which are those that have broad application throughout the Purdue University system. Links to sites that house campus-specific or archived policies are available on the Helpful Links page.
Q2. How do I find a Purdue University system-wide policy?
A2. The easiest way to find a policy is to search by keyword in the search box located on the left-hand side of each page. Additional options for finding a policy are described on the Find a Policy page.
If you still cannot find a policy, you may call the University Policy Office (UPO) at 49-46373 or send an email for assistance.
Q3. How do I find a campus or unit-level policy?
A3. Use the Helpful Links page to find a list of common policy resource pages. If you are unable to find a campus or unit-level policy, contact the office or department responsible for the subject of the policy for assistance.
Q4. What is the standard format for Purdue University system-wide policies?
A4. System-wide policies must adhere to a standard policy template. The Writing Guidelines page provides a link to the template and some additional tips for writing and formatting policies.
A5. Procedures are steps taken to comply with a policy. Each system-wide policy is required to have at least some basic high-level procedures.
Q6. How are new policies developed?
A6. Once a need for a policy has been established, a responsible executive must sponsor a proposal of the policy to the Executive Policy Review Group (EPRG). Upon approval from the EPRG, the responsible office will draft the policy with assistance from the UPO and input from key stakeholders, and the responsible executive will present the policy to the EPRG for approval. The UPO then posts the approved policy on this site.
- Read the policy on the Formulation and Issuance of System-Wide Policies.
- View a diagram of the process.
Q7. What is the role of the University Policy Office (UPO)?
A7. The UPO assists responsible executives and offices in the development, revision and approval stages of policies, which includes editing the draft and ensuring it complies with the standard policy template. The UPO is also responsible for maintaining the policy templates, posting current policies on this site and archiving outdated policies.
Q8. How do I know if a policy was recently updated?
A8. Recently updated policies are listed on the University Policies home page. All policies also include a “Date Last Revised” in the header.
Q9. If I need further clarification on a policy, whom should I contact?
A9. Each policy has a contacts section. Use the policy’s table of contents to quickly jump to that section.
Q10. How and when are policies updated?
A10. Policies are updated as needed, and a complete policy review is conducted by the responsible executive at least every five years. Changes to the substance of a policy are presented to the EPRG for approval. Updates to the policy are noted in its history section.
Q11. How is the university community notified about new or updated policies?
A11. The UPO will send notification about new or revised policies through an announcement in Purdue Today and/or on the home page of this site. Further communication or training will be done by the policy’s responsible office.
A12. The Executive Policy Review Group (EPRG) approves all new policies and substantive revisions to existing policies. In some cases the EPRG recommends approval of a policy to the President and/or Board of Trustees. A list of EPRG members can be found on the EPRG page.