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 policy or unit-level standard?
What is the format for Purdue University system-wide policies and standards?
What are operating procedures?
How are new policies and standards developed?
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 and standards updated?
How is the university community notified about new or updated policies or standards?
Who approves policies and standards?
What is the role of the University Policy Office (UPO)?
What is the role of the University Policy Committee (UPC)?

Q1. What policies are posted on this site?

A1. Only current Purdue University system-wide policies and system-wide standards are posted on this site, which are those that have broad application throughout the Purdue University system. Links to sites that house campus- or unit-specific policies or standards are available on the Helpful Links page.

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Q2. How do I find a Purdue University system-wide policy?

A2. The easiest way to find a policy is to type a keyword into the search box located on the home page. You can also choose from the boxes on the home page for faculty, staff, students and visitors to see a list of policies relevant to that type of community member. If you still cannot find a policy, you may call the University Policy Office (UPO) at 49-69634 or send an email for assistance.

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Q3. How do I find a campus policy or unit-level standard?

A3. Use the Helpful Links page to find a list of common resource pages. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, contact the office or department responsible for the subject of the policy for assistance.

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Q4. What is the format for Purdue University system-wide policies and standards?

A4. System-wide policies and standards must adhere to a template. The Writing Guidelines page provides a link to each template and some additional tips for writing and formatting.

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Q5. What are operating procedures?

A5. An operating procedure is an established method to be used as a consistent approach to achieve a result. Operating procedures are no longer (as of April 2014) required to be contained within a system-wide policy. Instead, system-wide policies (and standards) provide links to applicable procedures, and they are maintained and made available by the responsible office.

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Q6. How are new policies and standards developed?

A6. Once the need for a system-wide policy or standard has been established, a responsible executive must sponsor the policy/standard and appoint a responsible office. The responsible office will draft the policy/standard with assistance from the UPO and input from key stakeholders. System-wide policies are reviewed by the UPC and presented to the EPRG for approval; system-wide standards are reviewed and approved by the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance. The UPO then posts approved system-wide policies/standards on this site.

• Read the policy on the Formulation and Issuance of Policies.
• Read the Operating Procedures for System-Wide Policies and System-Wide Standards.
• View flowcharts of the processes.

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Q7. How do I know if a policy was recently updated?

A7. You may view the list of new and recently revised system-wide policies and standards for any that were effective within the last six to eight months. All system-wide policies and standards also include a "Date Last Revised” in the header and a listing of changes in the history and updates section.

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Q8. If I need further clarification on a policy, whom should I contact?

A8. Each policy has a contacts section. Use the policy's table of contents to quickly jump to that section.

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Q9. How and when are policies and standards updated?

A9. System-wide policies/standards are updated as needed, and an administrative review is conducted by the responsible executive at least every five years. Changes to the substance of a system-wide policy are presented to the EPRG for approval. Updates to the policy/standard are noted in its history section.

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Q10. How is the university community notified about new or updated policies or standards?

A10. The UPO will send notification about new or revised system-wide policies/standards through an announcement in Purdue Today and/or on the New and Recently Revised Policies page of this site. Further communication or training will be done by the responsible office.

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Q11. Who approves policies and standards?

A11. The Executive Policy Review Group (EPRG) approves all new system-wide 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. System-wide standards are approved by the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance. Campus policies must be shared with the EPRG prior to their approval and issuance. All other supporting documents must be approved by the responsible executive or responsible office.

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Q12. What is the role of the University Policy Office (UPO)?

A12. The UPO assists responsible executives and offices in the development, revision and approval stages of policies and supportiing documents, which includes editing drafts and ensuring compliance with templates. The UPO is also responsible for maintaining the templates, posting current system-wide policies/standards on this site and archiving outdated policies/standards.

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Q13. What is the role of the University Policy Committee (UPC)?

A13. UPC members are tasked with reviewing and commenting on proposed, new or significantly revised system-wide policies during their development. Members are also tasked with communicating the issuance of new or significantly revised system-wide policies and standards to their constituent areas upon notification by the UPO. Membership of the UPC is made up of stakeholder units across the University system, including APSAC, CSSAC, faculty, human resources, business services, information technology and student affairs.

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