The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Australasian Policy Websites
1. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Australasian University Policy Websites Brigid Freeman Manager, Policy and Delegations University of Tasmania The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
2. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Objectives Examine the state of policy and policy development in Australasian universities as reflected through university websites Identify good practice exemplars and features Identify quality resources supporting the university policy development cycle Establish models for university policy management. Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
3. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Sample 13 universities spanning all Australian States and Territories (except Tasmania) 3 universities from New Zealand (north & south island) ‘Sandstone’ and ‘red-brick’ universities Research-intensive universities (including five Go8 universities) Single (HE) and dual-sector universities (HE / VET) Metropolitan and regional universities One private university (Bond University). Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
4. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice University of Queensland Charles Darwin University Bond University University of New South Wales University of Technology, Sydney Charles Sturt University University of Wollongong Australian National University Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University Swinburne University of Technology University of Adelaide University of Western Australia Edith Cowan University Auckland University of Technology Otago University Victoria University of Wellington Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
10. Core sample of four policies: Credit Policy, Plagiarism Policy, Environmental Sustainability Policy and Leave Without Pay Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
11. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Towards a definition of University Policy Framework The University of Wollongong’s Standard on UOW Policy aims to: “establish a defined, clear, identifiable, consistent and enforceable system for the development, approval, implementation and review of policies … (and) provide a mechanism to ensure that policies are compliant with the strategic direction of the University and with relevant legislation”. Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
12. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice University Policy Framework defines University ‘policy’ Range of policy instruments (e.g. Policy, Procedure, Guideline) Approval Authorities for all policy instruments (e.g. Council, Vice-Chancellor, Senior Executive) Policy development cycle stages Application of policy instruments (i.e. university-wide and/or section-specific or local) Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
13. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Without an effective University Policy Framework “Policy can be accessed through multiple websites … There is no standard policy development process … Compliance is more difficult to achieve … Approval paths are unclear and difficult to ascertain … Implementation is usually not considered during development … Obsolete and out of date policy (is) not managed through a policy review cycle.” Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
14. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice What is Policy? Mandatory or non-discretionary … Statements of intent or principle … Guiding or establishing … Conduct, practice, strategic direction, action, operations, obligations and/or decision-making Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
15. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Governance Documents University legislation University By-Laws Statutes Rules Regulations and Orders Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
16. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Policy Nomenclature Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
17. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Policy Approval Authorities Council Council and/or Vice-Chancellor Council and/or Vice-Chancellor and/or Senior Executive (member or committee) In a small number of instances Academic Board/Senate Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
19. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice University Policy Development Cycle Stages Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
20. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice he National University Administration Policy UNIVERSITY POLICY DEVELOPMENT CYCLE Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
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24. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Skeleton Policy Website Policy Framework Policy on Policy Policy Repository Policy Toolkit Policy News Records Management Legislation & Governance Delegations of Authority Codes of Conduct and Charters University Plans and University Committees Agreements Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
25. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice OSCAR Winner … Policy Website Australian National University(http://policies.anu.edu.au/) SPECIAL MENTION University of Adelaide(http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/) University of Wollongong(http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/) he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
28. Policy provisions close to high level governance instruments dealing with student misconduct
29. Most use legalistic language of discipline like ….. ‘Justice’, ‘Allegation ‘, ‘Offence’, ‘Plea’, ‘Hearing’, ‘Witnesses’, ‘Evidence’, ‘Transcript’, ‘Proceedings’, ‘Proof’, ‘Guilty’, ‘Offence’, ‘Discipline’, ‘Reprimand’, ‘Penalties’, ‘Fine’, ‘Enforcement’, ‘Suspension’, ‘Expulsion’ he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
30. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Punitive or Educative? “University rules, policies and guidelines tend to focus on the punitive aspects of procedures rather than the educative and often fail to articulate to students why the conventions of citing and referencing are an integral part of developing scholarly writing skills, and why plagiarism is considered a serious offence in the academic environment”. University of Adelaide, Plagiarism Policy, p7 he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
39. NZ universities – Resolution processes in keeping with TreatyBrigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
40. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice OSCAR Winner … Plagiarism Policy University of Queensland Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy and Procedures for Dealing with Student Discipline and Misconduct Matters http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/?page=25128 SPECIAL MENTION University of Adelaide Plagiarism Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230) and University of Western Australia Guidelines for Faculties and Other Teaching and Supervision Sections at UWA: Ethical Scholarship, Academic Literacy and Academic Misconduct (http://www.teachingandlearning.uwa.edu.au/staffnet/policies/conduct) he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
44. Undertake environmental sustainability focussed teaching and research Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
56. (NZ) Application of Treaty provisionsBrigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
57. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice OSCAR Winner … Environment Policy Victorian University of Wellington Environmental Policy and Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Guidelines http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/policy/facilities.aspx#environment he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
58. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Leave Without Pay Policy Leave Without Pay Policy or Leave Policy Presentation: Manual or Policy Language shaping culture: “The University recognises that the abilities of its … staff should be made available for the benefit of the community ... “ (UNSW) Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
67. Application procedurehe National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
68. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice OSCAR Winner … Leave Without Pay Policy University of Technology Sydney Leave Without Pay Guidelines http://www.hru.uts.edu.au/manual/4cond/conditions.html#4.6 he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
69. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Credit Policy Credit, Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy Mature ‘gatekeeper’ policy Conservative progressive Linked to Admissions, Enrolment and Assessment Policy Framed by legislation Supported by Faculty/local policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
73. National and international qualification recognition servicesBrigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
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75. Inter-sectoral linkages and collaboration (between unis; across sectors RTO TAFE HE; within dual-sector institutions)
79. Equity mechanism. Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
80. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Joint OSCAR Winners … Credit / RPL Policy Swinburne University of Technology http://policies.swinburne.edu.au/ppdonline/Default.aspx Edith Cowan University http://www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/policies_db/policies_view.php?rec_id=0000000268 he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
91. Transparent policy review mechanisms he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
92. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice The Policy Oscars: Best Practice Identified Best Policy Framework University of Wollongong Best Policy Website ANU Best Plagiarism Policy University of Queensland Best Environment Policy Victorian University of Wellington Best LWOP Policy University of Technology Sydney Best Credit Policy Swinburne University & Edith Cowan University he National University Administration Policy Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010
