OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS of POLICY and PROCEDURE

A starting point for discussion

prepared by Craig Turner  03-13-07

POLICY DEFINITION DRAFT 3 from ECUS on 11-14-06 (endorsed by USBGCC on 11-15-06)

A policy is a statement of record that governs the conduct of the university community and/or embodies a general principle that guides university affairs.

Informal definition of procedure:  the means by which we implement policy

(i.e. policy and procedure are corequisites of one another, hard to have one without the other)

Axioms/Guidelines: An operational definition of procedure

·        indicates procedure is expressed in writing and not oral tradition

·        is a means to an end; method, sequence of steps

·        has as its purpose the implementation of policy

·        is established and accessible

·        the mandatory/compulsory/obligatory/required nature of compliance

Procedure (DRAFT operational definitions for use by GCSU University Senate)

Version 1:  A procedure is the process by which a policy is implemented.

Version 2:  A procedure is an articulation in writing of the formal method by which university affairs are conducted.

Version 3:  A procedure is an accessible written articulation of the formal method established to implement a policy.

Version 4:  A procedure is an accessible written articulation of the formal method required to implement a policy.

Virginia Commonwealth University:

Procedures are defined, mandatory series of steps established to accomplish a particular policy.

Guidelines suggest how policies should be accomplished and represent the recommended course of action.

References

Procedure (Black's Law Dictionary)

• The mode of proceeding by which a legal right is enforced, as distinguished from the law which gives or defines the right, and which, by means of the proceeding, the court is to administer; the machinery as distinguished from its product.
• That which regulates the formal steps in an action or other judicial proceeding, a form, manner and order of conducting suits or prosecutions.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Main Entry: pro·ce·dure  Function: noun

1 :  one or more methods or steps for the enforcement or administration of rights, duties, justice, or laws

2 :  a particular and esp. established way of doing something <a medical procedure> <security procedures>

American Heritage Dictionary - pro·ce·dure    n.

1.      A manner of proceeding; a way of performing or effecting something: standard procedure.

2.      A series of steps taken to accomplish an end: a medical procedure; evacuation procedures.

3.      A set of established forms or methods for conducting the affairs of an organized body such as a business, club, or government.

4.      Computer Science A set of instructions that performs a specific task; a subroutine or function.

Virginia Commonwealth University:

Guidelines suggest how policies should be accomplished and represent the recommended course of action.

Various Dictionaries:

1. any guide or indication of a future course of action:

2. a statement or other indication of policy or procedure by which to determine a course of action

3. a detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action;

4.  a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior:

Various Dictionaries:

1. habitual or customary performance; operation:

2. a customary way of operation or behavior; "it is their practice to give annual raises"

3.1.Law. the established method of conducting legal proceedings.

3.2 Law: the form and manner of conducting judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings
3.3 Law a: the continuous exercise of a profession; also : the performance of services that are considered to require an appropriate license <engaged in the unauthorized practice of law> b : a professional business

Various Dictionaries:

1.  an object or document produced in court as part of the evidence

2.  .an object or statement produced before a court of law and referred to while giving evidence 

3.  Law. to submit (a document, object, etc.) in evidence in a court of law. 

Various Dictionaries:

1.      a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group.

2.      A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the U.S. Congress.

3.      Law a formal expression of opinion, will, or intention voted by an official body (as a legislature) or assembled group —see also CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, JOINT RESOLUTION

4.      Law an expression or document containing authorization usually by a corporate board of directors of a particular act, transaction, agent, or representative <a corporate resolution authorizing counsel to bind the corporation to a settlement>

Various Dictionaries:

1.  a matter that engages a person's attention, interest, or care, or that affects a person's welfare or happiness

Various Dictionaries:

1.  a message received and understood 

2.  a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn; "statistical data" [syn: data] 

3.  knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction