The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Australasian University Policy Websites

1. Brigid Freeman Manager, Policy and Delegations University of Tasmania The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Australasian University Policy Websites

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

5. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Research Approach • University Policy Frameworks • University Policy on Policy • University Policy Websites • University Policy Repositories • University Policy Toolkits • 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Policy Nomenclature • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

12. 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

13. University Policy Framework

14. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice University Policy Development Cycle Stages • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

15. 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

16. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • OSCAR Winner … • Policy Framework / Policy on Policy • University of Wollongong • Standard on UOW Policy and Procedure for the Development and Management of UOW Policy (http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/UOW058645.html) • SPECIAL MENTIONS • Victoria University of Wellington • Policy Documentation Development Information (http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/policy/default.aspx) • Swinburne University of Technology • Policy Framework, Policy and Procedure Development and Management • (http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/framework.htm) • University of Adelaide • University Policy Framework (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/604/) he National University Administration Policy • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

17. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice Policy Websites • Different functions - University Policy Repository, University Policy Framework, University Policy Cycle • University Policy Repository = ‘authoritative source’ • Policy on other University webpages • Introduction of new University Policy Frameworks impacts on navigability of Policy Websites • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

18. 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

19. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice he National University Administration Policy • 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/) • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

20. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Plagiarism Policy • Mature policy area • Statements of principle widely dispersed across governance and policy instruments • Policy provisions close to high level governance instruments dealing with student misconduct • 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

21. 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

22. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Skeleton Plagiarism Policy • Educative, non-legalistic terms • Define plagiarism • Outline staff and student responsibilities • Procedures for educating students about good academic practice • Fair, consistent, transparent procedures for investigating and assessing suspected cases of plagiarism • Differential treatments (naïve/intentional; formative/summative) and differential consequent approaches • Central Register • Position on software (Turnitin, MOSS) • NZ universities – Resolution processes in keeping with Treaty • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

23. 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

24. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Environment Policy – Minimalist Approach • Comply with legislative and regulatory requirements • Comply with ethical environmental obligations (locally and globally) • Implement ‘best practice’ (generally non-specified) environmental sustainability-related management approaches and initiatives • Undertake environmental sustainability focussed teaching and research he National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

25. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Environment Policy – Emerging Policy Provisions • Introduce Environmental Management System • Develop an Environmental Management Plan (detailing principles, targets and initiatives) • Establish an Environment Committee • Promote environmental awareness and community outreach • Minimise environmental risk(s) he National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

26. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Skeleton Environment Policy • Sustainable management of the University’s natural environment • Sustainable management of the University’s developed environment • Sustainable management of natural resources • Relevant Teaching and Research • Environmental emergency provision (i.e. pollution) • Interdependence of physical / cultural environment • (NZ) Application of Treaty provisions he National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

27. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice he National University Administration Policy • 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 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

28. 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

29. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Skeleton Leave Without Pay Policy • Compliance • Purposes for LWOP • Eligibility and assessment criteria • Time limits • Approval authorities • Implications for other entitlements • Superannuation arrangements • Responsibilities • Application procedure he National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

30. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice he National University Administration Policy • 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 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

31. 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

32. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice he National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 • Credit Policy Development Influences • Universities Australia / AVCC credit transfer documentation • Codes of Practice • VET developments - RTOs, AQF and AQTF • National and international qualification recognition services • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

33. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • Credit Policies Themes • Portability and articulation (VET  HE) • Inter-sectoral linkages and collaboration (between unis; across sectors RTO  TAFE  HE; within dual-sector institutions) • Increasing recognition of various modes of learning (informal and formal) • Efficiencies in education and training system • Qualification and institutional integrity • Equity mechanism. he National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

34. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice he National University Administration Policy • 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 • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

35. The Policy Oscars: In Search of Best Practice • University Policy Management • University Policy Framework (in the Policy on Policy) • Clarity regarding policy approval pathways • Policy approval authorities = provisions of university legislation, delegations and Policy on Policy • Clarification regarding policy cycle • Incorporation of quality assurance stages • Tools and resources (e.g. Policy Toolkit) • Searchable, central Policy Repository • Meaningful consultation and communication • Change management • Policy implementation monitoring and evaluation • Transparent policy review mechanisms he National University Administration Policy • Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

36. 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