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Create or Revise a Policy

There are two paths to policy development, both are described below. The standard policy development process guides the creation and substantial revisions of university policies. The non-substantial revision process is used for minor edits and general maintenance.

The University Compliance team provides guidance and coordination throughout policy creation and revisions.

New or Substantial Revision process 

Workflow depiction of standard process to create or revise a policy. Details are described below.

The standard process is used to create or substantially revise a university policy in a way that affects the meaning and impact of the policy. 

Overview of Standard Policy Development Process

University Compliance Office (UCO) Consult

Pre-meeting and policy development planning with Responsible Office (Responsible Executive can optionally attend) to discuss:

  • Principles of the policy

  • Regulatory drivers

  • Constituents (stakeholders and SMEs to comprise Policy Advisory Group (PAG))

  • Policy formatting, framework, and templates

Contact Us to initiate this process

Responsible Executive (RE)

Approves policy development plan

Responsible Office (RO)

  • Writes the first draft of the policy

  • Takes draft to Policy Advisory Group (PAG)

  • Assembles, leads, and manages PAG

  • Responsible for timeline up until the draft goes to EPRG

  • Responsible for any training and communications associated with the policy

  • Retains archived programs and procedures

Policy Advisory Group (PAG)

PAG provides input to RO for their final draft

PAG is developed specifically for each policy; standing members include representatives from University Audit, General Counsel, and Weill Cornell Medical

University or Unit Editor

Edits policy until agreements are reached with RO

**Editor approves final policy before proceeding

Responsible Executive

Approves the final draft of the policy going to EPRG

Executive Policy Review Group (EPRG)

Reviews and endorses the final draft of the policy

University Compliance is responsible for the timeline for EPRG review and publication

Publication

University Policies are published in the University Policy Library by University Compliance

Non-substantial Revision Process

Workflow depiction of policy process "light" used to make minor edits to an existing policy. Details are described below.

The non-substantial revision process is used to make minor edits to a university policy to generally maintain it. 

Overview of Non-substantial Revisions Process

University Compliance Office (UCO) Consult

Pre-meeting and policy development planning with Responsible Office (Responsible Executive can optionally attend) to discuss:

  • Principles of the policy

  • Regulatory drivers

  • Policy formatting, framework, and templates

  • Confirming minor versus major edits

Contact Us to initiate this process

Responsible Executive (RE)

Approves policy edit plan

Responsible Office (RO)

Edits policy

Responsible for development timeline until returned to UCO for publication

University or Unit Editor

Edits policy until agreements are reached with RO

Editor approves final policy before proceeding

Publication

University Policies are published in the University Policy Library by University Compliance