This presentation was given at the National University Administrators Policy Development Intensive 2010, in April, 2010 (Melbourne, Australia).

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

6. University Policy on Policy

7. University Policy Websites

8. University Policy Repositories

9. University Policy Toolkits

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

18. University Policy Framework

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

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

27. Statements of principle widely dispersed across governance and policy instruments

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

32. Define plagiarism

33. Outline staff and student responsibilities

34. Procedures for educating students about good academic practice

35. Fair, consistent, transparent procedures for investigating and assessing suspected cases of plagiarism

36. Differential treatments (naïve/intentional; formative/summative) and differential consequent approaches

37. Central Register

38. Position on software (Turnitin, MOSS)

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

42. Comply with ethical environmental obligations (locally and globally)

43. Implement ‘best practice’ (generally non-specified) environmental sustainability-related management approaches and initiatives

44. Undertake environmental sustainability focussed teaching and research Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

46. Develop an Environmental Management Plan (detailing principles, targets and initiatives)

47. Establish an Environment Committee

48. Promote environmental awareness and community outreach

49. Minimise environmental risk(s) Brigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

51. Sustainable management of the University’s developed environment

52. Sustainable management of natural resources

53. Relevant Teaching and Research

54. Environmental emergency provision (i.e. pollution)

55. Interdependence of physical / cultural environment

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

60. Purposes for LWOP

61. Eligibility and assessment criteria

62. Time limits

63. Approval authorities

64. Implications for other entitlements

65. Superannuation arrangements

66. Responsibilities

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

71. Codes of Practice

72. VET developments - RTOs, AQF and AQTF

73. National and international qualification recognition servicesBrigid Freeman, The National University Administration Policy Development Intensive 2010

75. Inter-sectoral linkages and collaboration (between unis; across sectors RTO  TAFE  HE; within dual-sector institutions)

76. Increasing recognition of various modes of learning (informal and formal)

77. Efficiencies in education and training system

78. Qualification and institutional integrity

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

82. Clarity regarding policy approval pathways

83. Policy approval authorities = provisions of university legislation, delegations and Policy on Policy

84. Clarification regarding policy cycle

85. Incorporation of quality assurance stages

86. Tools and resources (e.g. Policy Toolkit)

87. Searchable, central Policy Repository

88. Meaningful consultation and communication

89. Change management

90. Policy implementation monitoring and evaluation

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