Policies

Policy Committee

A standing committee that oversees the process of policy standardization, organization, distribution and communication. A representative from the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will chair the WMU policy committee. The chair reports directly to the President. Executive leadership must delegate a representative from their divisional or office area to serve on the policy committee. The policy committee will also have a representative from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, who will advise on Higher Learning Commission requirements, and a representative from the Faculty Senate.

Mission and vision

The WMU Policy Committee will ensure that all policies align with Western Michigan University’s mission and vision.

The Committee shall be charged with the following:

  • Develop and maintain a clear process for proposing, approving, and distributing policies.
  • Review University policies for formatting and content.
  • Identify and eliminate policy conflicts and duplication.
  • Work with departments to establish and maintain legally required or externally mandated policies.
  • Implement and conduct a full inventory of WMU policies.
  • Ensure that the inventory remains comprehensive, up-to-date, and publicly available.
  • Remove and archive duplicate, superseded, or obsolete WMU policies.
  • Develop guidelines and procedures for managing web and print distribution of policies, to include ensuring that policies in the central electronic repository are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The committee will develop procedures and guidelines to implement the review process. These will include instructions for levels of required review, individuals responsible for various subject matter, and process for archiving rescinded policies.

The committee does not have the authority to create new policies or make substantive changes to existing policies. Either the Board, the President, or the appropriate vice president must approve any substantive policy changes.

Represented units and member

Academic Affairs

  • Sara Nelson -- Office of the Provost
  • Andrew Holmes — Office of Information Technology
  • Adriana Cardoso Reyes -- Academic Affairs

Office of  Business and Finance

  • Kurt Graham -- Human Resources

WMU University Advancement

  • David Bernard - University Advancement

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

  • Danyelle Gregory — Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion 

Governmental Relations and External Partnerships

Jeff Breneman —  Vice President for Governmental Relations and External Partnerships

Office of Legal Affairs, Risk and Compliance

  • Keith Hahn — General Counsel (Chair)
  • Eric McConnell -- Ombuds
  • Adam Wall -- Office of Institutional Equity

Marketing and Strategic Communications

  • Paula Davis — Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications

Office of Research and Innovation

  • Jim Center — Assistant Manager Research Policies

Student Affairs

  • Reetha Raveendran — Dean of Students (Vice Chair)
  • Barry Olsen -- Associate Vice President

Western Michigan University Athletics

  • Deborah Boughton --Senior Associate AD/CFO

Faculty Senate

  • Janet Hahn - Faculty Senate President