Dave Mercer Monkeytree Creative Inc.

November 19, 2011

Building a Policy Framework

What is Policy?A means of:Defining intentEnsuring consistencyEnhancing transparencyClarifying/defining mandatesLimiting/resolving conflictFacilitating continuityEstablishing/maintaining legitimacy

What it is NOT

Static – evolving through experience and necessity; policy needs to be amendable through clear mechanisms

Omnipotent – it is impossible to prepare for every conceivable eventuality – The “alien” model; – Creating non-specific policies where

appropriate can provide legitimate flexibility if consistency is maintained

High-Level Policy – N.S. DGA Amendments and regulations to the Degree

Granting Act (1989) Created before private universities were a reality

in Canada Changes required to plug gaping loopholes and

define roles, responsibilities, requirements, procedures and penalties

Designed to protect students from unscrupulous private higher education providers

Modeled on Private Career Colleges Act and regs

N.S. DGA (cont.) Need was perceived and addressed Mechanisms created were based on the

need and the intent (form follows function) Other sources were utilized where possible

– not necessary to reinvent the wheel Clear mechanisms for administration of

the Act and regs are contained within Amendment more difficult than anticipated

due to objection by Opposition critic

Website Policy Definitions Purpose Roles, responsibilities Regulatory (behavioral) sections – rules,

privacy, copyright (policies subject to laws) Dispute resolution (incl. penalties for

misuse) Technical sections (IT, support) Maintenance (regular review, amendment

procedures, by whom)

Next Steps Timelines Different types of functionality… Different

policy requirements; multiple ‘models’? What can we define/describe/establish

now? What can we prepare in advance? What ‘templates’ can we use? Input from stakeholders? Who approves the final product?