Policy Review Checklist

Policy Review Checklist

Initial Need Assessment

When a Responsible Office begins evaluating whether a policy qualifies as a University Policy, use the following guiding questions: 

  1. Does the policy support the university’s mission or its relationships with internal and external stakeholders? 
  2. Is the policy critical to achieving university-wide goals such as risk management, compliance, or operational efficiency? 
  3. Is the policy necessary to meet legal, regulatory, or accreditation requirements? 

If the answer to any questions is yes, the Responsible Office should proceed with one of the following actions: 

  • Retain the policy as currently written 
  • Revise the policy to improve clarity, relevance, or alignment with institutional goals 

If the answer to any question is no, the Responsible Office may consider once of the alternative actions: 

  • Consolidate the policy with related or overlapping policies 
  • Reclassify the content as a procedure, guideline, or training resource 
  • Retire the policy if it is no longer necessary or applicable 

Policy Review Checklist

If revisions are needed, the Responsible Office should use the Policy Review Checklist to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with university standards. The checklist guides policy owners in confirming compliance with legal and organizational requirements, highlighting key elements for clear, practical, and enforceable policies.

For new policies, use the official university policy template.

1. General Policy Information
  • Title is clear and descriptive 
  • Responsible Office is listed and accurate 
  • Responsible Administrator is listed and accurate 
  • Policy Contact information is provided (preferably a resource email or position title) 
2. Template Utilization

Scope

  • Defines who and what the policy applies to

Policy Statement

  • Clearly communicates intent and purpose
  • Aligns with organizational goals and values

Reason for the Policy

  • Purpose is clearly stated

Definitions

  • Key terms are clearly defined and used consistently

Sanctions

  • Consequences for non-compliance are specified
3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
  • Complies with current laws and regulations 
  • Legal references are accurate and current 
4. Stakeholder Engagement
  • Relevant stakeholders were consulted 
  • Feedback from users or affected parties was considered 
  • Policy reflects operational realities 
5. Content Accuracy
  • Information is current and reflects actual practices 
  • No outdated references, links, or procedures 
  • Definitions and terminology are clear, well-defined, and consistent 
6. Clarity and Formatting
  • Logically organized and easy to follow 
  • Language is clear, concise, and jargon-free 
  • Formatting is consistent (headings, bullet points, etc.) 
  • Follows University Policy Style Guide standards 
7. Comparative and Consistency Review
  • Supports university mission and strategic goals 
  • Essential for risk management 
  • Enhances operational effectiveness 
  • Required for legal or regulatory compliance 
  • Applies to the entire university community 
  • Does not duplicate or conflict with other policies 
  • Reflects current practices, laws, and best practices 
  • Benchmarked against peer institutions 
  • Assesses impact on students, staff, and operations 
  • Evaluates whether procedural content should be separated 
8. Readiness Checklist
  • AI and/or human review for plain language, clarity, conciseness, grammar, spelling, and punctuation completed 
  • Peer benchmarking conducted 
  • Stakeholders consulted 
  • Feedback incorporated 
  • Additional supporting documentation is linked/referenced