This page contains a history of University Policy changes dating back to 2016 (when the policy program moved to Compliance). If you have question about a specific policy or change, please contact either the responsible official, or one of the primary offices named in the policy.
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Policy Number and Link |
Policy Name |
Senior Responsible Official |
Date of Change |
Primary Reason for the Policy or Change |
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| 853 | Mobile Communications and Device Policy | VP Finance | Nov 18, 2020 | This policy is being issued to bring standardization to our practices and ensure that we are meeting current IRS regulations and guidance. |
| 411 | Performance Commitment and Accountability for Staff | VP Administration | Nov 17, 2020 | As part of an ongoing review/update of Human Resources policies, this policy revision provides elaboration and clarity around staff performance. |
| 401 | Staff Expectations for Working at Rice | VP Administration | Nov 17, 2020 | As part of an ongoing review/update of Human Resources policies, this policy revision provides the general expectations for staff. |
| 852 | International Travel | VP for International Operations and Information Technology | Sept 17, 2020 | The is a new policy covering international travel for faculty, staff, and students. It codifies the current travel registry process, and also sets up a framework for ensuring safe and compliant international travel (covering health and safety related procedures, as well as our obligations under export control and anti-corruption laws). |
| 851 | Digital Information Accessibility | VP International Operations and Information Technology | Aug 31, 2020 |
This is a new policy focused on digital accessibility, with the following components: · Articulates an accessibility statement/vision · Sets a technical standard for webpages (i.e. “WCAG 2.1 AA”), and sets the ADA as the standard for courses/applications. · Requires specific procurement/contract language relative to accessibility · Designates an accessibility coordinator · Requires technical review and approval for new prominent pages · Provides a complaint/help/accommodation process (Access@rice.edu) This policy also outlines a process and requirement to remediate old webpages, based on their current usage and individual requests for access |
| 846 | Distance and Online Education | VP Strategic Initiatives | Aug 24, 2020 |
The workflow was updated to reflect current practice, and to provide an accessible version of the chart
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| 828 | Sexual Misconduct Policy for Faculty, Staff, and Students | VP Admin | Aug 14, 2020 |
As part of implementing Title IX regulations, this is a new policy that covers any allegations of Title IX sexual misconduct or harassment by or against a faculty, staff, or student. |
| 830 | Policy on Discrimination and Harassment | VP Admin | Aug 14, 2020 |
As part of implementing Title IX regulations, this is a revision to align with Policy 828, while providing the process for non-Title IX sexual harassment. This policy also covers discrimination, bullying, and hate speech. |
| 201 | Faculty Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure | Provost | Aug 14, 2020 | As part of implementing Title IX regulations, this revision to Section 8 on sanctions was to align with Policy 828. This change was approved by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate on August 12, 2020. |
| 846 | Distance and Online Education | VP Strategic Initiatives | July 15, 2020 |
The definition of distance or online course was changed from “more than 50%” to “a majority.” This change is consistent with SACSCOC’s definition, and allows for classes to be split for social distancing purposes. This was approved by the Executive Council of the Faculty Senate on July 14, 2020. |
| 218 | Disclosure and Management of Outside Activities and Outside Interests | VP Research | June 8, 2020 | Policy 216 has been split into three separate policies for clarity and ease of use (216, 217, and 218). The changes in the policies are primarily driven by recent government guidance (and enforcement actions) related to conflicts of interest and failure to disclose. This change is also in response to NSF regulations which took effect on June 1, 2020 |
| 217 | Conflicts of Commitment and Outside Activities for Faculty | VP Research | June 8, 2020 | Policy 216 has been split into three separate policies for clarity and ease of use (216, 217, and 218). The changes in the policies are primarily driven by recent government guidance (and enforcement actions) related to conflicts of interest and failure to disclose. This change is also in response to NSF regulations which took effect on June 1, 2020 |
| 216 | Conflicts of Interest in Research and Scholarship | VP Research | June 8, 2020 | Policy 216 has been split into three separate policies for clarity and ease of use (216, 217, and 218). The changes in the policies are primarily driven by recent government guidance (and enforcement actions) related to conflicts of interest and failure to disclose. This change is also in response to NSF regulations which took effect on June 1, 2020 |
| 304 | Effort Reporting | VP Finance | May 28, 2020 | The change to this policy is primarily to incorporate the training requirement for administrative staff and first time principal investigators that was put in place in 2014. |
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Staff Compensation Policy |
VP Administration |
January 15, 2020 |
This policy was previously known as the Pay Practices / Hours of Work Policy, which was last substantively updated in March 1996. This update brings the policy in line with current practices on crisis pay, pay transparency, and breaks for nursing mothers (among other topics).
In addition, this revision incorporates Policy 434 (Compressed Work Week) and Policy 436 (Compensation). |
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434 |
Compressed Work Week |
VP Administration |
January 15, 2020 |
Revoked, as this now covered in Policy 410. |
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436 |
Compensation |
VP Administration |
January 15, 2020 |
Revoked, as this now covered in Policy 410. |
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Golf Cart Operation Policy |
VP Administration |
December 9, 2019 |
The purpose of this new policy is to improve campus safety for members of the Rice community, to reduce accidents, to minimize destruction of property, and to ensure efficient use of carts. This policy promulgates safe golf cart driving practices by prescribing requirements for driver qualifications and training, and operation and maintenance of carts.
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, tenants, and contractors working on behalf of Rice University. |
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Faculty Performance Reviews |
VP Academic Affairs |
December 9, 2019 |
This policy describes the process, schedule and criteria for reviewing all faculty positions at Rice University, and was approved by the Faculty Senate in August 2019. |
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Use of Buildings and Grounds for Campus Events |
VP Administration |
December 9, 2019 |
This policy governs the use of all indoor and outdoor physical spaces on the Rice campus, and is intended to increase support and coordination of those events to optimize Rice event facilities and availability for internal groups. |
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Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships in the Educational or Workplace Environment |
Provost (Faculty) VP Admin (Staff) |
September 13, 2019 |
Discusses when such relationships are allowed, when they must be disclosed, and when they are prohibited. This policy is based on the Faculty Senate Statement (April 15, 2009), and has been expanded to cover additional types of relationships, as well as provide procedural guidance. |
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Rice University Policy on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct |
VP Administration |
September 13, 2019 |
Updated to clarify roles and expectations, as well as expand coverage to Harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking
Also, pursuant to Texas law (SB212), all faculty and staff who receive information, directly or indirectly, regarding harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking by or against a University student or employee must promptly report the incident to EEOP/AA or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator within 24 hours.
More information on this policy and update is available at https://policy830.rice.edu/.
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Honorary Faculty Titles |
Provost
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August 27, 2019 |
Standardizes the process for conferring or withdrawing honorary titles. Approved by the Faculty Senate September 2018. |
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Employment Background Checks |
VP Administration |
August 27, 2019 |
Requires criminal background checks for all new faculty and staff. Discusses the review and decision process for such checks. |
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Effort Reporting |
VP Finance |
May 23, 2019 |
Clerical change to correct the reporting deadline, which was 30 business days, to 30 days (which is consistent with the procedures and longstanding practice).
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Protection of University Data and Information |
VP Information Technology |
May 21, 2019 |
To require encryption on any device that holds personally identifiable information, and to require immediate reporting to the Information Security Office any breach or loss of such data.
Also updated to include coverage of new the European Union’s data privacy regulation and new federal requirements related to “controlled unclassified information.” |
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Renovations and Additions to Campus Buildings, Facilities and Grounds |
VP Administration |
May 21, 2019 |
Last revised in 1978, this has been revised to match current practices, and to ensure that all renovations and changes will meet relevant regulatory and safety standards. |
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Use of Electronic Signatures |
VP Information Technology |
May 21, 2019 |
This is a new policy to define when such signatures may be used, and the limitations on use. |
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Faculty Appointments, Promotions and Tenure |
VP Academic Affairs |
May 8, 2019 |
Clerical change to update links, and to update the title of the revised Procedures for Faculty Reappointment, Promotions, and Tenure
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Faculty Appointments and Tenure
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Vice Provost Academic Affairs |
April 6, 2018 |
This revision is based on the work of the VPAA and Faculty Senate, for the purpose of correcting structural and usability problems in the previous Policy 201 (which had multiple editions). This revision was endorsed by the Faculty Senate on September 20, 2017. |
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Human Research Protection Program
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Vice Provost Research |
April 6, 2018 |
This policy update was necessary to comply with current federal regulations, and to clarify roles and responsibilities relative to research involving human subjects. |
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Campus Demonstrations, Protests and Other Organized Expressions of Opinion
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Vice President Administration |
April 6, 2018 |
Last updated in 1975, this policy update clarifies roles and responsibilities while preserving a commitment to free speech. |
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Rice University Alcohol Policy |
Provost |
April 6, 2018 |
The purpose of this new policy is to establish for all faculty, staff, and students that it is Rice policy to follow the law related to the consumption of alcohol, and further clarify the requirements around events with students where alcohol is served.
This policy establishes that if alcohol will be served and more than 10% of the participants are students, the event must be registered, and must follow the relevant procedure based on the type of students, either:
Please see alcoholpolicy.rice.edu for more information. |
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Access and Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities |
VP Administration |
March 17, 2017 |
Updated to comply with federal regulations (including the ADA Amendments Act), as well as provide additional clarity around roles and responsibilities |
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Paid Time Off (formerly Benefit Time) |
VP Administration |
January 10, 2017 |
Updated to comply with federal regulations (including Affordable Care Act and Fair Labor Standards Act), and add clarity to the existing policy. |
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426 |
Service Awards |
VP Administration |
January 10, 2017 |
Revoked. This policy predated many of the programs and services that are offered by Human Resources, and was no longer current. |
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429 |
Problem Solving |
VP Administration |
January 10, 2017 |
Revoked. This policy predated many of the programs and services that are offered by Human Resources, and was no longer current. |
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Signature and Approval Authority |
VP Finance |
May 10, 2017 |
Updated to require that all contracts (regardless of cost) for software or services that impact or integrate with central university IT systems require prior approval by the Vice President for Information Technology |
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University Programs or Activities Involving Minors |
VP Administration |
May 10, 2017 |
Updated to establish the Office of Risk Management as the authority on interactions involving minors (other than admitted RU students), and specifies programmatic requirements for activities with minors including mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, program registration, mandatory background checks, and appropriate training. |
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Appropriate Use of Information Technology |
VP Information Technology |
April 25, 2017 |
On March 17, 2017 policy was updated to refocus on relevant risks and uses, as well as provide for the protection of data (as required by many statutes). There was a clerical change on April 25, 2017 to update the links in section VIII and correct an obvious typo in III para 3. |
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Immigration and Visas
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VP Academic Affairs |
January 10, 2017 |
New policy to codify the existing roles and responsibilities related to non-immigrant visas which are sponsored by Rice, as necessary to ensure compliance with federal regulations |
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Partisan Political Activities |
VP Public Affairs |
November 21, 2016 |
New policy to comply with IRS requirements for nonprofits as well as regulations related to lobbing or partisan political activities on campus |
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Care and Humane Treatment of Animals Used in Research, Testing, Education and Training |
VP Research |
August 1, 2016 |
Updated to comply with federal and state law, and support accreditation efforts
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Identity Theft Prevention Program |
VP Finance |
August 1, 2016 |
New policy to comply with federal regulations and Board of Trustees resolution regarding identity theft (sometimes called the Federal Trade Commission “red flags” rule) |