The President and Senior Policy Council have approved the following policies this month:

Fitness for Duty Policy (New): This new policy establishes the University's right to require that employees undergo a fitness for duty evaluation in situations which the employee may not be fit for duty or may present a safety risk for themselves or others (e.g., observable difficulties performing the essential functions of their position; poses an imminent or serious safety threat to self or others). The purpose of this policy is to ensure that employees are physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of performing their job responsibilities effectively and safely.

Malign Foreign Talent Program Participation Policy (New): This is a new policy intended to meet federal requirements and safeguard the University’s research and resources from potential risks associated with malign foreign talent programs. The policy prohibits participation in high-risk programs that could compromise the University’s research integrity or compliance with U.S. laws. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, and students engaged in research on any campus.

Outdoor Activities Policy (New): This policy replaces the Division of Student Affairs Large, Outdoor, and/or Late Hours Event Policy. It expands applicability to all Storrs and Regional stakeholders, including visitors. The policy applies to scheduled and unscheduled activities, whether active or passive, specifies general activity requirements, and prohibited and permitted items.

Outdoor Amplified and Projected Sound Policy (Revised): This policy is a revision of the previously named Speaker’s Forum and Outdoor Amplification Policy. Modifications include changes to applicable hours, limitation of the acceptable sound level to 85 decibels, as well as revision of the exclusions to permit Athletic and University events, approved practices, and performances of the Marching Band.

Providing Information in Alternative Formats Policy (Revised): This policy was updated to include UConn Health along and revised for brevity and clarity.

The Student Code (Revised): The revisions to the Student Code includes clarifying roles, responsibilities, and defined terms, as well as updating the student conduct review process. This includes adjustments to the way hearings are conducted, how information is shared with involved parties, and the handling of student conduct records. The revisions also include updates to sanctions and probationary measures, providing more detailed descriptions of the conditions under which sanctions like University Probation and Suspension are applied and reviewed.

In addition, the University Senate approved a motion to amend the University Senate Bylaws, Article II, E, 13. The approved motion is available on the Senate website.

Financial Commitments to Institutional Training Grants and Nationally Competitive Graduate Fellowships (New; Consolidation): This policy consolidates the Policy on Competitive Federal Graduate Fellowship Awards and the  Policy on Competitive Non-Federal Graduate Fellowship Awards.

The institutional allowance associated with training grants and nationally competitive fellowships is often insufficient to cover the actual cost of tuition and to subsidize health insurance. This policy describes conditions under which the University will supplement the institutional allowance to cover the entire cost of tuition and to subsidize health insurance to the same extent as it does for graduate assistants. This policy includes master’s and PhD programs at UConn Health.

Posting Policy (New): This policy was created to manage the physical posting of materials on campus, such as the effective use of bulletin boards and other designated areas, to prevent littering and the defacing of or damage to University property. This policy is not meant to supersede other existing area-specific posting policies, such as the Rock Painting Policy, nor is it intended to inhibit free speech or expression.

Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence (Revision effective August 1, 2024): This policy was revised pursuant to the new Title IX federal regulations (effective August 1, 2024). This includes:

• updates to reporting responsibilities and terminology,
• updates to prohibited conduct definitions, and
• additions related to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions

Further, the duty to cooperate is updated consistent with other misconduct-related policies. This policy includes UConn Health.

Compliance Training Policy (Revision): This policy was updated for clarity. The Purpose was expanded to speak to the overall aim of the policy and compliance training. Section headers were added for readability. Use of “workforce member” was added to the Scope for consistency across campuses. This policy applies to UConn Health.

Consent Agenda: The Senior Policy Council approved the definition of “Workforce”, consistent with UConn Health standards, to ensure uniformity in policy scope across all campuses.

“Workforce” is defined as: Employees, volunteers, trainees, and other persons whose conduct, in the performance of work for the University, is under the direct control of the University, whether or not they are paid by the University. This definition should be used in the “Applies to” section of the Policy Template when the scope includes the relevant parties.

Animals on Campus Policy (Revision): The Animals on Campus Policy and Procedures were split into separate documents to reflect best practice.  Each document has been reformatted with clear headings to enhance accessibility. Modifications to the language have been made to improve clarity and conciseness, as well as to more clearly define the circumstances under which animals may be removed from an area or event.

Contractor Parking Policy (Revision): Changes to this policy were requested by University Planning, Design, and Construction in response to dialogue with Storrs Downtown Partnership regarding contractor parking in the downtown garage.

Leave Benefits for Managerial and Confidential Employees (Revision effective July 1, 2024): The Leave Benefits for Managerial and Confidential Exempt Employees was revised to: (1) decouple the existing policy between Storrs/Regional employees and UConn Health employees; and, subsequently, (2) align leave provisions and entitlements with Storrs/Regional practices and benefits associated with Storrs-based unionized employee benefits. The UConn Health revision of this policy was approved by the UConn Health Administrative Policy Committee on 4/1/24.

University Logo and Trademark Policy (Revision): The revision clarifies appropriate uses, including usage for registered student organizations, and emphasizes the importance of UConn trademarks and their role in maintaining brand integrity. The revision also outlines clearer enforcement rules to address potential violations. Designed with some flexibility, the policy will remain relevant as the UConn brand continues to evolve.

General Rules of Conduct (Revised): The revisions to this policy include editorial changes to update the contact information and align with the University Policy Template, as well as substantive revisions to update antiquated language, provide greater clarity to the existing rules, and to add new rules. Examples of clarifying language include separating former section (K) into two sections: (K) for conducting oneself in any manner which is insulting, intimidating, threating, physically or verbally abusive, or contrary to common decency or morality; making verbal or written remarks that are inflammatory, derogatory, discriminatory, harassing, or that create a hostile work environment.; and a new section (L) for carrying out any form of harassment, including sexual harassment. New rules (V through Z) include engaging in activities which are detrimental to the best interests of the University or the State; entering, using, or providing access the worksite other than for work purposes or unauthorized individuals; retaliation; engaging in any form of sexual or unwelcome physical conduct in the workplace; and failing to cooperate or being untruthful in a University investigation. These clarifying edits and additional rules are consistent with UConn Health Center's April 2023 revision to their Rules of Conduct. The policy owner was also updated to Human Resources.

Military Leave Policy (Revised): The substantive revision for this policy is to align the policy with federal and state law, as well as outline current procedures for employees to request military leave. The revision also includes editorial changes (adding HR/LR email addresses and other stylistic/grammar edits).

Pre-Employment Background Check Policy (Revised): The revisions for this policy include editorial changes to update contact information and align with the University Policy Template, as well as substantive revisions to provide greater clarity and to align with current practices.

UConn Degrees Earned by Faculty Policy (Revised): The revisions for this policy include: change in policy ownership from The Graduate School to the Office of the Provost, an added purpose statement, revised policy statement, and editorial changes to reflect the updated University Policy Template.