Recent Updates

This page provides updates on new and revised University policies, procedures or other guidelines.  All University faculty, staff, students, agents, consultants and representatives must understand and be in compliance with the University’s policies. The policy updates below may highlight significant revisions (revised policies) or key points (new policies) but do not serve as an all-inclusive reference for the respective policy. Please be sure to refer to the full policy to ensure compliance.

2026

May

The Senior Policy Council and the President approved several University Policies.

New University Policies

  1. Hazardous Materials Donations Policy (New, effective June 1, 2026): This new policy requires that all donations of hazardous materials – including biological, chemical, radioactive, and other regulated materials – be reviewed and approved by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) before it is accepted to protect staff; ensure compliance with federal, state, and University requirements; meet building and fire code standards; and minimize disposal costs. This policy applies to all campuses, except UConn Health.

Revised University Policies

  1. Consumable Stores and Supplies Policy (Revised): This policy update includes revised language in the Background, Purpose, and Policy Statement; clarified and added definitions (Consumable Stores and Supplies Inventory, Perpetual Inventory, and Physical Inventory); updated contact information; and additional links in the Procedures/Forms section. The policy applies to all campuses except UConn Health.
  2. Financial Commitments to Institutional Training Grants and Nationally Competitive Graduate Fellowships (Revised, effective July 1, 2026): This policy was updated to apply only to the Storrs and the Regional campuses.
  3. The Provost's Professional Internship Program for Public Outreach, Service, and Engagement (Revised, effective July 1, 2026): This policy was updated to require internships that are supported under this policy be located within Connecticut to better align funding with the University's mission to support the state's workforce and economy. The policy also requires out-of-state students receiving support for eligible Connecticut-based internships to apply for Connecticut residency by the end of their first year.  This policy applies to the Storrs and Regional Campuses.
  4. Pre-employment Background Check Policy (Revised): This policy was reviewed as part of recent updates to the background check program. The revised policy requires background checks for all employment on special payroll, consistent with the requirements for regular payroll positions. The policy applies to all campuses, except UConn Health
  5. Religious Accommodation Policy (Revised): This policy was revised to update the definition of "undue hardship" to align with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and update the standard for determining undue hardship from “more than a de minimis cost” to a “substantial increased burden” on the University. References to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) were also updated to reflect the current office name, the Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights (OICR). This policy applies to all campuses.
  6. Service Center Policy (Revised): This policy was updated as part of its scheduled review to align University Service Center requirements with current federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and the updated University Policy Template. This policy applies to all campuses, except UConn Health.
  7. Travel and Entertainment Policy and Procedures (Revised): This policy was updated to add the previous requirement for non-refundable tickets. UConn requires airline tickets to be purchased through the University’s travel agency, Anthony Travel, or online through Concur. If travel is canceled, a non-refundable ticket will generate a credit that can be applied to future travel by the same traveler or transferred to another UConn employee through a “Name Change” process. Because the University retains the value of the non-refundable ticket through this credit, refundable tickets are not necessary and will not be reimbursed.

    Decommissioned University Policies

    1. Special Payroll Policy (Decommissioned April 20, 2026): This policy is being decommissioned because it primarily restates existing state statutory language. Special Payroll Guidelines have been developed, communicated, and posted, to provide clear guidelines for departments administering special payroll appointments. The decommissioning approved by the Interim Vice President for Human Resources, General Counsel & Executive Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
    2. Undergraduate Earned Credits Semester Standing (Decommissioned March 10, 2026): The Senate by-laws have duplicative information included in this policy already and passed a resolution to add the chart from this page to the by-laws. The decommissioning was approved by the Senate Scholastic Standards Committee and full Senate by vote on March 9, 2026.

    March

    The Senior Policy Council and the President approved several University Policies.

    New University Policies

    1. Policy on Registered and Trustee Student Organizations (New): Establishes a University wide framework for overseeing Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and Trustee Student Organizations following the removal of related provisions from the University By Laws in September 2025. The policy defines roles, responsibilities, and expectations for the University, advisors, and student organizations, ensuring consistency across campuses and alignment with constitutional protections, state law, and institutional practice.
    2. Capital Equipment and Controllable Property Policy (New): Consolidates the former Capital Equipment Tagging and Physical Inventory Policy with the Controllable Property Policy. Updates include revised Purpose and Policy Statement language, new definitions (e.g., Controllable Property, Custodian), updated contact information, and added links to procedures and forms.

    Revised University Policies (Substantive Revisions)

    1. Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence (Revised): Updated to reflect recent regulatory changes and to replace references to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) with the Office of Civil Rights and Inclusion (OICR).
    2. Digital Accessibility Policy (Revised): Formerly the “Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Policy,” this policy was renamed, expanded to include UConn Health, and now applies across all campuses. Revisions clarify language and ensure alignment with upcoming ADA Title II regulations effective April 2026.
    3. Acceptable Use Policy (Revised): Revised to align with State of Connecticut Controllable Property Manual requirements and to clarify prohibitions on credential sharing.
    4. Endpoint Device Security Policy (Revised): Formerly “Mobile and Remote Device Policy,” this policy now establishes uniform security requirements for all endpoint devices accessing University systems. Revisions also align with current device management practices and codify exception processes.
    5. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Policy (Revised): Updated to remove vendor specific references, assign MFA standards and procedures to the Information Security Office, and clarify authority to mandate MFA.
    6. Network Access Policy (Revised): Updated references to UPDC standards and clarified that requirements apply to all networks and telecommunications installations.
    7. Security Awareness Training Policy (Revised): Strengthens training requirements, expands scope to include non public University data, and removes outdated communication methods.
    8. System and Application Security Policy (Revised): Establishes uniform system security requirements, mandates Single Sign On (SSO) where feasible, clarifies system owner responsibilities (least privilege, access control documentation, maintenance, vulnerability management, logging), and codifies exception management.
    9. Confidentiality of Library User Records (Revised): Updated as part of its scheduled review and expanded to apply to all UConn Libraries. Revisions include clarified language and updated procedural links.
    10. Use of Students in Outside Employment (Revised): Updated as part of its scheduled review. Revisions include adding all students, not just graduate students, to the scope; added definition for Business Relationships; added requirements for entering a business relationship, and additional protections for students.

    Revised University Policies (Non-substantive Revisions)

    1. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Policy: The current policy template was applied to the policy, definitions were created, and the standard enforcement section was included.
    2. Firewall Policy: The current policy template was applied to the policy, and the standard enforcement statement was added.
    3. Risk Management Policy: Revisions include the removal of unused definitions and duplicative regulatory language, as well as the correction of a policy title referenced within the policy.

    Decommissioned University Policies

    1. Policy Statement: Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity: This policy statement was duplicative of both the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence and the policy statements issued with the annual Connecticut Affirmative Action Plans for UConn and UConn Health.
    2. Exemptions from, and Substitutions for, University Requirements: This policy was duplicative of information already published in the University Senate By-Laws (Article II.C.1.c).

    January

    The Senior Policy Council and President approved the following policies (all effective January 1, 2026):

    Executive Residency Requirement Policy (New): This is a new policy that was drafted in response to Public Act 25-71 to establish residency requirements for the University President, Vice Presidents and other equivalent positions consistent with state law. This policy applies to all campuses, including UConn Health.

    Financial Accounting and Chart of Accounts Policy (New): This policy consolidates two existing University policies into one (Integrity of Accounting Transactions and Chart of Accounts Maintenance), clarifies responsibility for accounting transactions, and reinforces expectations for proper account classification and object code use, aligned with current standards.

    Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Service Policy (Revised): This policy was reviewed as part of its scheduled update. The revised policy provides greater clarity regarding campuses with permanent food service establishments operated by Dining Services, where an existing alcohol permit applies. Additional updates include clarification on events with student attendance where alcohol is served, donated alcoholic products, and rules for event attendees bringing their own alcohol. This policy applies to all campuses, including UConn Health.

    University’s Policy on Policies (Revised): This policy was reviewed as part of its scheduled update. Revisions include clarifying language that aligns with current processes and removing the ability for Committees to hold policy ownership.

    Policy on the Review of University of Connecticut-Related Companies by the Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (Decommissioned): This policy was outdated and unnecessary as a standalone policy. Its content is already included in the Policy on Human Stem Cell Research Approval.

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