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.
2022
New Policy on Academic Affairs Policies and Protocols
September
Recently, the University adopted a new Policy on Academic Affairs Policies and Protocols. The purpose of this new policy is to establish clear and concise standards for the development, approval, decommissioning, and revision of Academic Affairs policies and protocols. It will apply to the Storrs, Regional and UConn Health campuses, and set the standard for all Academic Affairs units (i.e., school/college, campus, department, division, and other units therein). This policy aims to ensure that all formatting and presentation of policies is consistent, a complete set of Academic Affairs policies exists, and practices used in all Academic Affairs units and UConn campuses are transparent.
2021
September
The University Senate approved changes to the Senate By-Laws related to course withdrawal and pass-fail grading deadlines. The full text can be accessed here.
August
The President's Senior Team approved a new Policy on the Recruitment of Students that prohibits incentive payments based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid, as well as high-pressure recruitment tactics to secure former or current service member enrollments.
The President's Senior Team approved revisions to seven (7) University IT Security policies including:
- Acceptable Use: significant revisions clearly define expectations of all University Information Technology users for appropriate use of University IT resources
- Data Classification: incorporates the Confidential Data Policy and Confidential Data Standards into one policy; defines data types and their respective security requirements
- Data Roles and Responsibilities: revisions more clearly define roles associated with the management of University data
- Risk Management: updated to include current methodologies for conducting risk assessments; establishes department and system owner responsibility for regular assessments of risks to their technology platforms
- Security Awareness Training: establishes the authority of the Information Security Office to mandate Security Awareness training as needed and outlines the expectations for individuals and departments in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of university systems, services, and data
- Use of Social Security Number: discontinues use of SSNs except where required by law or business necessity
- Network Access: replaces Wireless Network and Physical Network policies
Three (3) new IT Security policies were also approved:
- System and Application Security: defines expectations of system management
- Mobile and Remote Device Security: establishes security requirements for how University faculty, staff, student employees and volunteers configure their mobile or remote devices to mitigate risk to University data and information systems
- Firewall Policy: defines expectations for the support and management of all firewalls within the University
June
The President's Cabinet approved revisions to the University's Surplus Property Policy and Procedures. Revisions include, but are not limited to: employees cannot purchase disposed items from departments, but rather must purchase items through Surplus; deaccessioning of University Collections items is exempted from the policy; the policy better aligns with federal regulations regarding the purchase and disposition of equipment using federal and grant funds; procedures were updated to reflect implementation of Asset Panda.
May
The President's Cabinet approved a revised Non-Retaliation Policy. The policy applicability was expanded from faculty, staff, and students to also include contractors and affiliated persons. Revisions also include, but are not limited to, expanding and/or refining definitions.
February
The Board of Trustees approved a revised Relocation and Moving Policy effective February 25, 2021. This policy applies to designated Full-time Faculty, Athletics, Librarians, Management Exempt Administrators and Management Exempt positions with faculty titles on all campuses except UConn Health. The policy is available here.
2019
May
The policy on Residential Rental Properties was updated effective May 3, 2019. This policy applies at all campuses is available at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7146.
The Animals on Campus policy was updated effective May 1, 2019. This policy applies at all campuses is available at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7086.
April
The University recently approved the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Policy, effective April 24, 2019. This policy applies to all campuses and ensures that Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains and funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony are maintained and repatriated by the University in a respectful, dignified and legally compliant manner as required by the NAGPRA. View the policy at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7742.
2018
August
The new Religious Accommodation Policy was made effective August 1, 2018. This policy applies to all campuses and sets forth the University’s processes for responding to requests from students and employees for religious accommodations. This policy is available at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7362.
2017
November
The Board of trustees approved the Purchasing through Collaboration Contracts on November 1, 2017. The purpose of this Policy is to establish a framework for procedures pursuant to which UConn can enter into Collaboration Contracts. This policy is available at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7242.
The policy on Purchases Made Using Outside Funds was approved on November 1, 2017. This policy establishes a framework for procedures pursuant to which UConn can enter into contracts using Outside Funds. View the full policy at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7240.
The Policy on Purchases for Use Abroad was approved on November 1, 2017. This establishes a framework for procedures pursuant to which UConn can make Overseas Purchases. View the full policy at: https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7230.
October
A new policy was recently adopted to provide specific requirements for the sale and/or service of alcoholic beverages at University sponsored events. The Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Service Policy, effective October 23, 2017 is available at https://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7143. This policy applies to all campuses, including UConn Health.
August
The Policy on Residential Rental Properties was adopted on August 28, 2017, with approval from President's Cabinet. Please find the full policy at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7146.
June
The University recently adopted changes to the Non Discrimination Policy Statements for Publications including Accessibility Statements for University Events and Sections 1557 Statements for Health Programs (previously entitled Non-Discrimination Policy Statements for Publications, Printed Material and Electronic Media), effective June 13, 2017. For the full policy, please visit: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=949.
Effective June 12th, the University adopted a space management policy. The full policy is available at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7103.
A new Animals on Campus Policy is in place at all campuses as of June 9, 2017. The policy provides a single resource for rules and guidance related to individuals bringing animals on University property, including service animals, service animals in training, emotional support animals and pets. For the full policy and all related guidance, please visit: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7086.
May
The University recently approved a University Policy on Communications with External Media, effective May 5th. The policy gathers existing University policies regarding employee communication with external media into one accessible statement while also reaffirming the University's continuing commitment to the principles of academic freedom. The full policy is available at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7075.
2016
December
An institution wide Lactation Policy was adopted to provide employee and students who are breastfeeding a private place and reasonable time to express milk for their nursing child. This policy is in accordance with relevant laws and regulations regarding breastfeeding in the workplace and made effective on December 20, 2016. Read the full policy and find procedures at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7009.
The Technology Incubation Program Operation Policy was adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 7, 2016. It applies to all campuses including UConn Health. This policy replaces the Policy on Incubation Company Leasing. For more information, visit: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=409.
September
An Endorsement Policy was adopted by the Senior Administration and made effective on September 1, 2016. This policy applies to Faculty, Staff, Students, and Others. The policy is available at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6949.
August
The Missing Student Policy was updated effective August 18, 2016. This policy is available at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=2539.
June
The Board of Trustees approved revisions to the Sustainable Design and Construction Policy on June 29th, 2016. The new policy requires LEED Gold as the new performance standard for project design and construction. Additional background information is available within the Board of Trustees Archives Collection. Please view the full policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=3543.
The new Smoking Policy was adopted and made effective by the President's Cabinet on June 7, 2016. This policy prohibits smoking in all University owned or leased buildings, facilities and vehicles. Along with these requirements, smoking is now banned within 25 feet of all campus buildings (including residence halls). Please view the full policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=1038
April
The Policy on the Protection of Minors and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect and accompanying procedures establish consistent standards intended to support the University in meeting its commitments to promote the protection of minors who participate in activities sponsored by the University and to inform all members of the University community of their obligation to report any instances of known or suspected child abuse or neglect. Please view the full policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6754.
March
The Service Animals Policy was updated on March 3, 2016. This policy is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6054.
An Alternative Work Arrangements Policy and Procedure was approved by the President's Cabinet on March, 3rd 2016. This policy establishes guidelines and processes for telecommuting and flexible schedules for exempt managerial and confidential employees. The full policy is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6736.
The Policy on the Prevention and Reporting of Fraud and Fiscal Irregularities was adopted and made effective on March 23, 2016. The purpose of this policy is both to inform the University community of each member's responsibility to safeguard University resources and to establish standards for the reporting of suspected or known fraud or fiscal irregularities to the appropriate officials. Please review the full policy at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6794.
January
On January 1, the new Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence took effect. The policy, FAQs, and related forms are available at: http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6592.
On January 12, 2016, the newly adopted Export Control Policy was approved to extend to UConn Health.
The Board of Trustees approved revisions to the Policy on the Selection of Legal Counsel on January 27, 2016. This policy is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=2508.
The President's Cabinet approved a Contractor Parking Policy on January 28, 2016. This policy applies to all general and trade contractors, construction managers, trucking and delivery drivers and workers while conducting University-contracted business at the Storrs and Depot Campuses. View the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6706.
2015
December
The Administration adopted an Export Control Policy effective December 14, 2015 for the Storrs and Regional Campuses. The policy and associated procedures were developed to support compliance with export control laws and regulations. This policy is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6564.
On December 16th, the Board of Trustees approved the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence effective January 1, 2016. The new policy will place three existing, separate policies (Sexual Assault Response Policy; Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Inappropriate Romantic Relationships; Title IX Notice) under one coordinated, easier-to-read policy.
September
The Board of Trustees approved a Intellectual Property and Commercialization Policy on September 30, 2015, effective immediately. This policy applies to faculty, staff and students at all University Campuses. Please review the full policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6473.
August
The Emergency Closing Policy was updated on August 27, 2015. For more information, please visit http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=348.
July
The University’s Travel & Entertainment Policies and Procedures has been revised and will become effective July 1, 2015. For more information, please visit http://travel.uconn.edu/2015/06/26/1update/.
Effective July 14, the Policy on the Use of Students in Outside Employment was revised to require additional approvals in certain circumstances involving Faculty and Graduate Students. Please review this policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/2011/06/02/use-of-students-in-outside-employment/.
The Office of the Controller has created a new policy to issue guidance on the Use of University Funds for Gifts, Social Functions, Sponsorships & Donations. The policy represents a consolidation of existing policies and practice into one cohesive document. Effective immediately, this policy applies to all employees and individuals with the authority to request, control or approve the expenditure of University Funds. Please review the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6231.
Two policies related to international travel were adopted and made effective on July 23, 2015. The Student International Travel Policy available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6294 applies to all undergraduate and graduate students at the Storrs and regional campuses including the School of Law traveling internationally for university-sponsored or university-related purposes. The Policy for Education Abroad and Related Activities in Sites with U.S. Department of State Travel Warning/Travel Alert available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=6313 applies to all undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, faculty and staff at the Storrs and regional campuses including the School of Law traveling internationally for university-sponsored or university related purposes.
May
Faculty Medical Leave Guidelines were recently adopted on May 7, 2015. The guidelines apply to Storrs, the 5 regional campuses and UConn Law.
A Policy on Familial Relationships and Teaching was adopted on May 15, 2015. The policy applies to faculty, instructors and students and extends to all UConn campuses, except UConn Health.
April
The By-Laws of the University of Connecticut were amended with approval by the Board of Trustees on April 29, 2015. The change was made to recognize that the Senate agenda is now distributed electronically and it is no longer required to distribute the agenda a minimum of five days in advance of the Senate meeting.
March
The Alcohol and Drugs Policy for students was recently modified to clarify rules surrounding alcohol service on University campuses. See section 1.g. at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=2236.
Revisions to UConn's Consulting Policy were approved March 25, 2015 by the Board of Trustees and are in effect immediately. View the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=155.
UConn's Electronic (E-mail) Communication policy was recently revised, with changes effective March 13, 2015. View the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=318.
February
UConn's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Policy was recently revised, with changes effective February 13, 2015. View the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=368.
UConn's Policy Protocol used to establish standards for the development, approval, revision and decommissioning of official University was recently revised. Revisions were approved on February 11th and made effective immediately. View the protocol at http://policy.uconn.edu/policy-protocol/.
The Drug Free Schools & Campuses Act notification was released February 6th to the campus community. Included in this biannual notification are the University's policies on alcohol and drugs. Learn more at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=2236.
UConn's Logo and Wordmark Policy was approved in January of 2015 and made effective February 1, 2015. View the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=4237.
January
UConn's Financial Conflict of Interest in Research was modified on January 23, 2015 with revisions effective immediately. View the policy at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=382.