In recognition that the University Manual has been created through the framework of shared governance between the university faculty and administration under the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, it is the source of information regarding the structure, rights, regulations, and practices that govern university life. The Manual is considered to be the official university policy document articulating shared governance and, as such, takes precedence over other internal policy statements inconsistent or conflicting with the Manual.
Academic policies, with the exception of those mandated by government at state or federal levels, are legislated by Faculty Senate and Presidential action and are articulated in the various Chapters and Appendices of this Manual.
Administrative policies are set forth within the framework of this Appendix and maintained by the Office of the Vice President of Administration and Finance, with oversight by the Administrative Policy Committee.
Research and intellectual property (IP) policies are academic and administrative policies set forth in Section 4 of this Appendix maintained by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Although many research policies are academic in nature affecting the faculty as a whole, many other research policies are treated as administrative in nature, mandated by requirements of federal and state granting authorities.
SECTION 1 — University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees Policy on Policies
The University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees Policy on Policies (Policy #01.004), owned by the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, provides definitions of Administrative and Academic policies and provides guidance on the types of policies that require Board-level approval. The University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, working in collaboration with the President and the faculty through its representative Faculty Senate, is responsible for ensuring that the University of Rhode Island meets its educational goals as articulated in the institution’s mission. The Board is responsible for issuing high-level guidance and directives to meet this goal. Questions about this policy should be directed to the University of Rhode Island General Counsel. Detailed information about the Board of Trustees Policy on Policies can be found on the Administrative Policies website: https://web.uri.edu/policies/ (#21-22-25)
SECTION 2 — University of Rhode Island Policy on Policies
The University of Rhode Island Policy on Policies (Policy #01.101), owned jointly by the Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Faculty Senate President, provides definitions of Administrative and Academic policies and provides guidance on the development and approval of those policies. In addition, the policy provides information regarding regular review, promulgation, policy repositories, and archiving. Detailed information about the University of Rhode Island Policy on Policies can be found on the Administrative Policies website: https://web.uri.edu/policies/ When the Faculty Senate authorized migrating administrative policies previously listed in Appendix G to the Administrative Policies website, an error was introduced wherein Policy #80-1 regarding Faculty Senate jurisdiction over policies was inadvertently deleted. Since there is no evidence the Faculty Senate ever rescinded the missing Policy, it has been reposted here:
Policy #80-1, “Establishing Administrative Policy,” revised
(#21-22-24) (#21-22-25) (IFSR #2023-2024-3)
SECTION 3 — Search University of Rhode Island Administrative Policies
Administrative policies may be found in a repository of administrative policies maintained by the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance. https://web.uri.edu/policies/find/ (#21-22-25)
SECTION 4 — University of Rhode Island Research & Intellectual Property Policies
Research and Intellectual Property policies are legislated by Faculty Senate and Presidential action, as appropriate, and under oversight by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (https://web.uri.edu/research-admin/about/), and the Faculty Senate Research and Creative Activities Committee. The majority of all research policies at the University of Rhode Island are mandated requirements by federal and state legislation or rule making. University Committees with advisory or oversight roles governing administrative research policies can be found on the website of the Research Office (https://web.uri.edu/research-admin/about/committees/), and a comprehensive list of research and intellectual property policies is maintained within this Manual or on the University Administrative Policy Website (https://web.uri.edu/policies/) as appropriate. (#21-22-25)