Policy, Regulation or Rule?
The following terminology is used to define and indicate the source of authority for the issuance of various policies, regulations and rules (PRRs) by which the institution governs itself. Policies, regulations and rules directly or substantially affect procedural or substantive rights and duties of individuals that interact with the University.
Policy: A “Policy” is any standard, statement, or procedure of general applicability adopted by the Board of Trustees as required by federal or state law, or as required or delegated by the Board of Governors or UNC System Policy. The creation or revision of a Policy may be initiated by the NC State Board of Trustees, the Chancellor or an Executive Officer with delegated authority.
Policies must be approved by the Board of Trustees.
Regulation: A “Regulation” is any standard, statement or procedure of general applicability throughout the university adopted by the chancellor or an executive officer pursuant to delegated authority. Regulations address matters that fall within the scope of the Chancellor’s delegated authority to administer the institution.
The Chancellor, Executive Officer with delegated authority and Chancellor’s Cabinet have the authority to approve Regulations
Rule: A “Rule” is a standard, statement or procedure adopted by an academic or administrative unit pursuant to authority delegated by a Policy or Regulation or to address specific subject matters that are limited in scope to a particular unit’s operational functions. A Rule may supplement but not conflict with policies and regulations. The creation or revision of a Rule may be initiatied by any academic or administrative unit with the approval of the Executive Officer with delegated authority.
The Executive Officer with delegated authority in REG 01.25.05 has the authority to approve a Rule. Academic unit Rules other than those that are required to be established by the UNC System or NC State policies or regulations must be approved by the Dean of the applicable college or the Vice Provost of the applicable academic unit. Rules to not need to be approved by Chancellor’s Cabinet.
Responsible Official: A “Responsible Official” is charged with responsibility for development and oversight of a PRR. Responsible Officials for the purposes of PRRs include the Chancellor, Executive Officers who have delegated authority as set forth in REG 01.25.05, and other administrators specifically designated by the Chancellor or such Executive Officers to develop a University Regulation or Rule. Each PRR shall have at least one Responsible Official.
A note about standard operating procedures:
Standard operating procedures are drafted, revised and maintained by individual units and departments to which they apply. They do not appear on the PRR website, but may be linked to existing PRRs as “Additional References”.