Monash University Policy Principles - Definitions

There is an implicit hierarchy in the university’s governance principles, ranging from mandatory to good practice, the most top-level comprising the legislation that frames the institution’s purposes and powers. This hierarchy can be depicted as follows:

• Monash University Act 1958
• Statutes
• Regulations
• Policies
• Procedures
• Business Rules
• Guidelines

The Monash University Act 1958 establishes the university, and the Council as the governing body, and provides generally for the governance of the university.

The statutes are pieces of legislation made by the Council under s.28 of the Monash University Act and, in accordance with that section, they make provision "for or with respect to (all) matters concerning the University". Changes are drafted by the university solicitors and signed off by the state Minister of Education.

Regulations are made under the statutes - their purpose is to "fill out" the particular statute. Regulations may be made by the Council, the Academic Board or any person or body specified in the governing statute - see Monash Act s.28 (2). Regulations are drafted by the university solicitors but do not have to be signed off by the minister.

A policy is a concise, formal and mandatory statement of principle which provides a framework for decision-making and a means by which the university reduces institutional risk. Policies support the university’s course for the foreseeable future and should therefore change infrequently.

Procedures set out the mandatory steps required to implement and comply with a policy and meet its intent. They specify who does what and when. Procedures may be reviewed and revised more frequently than policies.

Business rules define or constrain the university’s business practices. While business rules guide decision-making behaviour, they need not emanate from policy. They determine the day-to-day operation of an organisational unit. Business rules are often system-based and can change in response to new tools, new processes, or changes in the risks associated with an area.

Guidelines are non-mandatory approaches to the implementation of policies, procedures or business rules. They provide flexible “good practice” recommendations to assist those responsible for the implementation of policies, procedures and rules, and may include codes of conduct guiding behaviour.