The Saint Louis University Policy Program was created to provide structure and clarity to the review and approval process for policies at SLU.
The University Policy on Policies guides the policy program. The Office of Compliance and Ethics is dedicated to providing the appropriate guidance to SLU personnel working to create or update policies and procedures at the University. The policy process applies to University-wide policies, although units and departments wishing to follow best practices in policy implementation are welcome to contact the chief policy officer for assistance.
Approved policies can be found in PolicyStat.
Policies Currently Under Review
Principal Investigator Policy
Saint Louis University (SLU) is committed to ensuring that all individuals engaged in research activities understand their roles and responsibilities as Principal Investigators. The Principal Investigator (PI) is charged with conducting objective research that generates independent, high-quality, and reproducible results. PIs are responsible for the management and integrity of the design, conduct, and reporting of the research project and for managing, monitoring, and ensuring the integrity of any collaborative relationships. Regardless of sponsorship or funding source, the PI is responsible for conducting clinical and non-clinical research activities and projects in a manner that is ethical and compliant with all applicable university and sponsoring agency policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Proposed Principal Investigator Policy
Feedback on the Principal Investigator Policy will be accepted until 5 p.m., Nov. 18, 2024.
Pregnancy and Pregnancy Related Conditions for Students
This policy addresses the University's obligations under federal law to create an accessible environment through reasonable modifications in its educational programs and activities to all students and employees who are affected by pregnancy or related conditions.
The University prohibits discriminating against or excluding a student from an educational program or activity on the basis of pregnancy or related condition. This prohibition extends to any police, practice, or procedure concerning past, present, or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats the student, employee, or applicant differently on the basis of sex.
This policy includes the requirements that employees must follow when a student discloses a pregnancy or related condition as well as how reasonable modifications are offered to and accepted by students.
This process provides equal access to options and resources for pregnant students across campus. More information can be found here.
Pregnancy and Pregnancy Related Conditions for Students
Feedback on the Pregnancy and Pregnancy Related Conditions for Students will be accepted until 5 p.m., Nov. 22, 2024.
Recently Approved Policies
Revised Policies
Reporting Concerns of Misconduct Policy
Saint Louis University is committed to being compliant with federal, state, local laws (Spanish laws for the Madrid Campus), and university policy. The purpose of this policy is to establish the process to address reported concerns of misconduct.
The purpose of this policy, in conjunction with the Reporting Concerns of Misconduct Policy, is to support a university culture that encourages Saint Louis University community members to come forward to report suspected misconduct and/or participate in a misconduct investigation, and to aid in their protection against retaliation.
Externally Sponsored Proposals and Awards Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the submission of externally sponsored proposals, as well as the acceptance and management of sponsored awards received by the university. This policy outlines the principles that govern the university's interactions with sponsors, the roles and responsibilities of university personnel involved in sponsored proposals and awards, and the procedures for managing sponsored proposals and awards. Industry sponsored clinical trials are not covered within this policy.
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines regarding the review, execution and oversight of any and all proposed and existing agreements, whether written or oral, intended to create legally binding obligations on the University.
Signature Authority for University Contracts Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish the process for executing contracts on behalf of the university so that:
- The contract is reviewed and signed by a university representative with the requisite signature authority as delegated by the President of the University and
- All reviews and approvals required by university policies are obtained prior to execution of the contract.
Record Management and Retention Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish a records management governance structure for Saint Louis University that:
Meets business needs;
Preserves Saint Louis University's history;
Fulfills all federal, state, accreditation, and other legal and institutional requirements;
Maintains privacy and security of institutional and constituent information;
Retains access to records throughout required retention period;
Maintains a consistent, orderly, and effective process of records review and transfer;
More efficiently uses resources, to minimize the costs associated with retention of
records; and
Governs the appropriate destruction of outdated and unnecessary records.
New Policies
Employee Computer Refresh Policy
The purpose of this policy is to provide a centralized and coordinated computer hardware purchasing and refresh process for Saint Louis University that:
- Will allow the university to maintain appropriate chain of custody
- Will maintain an acceptable level of performance and security for university-owned computer assets
- Will predetermine refresh cycles for university computers to simplify budgeting
- Will increase university buying power for computers
- Will reduce overall support costs and improve system dependability and security
Interim Policies
Interim Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Policy
The purpose of this policy is to comply with new provisions of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and DoD regulations, as well as other relevant sponsor requirements. Federal agencies have defined concerns about inappropriate foreign interference by foreign governments over federally funded research. Such interference is not consistent with the core principles of the U.S. scientific research enterprise, which include transparency, integrity, and fair competition. One significant source of concern is malign foreign talent recruitment programs.
Interim Domestic or Sexual Abuse Leave Policy
The purpose of this policy is to support faculty and staff by providing leave and protection for employees who are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, or whose family or household members are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. This policy is intended to comply with Missouri's "Victims Economic Safety and Security Act" (VESSA).
About the Policy Program
The University policy program provides structure and clarity to the policy approval process (PDF). The policy program includes the following:
- The designation of a policy owner.
- A policy must have sponsorship by a responsible university official at the vice president or provost level. This will ensure adequate buy-in at the top with new policies
- Policies must use standard University templates. As they are updated, old policies will change to the new format.
- Policies will be moved into PolicyStat, the centralized policy library in mySLU:Tools.
- University policies will be reviewed and approved by the Policy Review Committee (PRC). After approval, new policies will be posted for a 30-day public feedback period. Following the 30-day feedback period for new policies, they will be reviewed and approved by the University Leadership Council (ULC) before final approval by the president. Updated policies will move straight from the PRC to the ULC.
- The PRC comprises individuals with operational knowledge of the University who can advise and provide feedback to the policy owners who present to the committee.
- The PRC meets at 9 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month.
Resources
- University Policy Template
- Policy Review Engagement Form
- SLU Policies
- Policy Style Guide
- PRC Charter
- Equity Lens Review (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a general policy question, contact Chief Policy Officer Michael Reeves, Ph.D., at 314-977-5880 or michael.reeves@health.slu.edu.
If you have a question about a specific policy, please contact the policy owner listed on the policy itself. This information can be found within PolicyStat.
During the review of new policies, there will be a 30-day feedback window for comments by the SLU community.
Approved policies can be found in PolicyStat.
New policies are to be reviewed on a triennial basis; current policies will be reviewed over the next few years as they come up for renewal.
The policy owner is responsible for ensuring adequate review by key end users. After this review, policies are first approved by the Policy Review Committee, then approved by the University Leadership Council, before final approval by the president.
A policy is a statement of University philosophy and direction established to guide and assist the University community in the conduct of University affairs. A University policy has broad application across the University, whereas a unit/department policy impacts only those specific areas.