Writing F.A.I.R. Policies
Campus units can improve BYU by implementing their own written policies. Written policies are statements of principle that guide behavior. Written policies increase belonging among, understanding between, and good choices by those in a campus unit because they
- increase consistency,
- make visible information that might have been hidden, and
- make more widely available information that might have been known to only a few.
Written policies level the playing field and make it easier for everyone on campus to work together.
As you draft or revise written policies for your campus unit, consider making those policies F.A.I.R.:
- Focused
- Accurate
- Inclusive
- Readable
The following questions can help you determine if your campus unit policies will be F.A.I.R.—and stand up to the challenge of regular use.
Is your policy…
Focused?
- Is the policy specific to your department’s needs and practices? Does it avoid duplicating or contradicting university policy?
- Is the policy brief? Or would it make more sense to divide it into smaller policies? Might it be useful to create a policy—a general statement of principles—and a separate procedure—a specific statement of processes?
Accurate?
- Does the policy capture what actually happens in practice or what, in fact, campus unit leaders want to have happen?
- Does the policy avoid duplicating or contradicting university policy?
- Does the policy reflect the best thinking and experience of those who will be affected by the policy?
Inclusive?
- Does the policy include all essential information?
- Does the policy address common questions?
- Does the policy address exceptions or exceptional cases?
- Can users access the policy? Do they know where to find it?
Readable?
- Does the policy use clear and concise language?
- Does the policy use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
- Is the policy easy to understand, including for those who might be new to BYU or your campus unit (e.g., new freshman, transfer students, new-to-BYU employees, non-native English speakers)?
For more resources and tips about writing campus unit policies, please visit our Department Policy Guidelines.