Any change to an Institute policy or procedure that will require campus-wide review and communication is a substantial revision to that policy or procedure.

Procedures are a series of consecutive action steps related to a policy that specifies how a particular process should be completed. Procedures include information on who, what, when, and where of the policy.

A Georgia Tech committee of faculty, students, and administrators appointed by the President who oversee the Institute Policy Development and Life Cycle Process, review all new or substantially revised administrative policies, and provide comments on academic policies.

The Georgia Tech faculty governance body or administrative unit primarily responsible for the implementation of an Institute policy. All policies are ultimately subject to the approval of the President and the authority of the Board of Regents.

A Georgia Tech faculty member, student, or staff member who proposes a new Institute policy or a change to an existing Institute policy.

Policies are statements that reflect the philosophies, attitudes, or values of Georgia Tech related to a specific issue. They are generally represented in a paragraph or two, not pages. They might say "what" but not "how." Procedures, standards, and guidelines all must implement, reflect, and support the applicable policy or policies.

Interim policies may be approved by the President to address matters that require immediate attention. Interim policies do not initially utilize the full Institute Policy Development and Life Cycle Process, but should undergo the full review process within one year of going into effect.

The standard process by which Institute policies gain Institute level review and approval. Within this standard process, there are three separate approval tracks for Faculty Handbook, Student Regulations, and Administrative Policies.

An Institute policy is a governing principle that mandates or constrains actions at Georgia Tech, supports the Institute’s mission and strategic goals, has Institute-wide application, and impacts a substantial number of members of the campus community (usually all students, all faculty and/or all staff). There are two types of Institute policy: Academic Policy and Administrative Policy.

Minor policy revisions or substantive changes to policies that are required due to change in law or compliance obligation may undergo an expedited review. Like regular policies, expedited policies will receive full review and approval; it will just be in a more condensed time frame. The ultimate decision if a policy qualifies for expedited review will be made by the Policy Steering Committee.