Recently Updated Policies

Comprehensive review. Major revision. 1. Defines responsibilities, specifically defining final authority for University Marketing Communications. 2. Clarifies language throughout the policy. 3. Establishes University Brand Website as the source of truth for all parameters regarding Brand Standards. 4. Contacts and definitions also updated.

Adding potential owner trespass language, clarify additional IACUC approval, update titles/contacts/dept
and policy names

Comprehensive Review:

• Updated title: Administrative Policy: Data Classification & Security Level
• Clarified and provided additional guidance in policy statement section
• Defined sections, definitions, and examples for Data Classification and Security Level
• Added further clarification to distinguish between Data Classification and Security Level
• Data Security Classification Responsibilities: Header & layout change
• Added 2 new Frequently Asked Questions
• New definitions for the following: Availability, Confidentiality, Integrity
• Updated definition for: Data, IT Resources, and University Data to keep consistent across policies

Comprehensive Review. Revisions are meant to allow for: 1) Closer alignment with related BOR policy: Commercialization of Intellectual Property Rights (suggested revisions made by or in consultation with OGC) a) In Subdivision 1 of the BOR policy, ownership is not limited to inventions and software created within research at the UMN. If, for example, someone (i.e. an employee or student) conceives of an invention in the course of their employment or using substantial university resources, Tech Comm would use the same evaluation process as an idea emanating from research. 

Changes: (1) Title -- removed “ arising from research” (2) Adding “ student” ; “ creation of” ; “ employment” (3) Linking to rather than summarizing BOR policy (2) Clarity in policy (in addition to Tech Comm’ s website / adjoining procedure) about: (a) submitter’ s obligation to report in order to meet any potential sponsor or Federal reporting requirements (b) Expectations for what constitutes a complete report of invention / software (c) What is an invention? -- added a USPTO definition of an “ invention”

Comprehensive review. Enactment by the Minnesota Legislature of the Minnesota Paid Leave Law ("Law"). The Law's implementation impacts other leave policies of the University requiring minor policy changes to promote consistency and clarity regarding the various leaves available to employees.

Comprehensive Review. Enactment by the Minnesota Legislature of the Minnesota Paid Leave Law ("Law"). The Law's implementation impacts other leave policies of the University requiring minor policy changes to promote consistency and clarity regarding the various leaves available to employees. MN Paid leave provides two types of partially paid leave: Medical Leave for an employee's serious health condition and Family Leave covering leave to care for relatives, bonding leave, leave to support a military family member called to active duty, leave to respond to certain personal safety issues. The amendments to this policy result in two policies that are more aligned with the new MN Paid Leave Law: Faculty, Academic Professional and Administrative Employee Medical Leave and Academic Disability Program (Self) and Faculty, Academic Professional and Administrative Employee Medical Leave (Family). The amendments also permit the use of the leave for ESST reasons.

Comprehensive review. Enactment by the Minnesota Legislature of the Minnesota Paid Leave Law ("Law"). The Law's implementation impacts other leave policies of the University requiring minor policy changes to promote consistency and clarity regarding the various leaves available to employees. The changes clarify that parental leave is available only to those becoming parents and that the leave will run concurrent with the unpaid Minnesota Pregnancy and Parenting Leave (Minn. Stat. sec. 181.941) as well as FMLA and MN Paid Leave when taken for bonding purposes.

In 2025, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry clarified that all time banks that can be used for sick time must also be available for ESST-eligible absences. To meet this new guidance, the University expanded the use of existing sick banks and the use of Paid Medical Leave and Academic Disability for Faculty, and Academic Professionals and Administrative Employees, creating overlap between programs. Ending the separate ESST bank simplifies time-away benefits and aligns the University’s practices with other major Minnesota employers. Overall, employees will have greater access to paid time off when they need it most.

Employees who do not have a traditional sick bank or Academic Disability will continue to accrue ESST and are not impacted by this change. This includes temporary and casual employees, student workers, and professionals in training. Labor-represented employees’ sick leave benefits, including ESST, will continue to be governed by their applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Comprehensive review. The policy: "Paid Medical Leave and Disability Benefits for Faculty and Academic Professional and Administrative Employees" has been split into 2 policies, one addressing employee leave benefits, and one addressing benefits relating to family members.

Comprehensive Review. Enactment by the Minnesota Legislature of the Minnesota Paid Leave Law ("Law"). The Law's implementation impacts other leave policies of the University requiring minor policy changes to promote consistency and clarity regarding the various leaves available to employees. MN Paid leave provides two types of partially paid leave: Medical Leave for an employee's serious health condition and Family Leave covering leave to care for relatives, bonding leave, leave to support a military family member called to active duty, leave to respond to certain personal safety issues. The amendments to this policy result in two policies that are more aligned with the new MN Paid Leave Law: Faculty, Academic Professional and Administrative Employee Medical Leave and Academic Disability Program (Self) and Faculty, Academic Professional and Administrative Employee Medical Leave (Family). The amendments also permit the use of the leave for ESST reasons.

Comprehensive review. Combined policy and procedure language into the policy and organized for improved clarity. Removed outdated references to align with current practices.