July Policy Updates: Key Developments and Revisions

In our ongoing commitment to keeping policies current and our community informed of changes, these are the updates and policy notifications for July. Take a moment to review the information, and feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback.

New Policies: Endorsed for Development

We have introduced new policies that are currently in the development phase. These policies are essential for maintaining compliance and supporting effective organizational practices. To learn more about the new policies and their potential impact, visit the New & Recently Revised Policies list, where you can access the impact statement for each document.

• Managing Inadvertent Discoveries
  UND is a public research university operating on land with deep historical and cultural significance, and its activities – construction, renovation, excavation, and fieldwork – create a realistic possibility of encountering human remains, burial objects, culturally significant archaeological materials or cultural heritage features. Without a clear institutional guidance, such discoveries risk legal violations, cultural harm, and loss of federal funding. This procedure aligns the University with the requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), North Dakota Century Code § 23-06-27, and State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND) protocols, while affirming UND’s commitments to transparency and respectful engagement with Tribal Nations.
• Smudging
  UND is committed to supporting the religious and spiritual practices of all members of its community, including Indigenous cultural traditions. Smudging and incense use are permitted within the Indigenous Student Center, subject to protocols established and administered by the Indigenous Student Center. Outside of that designated space, smudging and open-flame incense burning are prohibited in all University buildings. Individuals seeking an exception to this policy must submit a request to the Smudging/Incense Exemption Review Committee.

New Policies: Approved for Implementation

The president has approved these documents after completing the development process. The responsible office and policy owners will now implement them.

• Marketing & Communications’ Mass Communication Channels
  UND designates the Division of Marketing & Communications (M&C) as the coordinating authority for the University mass communication channels identified in this policy. M&C establishes and upholds the standards governing how these channels are used, ensuring that messages reaching the broader University community are accurate, appropriate, and aligned with UND’s mission and values. Communications distributed through M&C-managed channels should be of broad institutional relevance. Their use must reflect responsible communication practices and comply with applicable federal and state laws and University policies. This policy governs only those mass communication channels directly administered by M&C. Academic, administrative, and student units retain full authority over their own unit-level communication channels.
• Brand, Identity & Licensing Management
  Protecting and consistently presenting the UND brand is a shared institutional responsibility. The Division of Marketing & Communications (M&C) and the Licensing & Trademark Office (Licensing) serve as the University’s coordinating authorities for brand, identity, and trademark use. All uses of the UND brand – across marketing, communications, print and digital content, sponsorships, retail, and environmental applications – must follow the standards and approval processes established by these offices. This requirement applies to all individuals, units, departments, organizations, and external partners acting on behalf of or in association with the University. Employment by, enrollment at, or affiliation with UND does not authorize personal or private use of University brand assets in a manner that implies University endorsement or sponsorship. Use of UND brand assets must follow the approval and licensing processes established in this policy. M&C training and review processes may allow qualified individuals to develop certain branded content independently, following demonstrated compliance with brand standards.

The president has extended interim approval of this document to allow for full policy development. Interim policies have the full force and effect of an institutional policy without completing the full policy development process.

• Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct (interim approval)
  All members of the University of North Dakota engaged in research must adhere to ethical standards to protect the accuracy and reliability of the research record and published research results. UND utilizes a framework to resolve allegations of research misconduct as timely as possible while protecting the rights and integrity of all individuals involved.

Revised Policies: Updates and Changes

We have revised several existing policies, making updates that range from editorial adjustments to more substantial changes. Editorial revisions aim to clarify language, streamline policy flow, and update essential information, such as contact details and hyperlinks.

Some revisions are more substantive and affect what is allowed, prohibited, or required to do. These adjustments ensure policies remain aligned with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Additionally, policies can undergo conforming updates to align them with external regulations and industry standards. This helps ensure our policies comply with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.

• ITAM – three-year review; editorial revisions
• Use of Controlled Substances in Research – multi-year review; editorial revisions
• Animals on Campus – conforming/editorial revisions
• Digital Accessibility – editorial revisions

For a full list of new and revised documents, please visit the New & Recently Revised Policies list. If you have questions or wish to provide feedback, we encourage you to contact the policy owner directly or submit your feedback electronically.

Stay up-to-date on the latest policy developments as we continue to improve and enhance our institution. Visit the Policy Office website for more information.