Policies issued by the UNC Board of Governors, the WCU Board of Trustees, and the chancellor regulate the conduct of University activity to serve the interests of the University and its faculty, staff, and students in carrying out its missions. In addition, policies promulgated by the Vice Chancellors carry with them the approval of the Chancellor and thus demand the attention and compliance of University students and employees where applicable.

Compliance with the requirements of University policy is a condition of enrollment for University students and of employment for members of the faculty and staff. Violations of University policy can lead to disciplinary action including, in appropriate cases, expulsion of students or discharge from employment for members of the faculty and staff. It is therefore important that all members of the faculty and staff, and all members of the student body, are aware of the requirements of applicable University policies.

The numbered policies cited in this document include policies established by the Chancellor under delegated executive authority or mandated by virtue of Board of Governors policy or state/federal legislation. They may be searched on the internet numerically and alphabetically. These policies are maintained by the Office of the Chancellor and are subject to revision from time to time by appropriate authorities. The Office of the Chancellor has the sole responsibility for certifying the official versions of Western Carolina University policies.

At the bottom left-hand corner of each policy, informational notations have been included where necessary. Each policy will note when it was intially approved and which office is charged with administering the policy. Dates of subsequent revisions, if any, are also noted. Those policies which were initially approved as executive memoranda (1974-1998) also note the former numbering system which was in place.

Additional University policies fall under the purview of the four Vice Chancellors, the Chief Information Officer and their areas of responsibility. These policies may be found by contacting the office of each Vice Chancellor. Future plans call for linking with a webpage for each division which will include all pertinent University policies.