An academic university policy:

• Defines rules and parameters for the establishment and governance of academic programs
• Provides a framework for the delivery of academic services to students
• Regulates the conduct of student and faculty academic and research work 
• Supports the University’s mission of teaching, research and service
• Is formally approved by the Senate
• Is periodically reviewed according to a formal review process

A non-academic university policy:

• states the university’s position on matters which have a university-wide application;
• embodies the university’s governing principles and helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• enhances the university’s mission or reduces institutional risk;
• changes infrequently;
• is formally approved by the UPEI Board of Governors;
• is a statement of “what” and/or “why”;
• addresses major operational processes;
• is periodically reviewed according to a formal review process.

A university procedure:

• articulates the method by which a policy is carried out;
• outlines a set of instructions, often in detail, that must be followed in order to achieve a specific purpose or outcome;
• identifies roles and responsibilities;
• is prone to change;
• is a statement of “how”, “when”, and/or sometimes “who”;
• is periodically reviewed according to a formal review process.

A statement of operating procedure:

• is a set of step-by-step instructions on execution of routine operations;
• is task-oriented;
• identifies responsibilities over tasks;
• usually includes forms and templates to facilitate execution of tasks;
• is under the responsibility of the respective department/faculty/school;
• is formally approved by the department head;
• is periodically reviewed according to a formal review process.