Policy Update 2026

Approved by the Senate and/or the Board of Governors

Core Research Platforms, Governance and Review of  May 13, 2026 (Senate) / June 10, 2026 (Board) (revised and renamed from Guidelines for the Governance and Review of Core Research Platforms (2020))

Guidelines for the Awarding of the Title Emerit to Professors, Presidents, and Chancellors  January 14, 2026 (supersedes Policy on the Awarding of the Title “Professor Emeritus/Emeriti”, May 17, 2017; Title of President Emeritus/Emerita, November 9, 1994; Chancellor Emeritus Title, June 10, 1992)

By-Laws of the Board of Governors (Appendix B – Banking Resolution: Schedule 2: McMaster University Authorized Bank Signers)  May 11, 2026

Faculty & Associate University Librarian (Librarian) Professional Expense Allowance Plan (PEA) Policy and Procedures  April 16, 2026, effective May 1, 2026 (also supersedes Faculty Professional Development Allowance Plan Policy and Procedures (2019), and Librarian Professional Development Allowance Policy and Procedures (2002))

Faculty of Engineering By-laws June 10, 2026

Faculty Professional Development Allowance Plan Policy and Procedures (2019) (terminated and superseded by Faculty & Associate University Librarian (Librarian) Professional Expense Allowance Plan (PEA) Policy and Procedures, above, April 16, 2026)

Faculty of Social Sciences By-laws  April 8, 2026

Fraternities, Sororities and Honour Societies, Policy on (2000) (terminated and superseded by Student Groups (Recognition, Risk Assessment and Event Planning), Policy on, April 8, 2026)

Graduate Course Management Policy  June 10, 2026, effective September 1, 2026

Librarian Professional Development Allowance Policy and Procedures (2002) (terminated and superseded by Faculty & Associate University Librarian (Librarian) Professional Expense Allowance Plan (PEA) Policy and Procedures, above, April 16, 2026)

Naming Policy and Procedures  June 11, 2026

Student Groups (Recognition, Risk Assessment and Event Planning), Policy on  April 8, 2026, effective May 1, 2026 (also supersedes Fraternities, Sororities and Honour Societies, Policy on, October 11, 2000)

Policy and Regulations on Academic Appointment, Tenure, and Promotion (“Tenure and Promotion Policy”)  April 8, 2026 / April 16, 2026, effective July 1, 2026 (revised and renamed from the McMaster University Revised Policy and Regulations with Respect to Academic Appointment, Tenure, and Promotion [2012] [Tenure and Promotion Policy])

Public Release of Student Feedback on the Course Experience (2020)  terminated June 10, 2026

Research Residuals Policy  June 11, 2026

Senate By-laws  June 10, 2026

Senate Committees Terms of Reference  June 10, 2026 (revised and separated from Senate By-laws document)

Tenure and Promotion Policy – Supplementary Policy Statements (SPSs)  April 8, 2026 / April 16, 2026, effective July 1, 2026

• SPS A2 – Conversion of an Individual Faculty Appointment  revised
• SPS A4 – Procedures for Other Appointments within the Faculty of Health Sciences  revised
• SPS A5 – Policy on Joint Appointments and Associate Memberships  revised
• SPS A6 – Academic Appointment and Assessment of Relatives  revised
• SPS A8 – Principles Governing Contractually Limited Appointments  revised
• SPS A9 – Allocation of Teaching-Stream Positions Across Faculties  revised
• SPS B1 – Procedures for the Assessment of Teaching  revised
• SPS B2 – Teaching Portfolios  revised
• SPS B4 – Statement on Academic Collaborators in Appointment, Tenure, CAWAR and Promotion Proceedings  revised and renamed from Statement on Academic Collaborators in Appointment, Tenure, Permanence and Promotion Proceedings
• SPS B5 – Procedures for Selection and Communication with External and Internal Referees (Except Those for Clinician Educators)  revised
• SPS B6 – Procedures for Selection and Communication with External and Internal Referees for Clinician Educators)  revised
• SPS B7 – Policy for Referees – Research Stream and Special-Stream Faculty  revised and renamed from Policy for Referees – Tenure-Stream Faculty
• SPS B8 – Policy for Referees – Teaching-Stream Faculty  revised
• SPS B9 – Policy for Referees – Clinician Educator Faculty  revised
• SPS B10 – Material Required by Senate Committee on Appointments on Recommendations for Re-Appointment, Tenure or CAWAR, and/or Promotion  revised and renamed from Material Required by Senate Committee on Appointments on Recommendations for Re-Apointment, Tenure, Permanence and/or Promotion
• SPS B11 – Curriculum Vitae Requirements  revised
• SPS B12 – Preparation of Dossiers for Re-Appointment, Tenure and/or Promotion  revised and renamed from Preparation of Dossiers for Re-Appointment, Tenure/Permanence and/or Promotion
• SPS B13 – Extension of Timeline for Academic Assessments in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic  revised
• SPS C1 – Research Leave Policy – Tenured Research and CAWAR Faculty  revised and renamed from Reserach Leave Policy – Tenured and CAWAR Faculty
• SPS C2 – Research Leave Policy – Tenured Teaching Faculty  revised and renamed from Research Leave Policy – Permanent Faculty
• SPS C3 – Unpaid Leaves of Absence  revised
• SPS C4 – Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy for Faculty and MUFA Librarians  revised
• SPS C5 – Faculty Reduced Workload Policy  revised
• SPS C6 – Faculty Reduced Workload Policy – Phase-in to Retirement  revised
• SPS D1 – Procedures for Faculty Appeal Tribunals  revised

Note: There were no revisions to SPS A1, A3, A7, A10, A11, A12, B3, or E1.

University Aid and Awards Policy  Mar 11, 2026