Policies by Area

Policies are guiding principles at the Cabinet area or departmental level and are the means for managing the business of campus community in a consistent and orderly manner. Policies are tied to a campus-specific business process where a CSU policy does not provide sufficient guidance. They provide direction to the campus community on campus processes, activities, or functions.

The President has delegated policy-development responsibilities to the Academic Senate, the Vice President & Provost for Academic Affairs-related policies not undertaken by the Academic Senate, the Vice President & CFO for administrative, budgetary, and financial policies, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for policies affecting student affairs and enrollment management, the Vice President for University Advancement for policies affecting advancement, strategic communications, and fundraising activities, and the Vice President for University Enterprises for policies affecting Capital Design, Planning, and Construction, and other enterprise activities.

Below you will find links to policy pages for the Academic Senate, the Cabinet areas, and the campus auxiliary organizations.

In Academic Affairs, educational excellence and equity are our top priorities. Academic Affairs is composed of seven colleges and a broad array of offices that deliver the core educational mission of the University. The colleges comprise more than 75 schools and departments offering over 200 academic programs, majors, minors, concentrations and credential and certificate programs.

Administration & Finance (A&F) supports the mission of San Francisco State University by striving to provide levels of service that instill confidence, are responsive to our customers’ needs, and are dedicated to innovation in our design and delivery of services. A&F is successful when the business support services the University needs are timely, readily available, accessible, and delivered seamlessly, to our students, faculty, and staff campus community.

Student Affairs & Enrollment Management (SAEM) supports educational equity by facilitating innovative programs, services and strategies designed to positively impact all students' success and progression toward personal and academic goals. The link below provides important resources, including guidelines and principles governing SAEM.

The Advancement Services Team at SF State University follows advancement services best practices in Advancement Management, Gift Acknowledgement, Gift (Tax) Receipts, Records and Data Management, etc. as set forth by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP). Advancement Services has provided links to the most frequently referenced policies and procedures for gift acceptance, gift-in-kind donations and matching gift donations.

University Enterprises focuses on creating the spaces and opportunities that support the university’s mission. The division includes units focused on capital planning, design, construction, sustainability, and real estate management and development. It also includes The University Corporation, San Francisco State (UCorp), a not-for-profit public benefit corporation devoted to furthering the university's educational mission. 

The San Francisco State Academic Senate develops policies & procedures regarding faculty & administrative appointments, curriculum, business & fiscal matters, campus development, academic standards, University goals; examples of which include the following:

  • Academic and professional standards;
  • Appointment and review of academic administrators;
  • Business and fiscal matters;
  • Campus development;
  • Curriculum and instruction;
  • Faculty appointment, retention, tenure, promotion, leave and dismissal;
  • Library and research;
  • Matters about the welfare and excellence of the university;
  • Mission and goals;
  • Student affairs, admissions, retention, awarding of grades and graduation.

SF State Foundation

SF State Foundation is a University organization dedicated solely to philanthropy. The SF State Foundation has a number a policies and procedures designed to ensure transparency and integrity throughout the business process.