Policy Memo

Policy Memo Order Description Write a memo to a key person (e.g., to the board chair, president, faculty leader) that briefly describes the key governance issues at play and formulates detailed advice regarding how the person (and his/her institution) should respond (or should have responded). Please include concepts from the course readings as appropriate. Think of your role as a consultant�formal or informal�with expertise in higher education. The major parts of this memo include: Brief identification of key facts as they relate to the institution and the issue, problem or opportunity. Recommendation(s) for specific actions that should be taken and justification for why these are appropriate steps. Recommendations should include details about any constituencies to be consulted, and how and why they should be consulted. Justification and rationale for your chosen recommendations (can be derived from the specifics of the case, the case�s resemblance to institutional peers, course texts, or theories, and texts well-known in higher education or organizational theory). Intentional formatting and structure that frames topics and enables the reader to move quickly through the document. Some tips for writing memos: Include an executive summary. The visual layout of the memo is almost as important as its content. Think about how the layout on the page affects the reader�s ease in reading and understanding the recommendations offered in the memo. Avoid repeating key facts from the case. Instead frame their meaning. This might be achieved through the inclusion of 3-4 short bullets, defining trends or pointing out inter-relationships. Get to the point � don�t bury the lead. The first or second section should let the reader know where you are headed. Specific recommendations do not have to come only at the end. Recommendations should have detail about who, what, where, when and how. They should not be vague statements of direction. Think carefully about how the local, state, national, global, historical, societal and political contexts have implications for each case. Adjectives should be chosen carefully to add precision to the understanding of the point being made, not just as a way to add extra words to the memo. Avoid superlatives or overly flowery language. When you make assumptions be certain they are backed by facts and rationale to add real meaning, not just to add to a story.