The personnel policies and procedures and statement of academic freedom and tenure for the faculty, other officers and professional and operating staff of the university, and the statement of rights and responsibilities of students of the university in force on September 5, 1975, shall be read, construed and have effect as if they were prescribed by the board of trustees created in this chapter; provided, that the board shall prescribe such amendments as it deems necessary and proper and that no person shall be deprived of any right or benefit earned prior to September 5, 1975.