INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL

• Initiating programs at a lower degree level (P1)
• Initiating a branch campus (P1)
• Initiating a merger/consolidation (P3)
• Initiating any change in the established mission of the institution (P1)
• Relocating a main campus (P2)
• Initiating any change of legal status, governance, form of control, or ownership of the institution (P1)
• Closing an institution/program; initiating teach-out agreements (see Commission policy) (P1)

PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING (see SACS-COC Substantive Change policy for more detail)

P1: Procedure One – review of substantive changes requiring notification and approval prior to implementation

P2: Procedure Two – review of substantive changes requiring only notification prior to implementation

P3: Procedure Three – review and approval of consolidations/mergers

DEFINITIONS

Branch campus: defined as a location of an institution that is geographically apart and independent of the main campus of the institution. A location is independent of the main campus if the location is (1) permanent in nature, (2) offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential, (3) has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization, and (4) has its own budgetary and hiring authority.

Distance Learning: For the purposes of the Commission’s accreditation review, distance education is defined as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between students and instructors and among students) in a course occurs when students and instructors are not in the same place. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. A distance education course may employ correspondence study, or audio, video, or computer technologies.