SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges’ Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) has a substantive change policy that is driven by U.S. Department of Education regulations (34 CFR 602.22). Substantive change is a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution. The types of substantive change and the procedures for addressing them appropriately may be found in the Commission’s policy on substantive change and its substantive changes website.

Substantive changes can be addressed in several ways. In the SACS-COC substantive change policy, the approach is based on reporting requirements, i.e., is notification and approval required before implementation of a substantive change, is just notification required, or is something else required. While this is convenient for a regulatory entity, a university is more likely to consider such changes from an organizational level approach such as (1) Program/Course Level, (2) School/College/Department Level, and (3) Institutional Level.

If a department, school, or college is contemplating changes at the Program/Course Level that would:
(a) expandsignificantly a current degree program;
(b) add courses or programs that would represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those offered currently;
(c) initiate programs or courses offered through a contractual agreement or consortium;
(d) change significantly the length of a program;
(e) initiate degree completion programs; or
(f) initiate programs at the associate degree level;

then the University may have to obtain approval or at least notify SACS-COC before the change can be implemented. More information about these changes can be found here.

If a department, school, or college is contemplating changes at the School/College/Department Level that would result in:
(a) initiating an off-campus site;
(b) initiating distance learning; or
(c) adding significant changes in existing technology-based delivery systems in distance learning; then the University may have to obtain approval or at least notify SACS-COC before the change can be implemented. More information about these changes can be found here.

Finally, if the University is contemplating one of the following Institutional Level changes:
(a) initiating a branch campus;
(b) initiating a merger/consolidation;
(c) initiating any change in the established mission of the institution;
(d) relocating a main campus;
(e) initiating any change of legal status, governance, form of control, or ownership of the institution; or
(f) closing an institution/program and initiating teach-out agreements);
then the University may have to obtain approval or at least notify SACS-COC before the change can be implemented. More information about these changes can be found here.

Please contact the University’s SACS-COC Accreditation Liaison for more information and for procedures to follow to obtain the necessary approvals prior to implementation of the proposed action. The Accreditation Liaison will make quarterly “scans” of the vice presidents and deans to learn of any actions contemplated or in progress that will qualify as substantive changes and thus require compliance with this policy.

Neal E. Armstrong
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and SACS-COC Accreditation Liaison
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
MAI 201, G1000
(512) 232-3305
neal_armstrong@mail.utexas.edu