Sub Change Matrix
Notification letter content – Letter to include
- a summary of the proposed change,
- the intended implementation date,
- the contact information (name, address, phone, and email), and
- the list of the complete physical address of external partner courses, off-campus site, or branch campus.
Notification letter content for Joint degree with a SACSCOC member institution and partner institutions that are all SACSCOC accredited – Letter to include
- a summary of the proposed change,
- the intended implementation date,
- a description of the agreement,
- the contact information for each participating institution (name, address, phone, and email), and
- the list of the complete physical address of external partner courses, off-campus site, or branch campus.
Notification letter content for Joint degree with a SACSCOC member institution and at least one partner institution that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor other than SACSCOC – Letter to include
- a summary of the proposed change,
- the intended implementation date,
- a description of the agreement,
- the contact information for each participating institution (name, address, phone, and email), and
- the list of the complete physical address of external partner courses, off-campus site, or branch campus,
- documentation that the non-SACSCOC partner institution is not on a public sanction with its accreditor,
- documentation that the courses or programs of the non-SACSCOC Partner institution(s) are consistent with the educational purpose and goals of the SACSCOC-accredited institution(s),
- documentation that the institution meets the provisions of Comprehensive Standard 3.4.7 (Consortial relationships/contractual agreements), including the analysis of credits accepted in transfer,
- a plan to monitor and ensure that the quality of contributions made by the partner institution(s) meets SACSCOC expectations,
- a plan and process produced by the SACSCOC-accredited institution(s) ensuring that the agreement and awarding of a joint award does not result in the appearance of extending SACSCOC accreditation to partner institutions through promotional materials, academic publications, student transcripts, credentials verifying program completion, and releases to the news media. (See the disclaimer statement), and
- prototypes of official academic documents (e.g. student transcript, degree, diploma, certificate) involved in the agreement.
Notification letter content for Joint degree with a SACSCOC member institution and at least one partner institution that is not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor other than SACSCOC – Provide a letter to include
- a summary of the proposed change,
- the intended implementation date,
- a description of the agreement,
- the contact information for each participating institution (name, address, phone, and email), and
- the list of the complete physical address of external partner courses, off-campus site, or branch campus,
- a description of (1) any external governmental or accrediting agency approval for the institution(s) or program(s) involved in the agreement, excluding the SACSCOC institution(s), (2) the process of quality assurance used by the agency granting this approval, and (3) any required legal or licensing approvals ,
- documentation that the courses or programs of the non-SACSCOC Partner institution(s) are consistent with the educational purpose and goals of the SACSCOC-accredited institution(s),
- documentation that the institution meets the provisions of Comprehensive Standard 3.4.7 (Consortial relationships/contractual agreements), including the analysis of credits accepted in transfer,
- documentation that faculty involved in the collaboration are qualified to teach assigned components or courses and a description of the means by which the SACSCOC-accredited institution(s) will monitor these qualifications (Submit a completed SACSCOC Faculty Roster Form.)
- documentation describing the physical and learning resources that will support the collaboration
- a plan and process produced by the SACSCOC-accredited institution(s) ensuring that the agreement and awarding of a joint award does not result in the appearance of extending SACSCOC accreditation to partner institutions through promotional materials, academic publications, student transcripts, credentials verifying program completion, and releases to the news media. (See the disclaimer statement), and
- prototypes of official academic documents (e.g. student transcript, degree, diploma, certificate) involved in the agreement.
Name Change – Provide a letter to include
- rationale for the proposed change,
- the intended implementation date,
- the proposed discontinuation date and old title, and
- the contact information (name, address, phone, and email).
Significant departure questions – To determine whether a new program is a “significant departure,” provide responses to the following questions:
- Will a significant number of new courses be required and what previously approved programs does the institution offer that are closely related to the new program and how are they related? (Complete Excel worksheet)
- Will significant additional equipment or facilities be needed?
- Will significant additional financial resources be needed?
- Will a significant number of new faculty members will be required?
- Will significant additional library/learning resources be needed?
Send responses to crobinson@uncc.edu
Teach-out Plans – A teach-out plan is a written plan developed by an institution that provides for the equitable treatment of students if an institution, or an institutional location that provides fifty percent or more of at least one program, ceases to operate before all students have completed their program of study, and may include, if required by the institution’s accrediting agency, a teach-out agreement between institutions. Teach-out plans must be approved by SACSCOC in advance of implementation.
A teach-out plan must include the following information:
- Date of closure (date when new students will no longer be admitted)
- An explanation of how affected parties (students, faculty, staff) will be informed of the impending closure
- An explanation of how all affected students will be helped to complete their programs of study with minimal disruption
- An indication as to whether the teach-out plan will incur additional charges/expenses to the students and, if so, how the students will be notified
- Signed copies of teach-out agreements with other institutions, if any
- How faculty and staff will be redeployed or helped to find new employment22
- If closing an institution, arrangement for the storing of student records, disposition of final financial resources and other assets
Teach-out Agreements
A teach-out agreement is a written agreement between institutions that provides for the equitable treatment of students and a reasonable opportunity for students to complete their program of study if an institution, or an institutional location that provides fifty percent or more of at least one program offered, ceases to operate before all enrolled students have completed their program of study. Such a teach-out agreement requires SACSCOC approval in advance of implementation.
For approval by SACSCOC, the agreement must be between institutions that are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, be consistent with applicable standards in the Principles of Accreditation and with SACSCOC policies, and provide for the equitable treatment of students by ensuring that:
- the teach-out institution has the necessary experience, resources, and support services to provide an educational program that is of acceptable quality and reasonably similar in content, structure, and scheduling to that provided by the closed institution; and
- the teach-out institution demonstrates that it can provide students access to the program(s) and services without requiring them to move or travel substantial distances.