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LU Policy Number: AS.048
Effective Date: 05/28/2020
Approval Date: 05/28/2020
Revised Date: 12/11/2020
Revision Approval Date: 03/11/21
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to establish institutional requirements, procedures, and processes for recognizing and approving accreditation substantive change(s) and ensuring timely notification and/or approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and/or applicable programmatic accrediting agency.
Life University reports changes in accreditation status to SACSCOC, and when necessary, gains approval for all substantive changes as required by SACSCOC, and/or applicable programmatic accrediting agency.
The University’s Accreditation Liaison is the individual responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented.
Additional Authority: Accreditation Liaison
Scope: Vice President for Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer, Academic Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, Dean of Students, and University Registrar.
Approval Authority: President
Responsible Authority: Academic Affairs-Accreditation Liaison
Recipients: All institutional members of Life University. The Accreditation Substantive Change Policy will reside on the University’s Policy website.
Publications: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accreditation policy manuals.
Definitions:
Substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope as defined by the applicable accrediting body. Substantive change includes high-impact changes and changes that can impact the quality of educational programs and services.
Accreditation Liaison will be appointed by the President of the University.
Policy Title
Accreditation Substantive Change Policy
Policy Statement
Overview:
Life University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and complies with SACSCOC’s Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. As such, Life University reports, and when necessary, gains approval for all substantive changes as required by SACSCOC, and/or applicable programmatic accrediting agency.
Procedure(s)
It is incumbent upon any institutional member considering a change that would be considered under any accreditation agency’s substantive change policy to contact the Accreditation Liaison. Please refer to the appropriate accrediting agency’s substantive change policy for the specific types and components included in the agency’s substantive change(s), specific procedures to be used for each, respective approval/notification requirements, and reporting timelines.
Any potential accreditation Substantive Change must be immediately reported to the Accreditation Liaison in order to determine necessary actions. The Accreditation Liaison will work with the appropriate institutional administrator(s), faculty, or staff and applicable accrediting agency personnel to ensure that correct procedures are followed.
Under no circumstances are accreditation Substantive Changes to be made without prior approval of the Accreditation Liaison, nor are any Substantive Change requests to be submitted to any accreditation agency by anyone other than the Accreditation Liaison; all accreditation Substantive Change requests will be made by the Accreditation Liaison, after conferring with and approval of the University President.
Means by Which LIFE U Informs SACSCOC of accreditation decisions of other agencies:
The Accreditation Liaison will be responsible to notify SACSCOC of any accreditation decisions from other accreditation agencies. While most programmatic accreditors notify regional accreditors of accreditation decisions, including any change in its status with the agency, the Accreditation Liaison will also notify SACSCOC, or applicable accrediting agency, within 30 days of accreditation decisions. The Accreditation Liaison will maintain an Accreditation
Tracking sheet to evidence each substantive change, notices to SACSCOC, and other accreditation actions.
Means by Which Institutional Members are Informed of the Life University Accreditation Substantive Change Policy and Procedure:
University Vice Presidents, Deans, Associate/Assistant Deans and Directors have a fundamental responsibility to be aware of the Accreditation Substantive Change policy and to assure that their faculty/staff are informed and adhere to this policy. Modifications to this policy are communicated to the above group via Administrative Council. This policy is also posted on the Life University website under University Policies
Other Notes
SACSCOC Substantive Change Policy and Procedures https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2019/08/SubstantiveChange.pdf
Council on Chiropractic, Manual of Policies (2020) Substantive Change Policy: Policy 1 https://www.cce-usa.org/uploads/1/0/6/5/106500339/2020-
01_cce_manual_of_policies current_.pdf
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