NECHE Accreditation

The institution’s mission and purposes are appropriate to higher education, consistent with its charter or other operating authority, and implemented in a manner that complies with the Standards of the New England Commission of Higher Education.  The institution’s mission gives direction to its activities and provides a basis for the assessment and enhancement of the institution’s effectiveness.

1.1 The mission of the institution defines its distinctive character, addresses the needs of society, identifies the students the institution seeks to serve, and reflects both the institution’s traditions and its vision for the future.  The institution’s mission provides the basis upon which the institution identifies its priorities, plans its future, and evaluates its endeavors; it provides a basis for the evaluation of the institution against the Commission’s Standards.

1.2 The institution’s mission statement is formally adopted by the governing board and appears in appropriate printed and digital institutional publications.

1.3 The institution’s purposes are concrete and realistic and further define its educational and other dimensions, including scholarship, research, and public service. Consistent with its mission, the institution endeavors to enhance the communities it serves.

1.4 The mission and purposes of the institution are accepted and widely understood by its governing board, administration, faculty, staff, students, and sponsoring entity (if any). They provide direction to the curricula and other activities and form the basis on which expectations for student learning are developed. Specific objectives, reflective of the institution’s overall mission and purposes, are developed by the institution’s individual units.

1.5 The institution periodically evaluates the content and pertinence of its mission and purposes, ensuring they are current and provide overall direction in planning, evaluation, and resource allocation.

The institution undertakes planning and evaluation to accomplish and improve the achievement of its mission and purposes.  It identifies its planning and evaluation priorities and pursues them effectively.  The institution demonstrates its success in strategic, academic, financial, and other resource planning and the evaluation of its educational effectiveness.

2.1 Planning and evaluation are systematic, comprehensive, broad-based, integrated, and appropriate to the institution.  They involve the participation of individuals and groups responsible for the achievement of institutional purposes and include external perspectives.  Results of planning and evaluation are regularly communicated to appropriate institutional constituencies.  The institution allocates sufficient resources for its planning and evaluation efforts.

2.2 Institutional research is sufficient to support planning and evaluation.  The institution systematically collects and uses data necessary to support its planning efforts and to enhance institutional effectiveness. (See also 8.6, 8.7).

Planning

2.3 The institution plans beyond a short-term horizon, including strategic planning that involves realistic analyses of internal and external opportunities and constraints.  The results of strategic planning are implemented in all units of the institution through financial, academic, enrollment, and other supporting plans.

2.4 The institution plans for and responds to financial and other contingencies, establishes feasible priorities, and develops a realistic course of action to achieve identified objectives.  Institutional decision-making, particularly the allocation of resources, is consistent with planning priorities.

2.5 The institution has a demonstrable record of success in implementing the results of its planning.

Evaluation

2.6 The institution regularly and systematically evaluates the achievement of its mission and purposes, the quality of its academic programs, and the effectiveness of its operational and administrative activities, giving primary focus to the realization of its educational objectives.  Its system of evaluation is designed to provide valid information to support institutional improvement.  The institution’s evaluation efforts are effective for addressing its unique circumstances.  These efforts use both quantitative and qualitative methods.

2.7 The institution’s principal evaluation focus is the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of its academic programs.  Evaluation endeavors and systematic assessment are demonstrably effective in the improvement of academic offerings, student learning, and the student experience.  Systematic feedback from students, former students, and other relevant constituencies is a demonstrable factor in institutional improvement.

2.8 The institution has a demonstrable record of success in using the results of its evaluation activities to inform planning, changes in programs and services, and resource allocation.

The institution has a system of governance that facilitates the accomplishment of its mission and purposes and supports institutional effectiveness and integrity.  Through its organizational design and governance structure, the institution creates and sustains an environment that encourages teaching, learning, service, scholarship, and where appropriate, research and creative activity.  It demonstrates administrative capacity by assuring provision of support adequate for the appropriate functioning of each organizational component.  The institution has sufficient autonomy and control of its programs and operations consistent with its mission to be held directly accountable for meeting the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation.

3.1 The authority, responsibilities, and relationships among the governing board, administration, faculty, staff, and sponsoring entity (if any) are clearly described in the institution’s by-laws, or an equivalent document, and in a table of organization that displays the working order of the institution.  The board, administration, staff, faculty, and sponsoring entity understand and fulfill their respective roles as set forth in the institution’s official documents and are provided with the appropriate information to undertake their respective roles. 

3.2 The institution’s organizational structure, decision-making processes, and policies are clear and consistent with its mission and support institutional effectiveness.  The institution’s system of governance involves the participation of all appropriate constituencies and includes regular communication among them.

Governing Board

3.3 The governing board is the legally constituted body ultimately responsible for the institution’s quality and integrity.  Where the institution’s ownership or affiliation structure or other circumstances or requirements may involve more than one legally constituted body with authority, the institution demonstrates that the governing body with direct responsibility for the institution’s quality and integrity has sufficient autonomy and control to be held accountable for meeting the Commission’s Standards and to ensure that it can act in the institution’s best interest and that the legally constituted bodies with authority have an aligned understanding of their respective roles.

3.4 The board assures representation of the public interest in its composition and reflects the areas of competence needed to fulfill its responsibilities.  Two-thirds or more of the board members, including the chair, are free of any personal or immediate familial financial interest in the institution, including as employee, stockholder or shareholder, corporate director, or contractor.

3.5 Members of the governing board understand, accept, and fulfill their responsibilities as fiduciaries to act honestly and in good faith in the best interest of the institution toward the achievement of its educational purposes in a manner free from conflicts of interest.

3.6 In multi-campus systems organized under a single governing board, the division of responsibility and authority between the system office and the institution is clear.  Where system and campus boards share governance responsibilities or dimensions of authority, system policies and procedures are clearly defined and equitably administered relative to the mission of the institution.

3.7 The board has a clear understanding of the institution’s distinctive mission and exercises the authority to ensure the realization of institutional mission and purposes.  The board approves and reviews institutional policies; monitors the institution’s fiscal condition; and approves major new initiatives, assuring that they are compatible with institutional mission and capacity.  These policies are developed in consultation with appropriate constituencies.  The board assures that the institution periodically reviews its success in fulfilling its mission and serving its students.  The Board is effective in helping the institution make strategic decisions and confront unforeseen circumstances.  It regularly reviews the institution’s systems of enterprise risk management, external audits, regulatory compliance, internal controls, and contingency management.  The board assures appropriate attention is given to succession planning for institutional leadership and, where applicable, the composition of the board itself.

3.8 The board systematically develops, ensures, and enhances its own effectiveness through orientation, professional development, effective self-assessment, and regular evaluation including an external perspective.  The board addresses its goals for diversity within its membership.  Its role and functions are effectively carried out through appropriate committees and meetings.

3.9 Utilizing the institutional governance structure, the board establishes and maintains appropriate and productive channels of communication among its members and with the institutional community.

3.10 The board appoints and periodically reviews the performance of the chief executive officer whose full-time or major responsibility is to the institution.

3.11 The board delegates to the chief executive officer and, as appropriate, to others the requisite authority and autonomy to manage the institution compatible with the board’s intentions and the institution’s mission.  In exercising its fiduciary responsibility, the governing board assures that senior officers identify, assess, and manage risks and ensure regulatory compliance.

Internal Governance

3.12 The chief executive officer, through an appropriate administrative structure, effectively manages the institution so as to fulfill its purposes and objectives and establishes the means to assess the effectiveness of the institution.  The chief executive officer manages and allocates resources in keeping with institutional purposes and objectives and assesses the effectiveness of the institution.  The chief executive officer assures that the institution employs faculty and staff sufficient in role, number, and qualifications appropriate to the institution’s mission, size, and scope.

3.13 In accordance with established institutional mechanisms and procedures, the chief executive officer and senior administrators consult with faculty, students, other administrators, and staff, and are appropriately responsive to their concerns, needs, and initiatives.  The institution’s internal governance provides for the appropriate participation of its constituencies, promotes communications, and effectively advances the quality of the institution.

3.14 The institution’s chief academic officer is directly responsible to the chief executive officer, and in concert with the faculty and other academic administrators, is responsible for the quality of the academic program.  The institution’s organization and governance structure assure the integrity and quality of academic programming however and wherever offered.   Off-campus, continuing education, distance education, correspondence education, international, evening, and weekend programs are clearly integrated and incorporated into the policy formation, academic oversight, and evaluation system of the institution. (See also 4.5)

3.15 The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of the curriculum with its faculty.  Faculty have a substantive voice in matters of educational programs, faculty personnel, and other aspects of institutional policy that relate to their areas of responsibility and expertise. (See also 6.2)

3.16 The system of governance makes provisions for consideration of student views and judgments in those matters in which students have a direct and reasonable interest.

3.17 Through its system of board and internal governance, the institution ensures the appropriate consideration of relevant perspectives; decision-making aligned with expertise and responsibility; and timely action on institutional plans, policies, curricular change, and other key considerations.

3.18 The institution using contractual arrangements, consortial or other written agreements involving credits and degrees, the delivery of coursework, the assessment of student achievement, or the recruitment or support of students regularly reviews the effectiveness of such arrangements and negotiates appropriate changes.  Consistent with Commission policy, the institution maintains sufficient control over the arrangements to ensure quality in the academic program and services for students and prospective students, including the ability to modify the agreements as needed.  Written agreements provide for the termination or phasing out of such arrangements as circumstances warrant, and the institution develops appropriate exit strategies as needed. (See also 4.36)

3.19 The effectiveness of the institution’s organizational structure and system of governance is improved through regular and systematic review.

The institution’s academic programs are consistent with and serve to fulfill its mission and purposes.  The institution works systematically and effectively to plan, provide, oversee, evaluate, improve, and assure the academic quality and integrity of its academic programs and the credits and degrees awarded.  The institution sets a standard of student achievement appropriate to the degree or certificate awarded and develops the systematic means to understand how and what students are learning and to use the evidence obtained to improve the academic program.

4.1 The institution offers collegiate-level programs consisting of a curriculum of studies that leads to a degree in a recognized field of study and requires at least one year to complete.  The institution for which the associate’s degree is the highest awarded offers at least one program in liberal studies or another area of study widely available at the baccalaureate level of regionally accredited colleges and universities.

4.2 The institution publishes the learning goals and requirements for each program.  Such goals include the knowledge, intellectual and academic skills, competencies, and methods of inquiry to be acquired.  In addition, if relevant to the program, goals include creative abilities and values to be developed and specific career-preparation practices to be mastered.

4.3 Programs leading to degrees or other awards have a coherent design and are characterized by appropriate breadth, depth, continuity, sequential progression, and synthesis of learning.  Coherence is demonstrated through learning goals, structure, and content; policies and procedures for admission, retention, and completion; instructional methods and procedures; and the nature, quality, and extent of student learning and achievement.

4.4 The institution offering multiple academic programs ensures that all programs meet or exceed the basic quality standards of the institution and that there is a reasonable consistency in quality among them.  The institution provides sufficient resources to sustain and improve its academic programs.

Assuring Academic Quality

4.5 Through its system of academic administration and faculty participation, the institution demonstrates an effective system of academic oversight, assuring the quality of the academic program wherever and however it is offered. (See also 3.14)

4.6 The institution develops, approves, administers, and on a regular cycle reviews its academic programs under institutional policies that are implemented by designated bodies with established channels of communication and control.  Review of academic programs includes evidence of student success and program effectiveness and incorporates an external perspective.  Faculty have a substantive voice in these matters.

4.7 The institution undertakes academic planning and evaluation as part of its overall planning and evaluation to enhance the achievement of institutional mission and program objectives.  These activities are realistic and take into account stated goals and available resources.  Additions and deletions of programs are consistent with institutional mission and capacity, faculty expertise, student needs, and the availability of sufficient resources required for the development and improvement of academic programs.  The institution allocates resources on the basis of its academic planning, needs, and objectives.

4.8 The institution undertaking substantive changes (e.g., the initiation of degrees at a higher or lower level, off-campus programs, programs that substantially broaden the scope of the academic offerings, distance learning programs, correspondence education programs, competency- and mastery-based programs, contractual relationships involving courses and programs, academic programs overseas) demonstrates its capacity to undertake and sustain such initiatives and to assure that the new academic programming meets the standards of quality of the institution and the Commission’s Standards and policies.  In keeping with Commission policy, the institution initiating substantive changes seeks Commission approval prior to implementation.  The institution recognizes and takes account of the increased demands on resources made by programs offered at a higher degree level.

4.9 When programs are eliminated or program requirements are changed, the institution makes appropriate arrangements for enrolled students so that they may complete their education with a minimum of disruption.  In the case of program elimination, the institution prepares a teach-out plan consistent with Commission policy. 

4.10 If the institution depends on resources outside its direct control (for example, classrooms, information resources, information technology, testing sites), a written agreement ensures the reasonable continued availability of those resources.  Clear descriptions of the circumstances and procedures for the use of such resources are readily available to students who require them. (See also 7.21)

4.11 Students completing an undergraduate or graduate program demonstrate collegiate-level skills in the English language.

4.12 Expectations for student achievement, independent learning, information literacy, skills in inquiry, and critical judgment are appropriate to the subject matter and degree level and in keeping with generally accepted practice.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

4.13 Undergraduate degree programs are designed to give students a substantial and coherent introduction to the broad areas of human knowledge, their theories and methods of inquiry, plus in-depth mastery of at least one disciplinary or interdisciplinary area.  Programs have an appropriate rationale; their clarity and order are visible in stated requirements in official publications and in student records.

4.14 Each undergraduate program includes a general education requirement and a major or concentration requirement.  At the baccalaureate level, curricula include substantial requirements at the advanced undergraduate level, with appropriate prerequisites.  The institution also affords undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue knowledge and understanding through unrestricted electives.

4.15 Graduates successfully completing an undergraduate program demonstrate competence in written and oral communication in English; the ability for scientific and quantitative reasoning, for critical analysis and logical thinking; and the capability for continuing learning, including the skills of information literacy.  They also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific, historical, and social phenomena, and a knowledge and appreciation of the aesthetic and ethical dimensions of humankind.

General Education

4.16 The general education program is coherent and substantive.  It reflects the institution’s mission and values and embodies the institution’s definition of an educated person and prepares students for the world in which they will live.  The requirement informs the design of all general education courses, and provides criteria for its evaluation, including the assessment of what students learn.

4.17 The general education requirement in each undergraduate program ensures adequate breadth for all degree-seeking students by showing a balanced regard for what are traditionally referred to as the arts and humanities, the sciences including mathematics, and the social sciences.  General education requirements include offerings that focus on the subject matter and methodologies of these three primary domains of knowledge as well as on their relationships to one another.

4.18 The institution ensures that all undergraduate students complete at least the equivalent of 40 semester credits in a bachelor’s degree program, or the equivalent of 20 semester credits in an associate’s degree program in general education.

The Major or Concentration

4.19 The major or area of concentration affords the student the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in a specific disciplinary or clearly articulated interdisciplinary area above the introductory level through properly sequenced course work or competencies.  Requirements for the major or area of concentration are based upon clear and articulated learning objectives, including a mastery of the knowledge, information resources, methods, and theories pertinent to a particular area of inquiry.  Through the major or concentration, the student develops an understanding of the complex structure of knowledge germane to an area of inquiry and its interrelatedness to other areas of inquiry.  For programs designed to provide professional training, an effective relationship exists between curricular content or competencies and effective practice in the field of specialization.  Graduates demonstrate an in-depth understanding of an area of knowledge or practice, its principal information resources, and its interrelatedness with other areas.

Graduate Degree Programs

4.20 Graduate degree programs are designed to give students a mastery of a complex field of study or professional area.  Programs have an appropriate rationale; their clarity and order are visible in stated requirements, in relevant official publications, and in the learning outcomes of graduates.  Learning objectives reflect the high level of complexity, specialization, and generalization inherent in advanced academic study.

4.21 Graduate programs are not offered unless resources and expectations exceed those required for an undergraduate program in a similar field.

4.22 Faculty responsible for graduate programs are sufficient by credentials, experience, number, and time commitment for the successful accomplishment of program objectives and program improvement.  The scholarly expectations of faculty exceed those expected for faculty working at the undergraduate level.  Research-oriented graduate programs have a preponderance of active research scholars on their faculties.  Professionally-oriented programs include faculty who are experienced professionals making scholarly contributions to the development of the field.

4.23 Students admitted to graduate degree programs are demonstrably qualified for advanced academic study.

4.24 The institution’s graduate programs have cohesive curricula and require scholarly and professional activities designed to advance the student substantially beyond the educational accomplishments of a baccalaureate degree program.  The demands made by the institution’s graduate programs on students’ intellectual and creative capacities are also significantly greater than those expected at the undergraduate level; graduate programs build upon and challenge students beyond the levels of knowledge and competence acquired at the undergraduate level.  The institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs assesses the relationship and interdependence of the two levels and utilizes the results for improvement.  Doctoral-level programs build upon and challenge students beyond the levels of knowledge and competence acquired at the master’s level.

4.25 Degree requirements of the institution’s graduate programs take into account specific program purposes.  Research-oriented doctoral programs, including the Ph.D., and disciplinary or research-oriented master’s degree programs, are designed to prepare students to generate new knowledge; they emphasize the acquisition, organization, utilization, generation, and dissemination of knowledge.  Doctoral degree programs afford the student substantial mastery of the subject matter, theory, literature, and methodology of a significant field of study.  They include a sequential development of research skills leading to the attainment of an independent research capacity.  Students undertake original research that contributes to new knowledge in the chosen field of study.  Disciplinary or research-oriented master’s programs have many of the same objectives but require less sophisticated levels of mastery in the chosen field of study than does the research doctorate.  While they need not require students to engage in original research, they do provide an understanding of research appropriate to the discipline and the manner in which it is conducted.

4.26 Professional, performance, or practice-oriented programs at the doctoral or master’s degree levels are designed to prepare students for professional careers involving the application or transmission of existing knowledge or the development of new applications of knowledge within their field.  Such programs afford the student a broad conceptual mastery of the field of professional practice through an understanding of its subject matter, literature, theory, and methods.  They seek to develop the capacity to identify, evaluate, interpret, organize, and communicate knowledge, and to develop those analytical and professional skills needed to practice in and advance the profession.  Instruction in relevant research methodology is provided, directed toward the appropriate application of its results as a regular part of professional practice.  Programs include the sequential development of professional skills that will result in competent practitioners.  Where there is a hierarchy of degrees within an area of professional study, programs differ by level as reflected in the expected sophistication, knowledge, and capacity for leadership within the profession by graduates.

4.27 Programs encompassing both research activities and professional practice define their relative emphases in program objectives that are reflected in curricular, scholarly, and program requirements.

4.28 Students who successfully complete a graduate program demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and developed the skills that are identified as the program’s objectives.

Transfer Credit

4.29 In accepting undergraduate transfer credit from other institutions, the institution applies policies and procedures that ensure the credit accepted reflects appropriate levels of academic quality and is applicable to the student’s program.  The institution’s policies for considering the transfer of credit are publicly available to students and prospective students on its website and in other communications.  The information includes the criteria established by the institution regarding the transfer of credit earned at another institution of higher education along with a list of institutions with which it has articulation agreements. (See also 9.18)

4.30 The institution protects academic quality and integrity in the acceptance of transfer credit and seeks to establish articulation agreements with institutions from which and to which there is a significant pattern of student transfer.  Such agreements are made available to those students affected by them.

4.31 In accepting transfer credit, the institution exercises the responsibility to ensure that students have met its stated learning outcomes of programs at all degree levels.  The institution does not erect barriers to the acceptance of transfer credit that are unnecessary to protect its academic quality and integrity.  The acceptance of transfer credit does not substantially diminish the proportion of intermediate and advanced coursework in a student’s academic program.

4.32 At the graduate level, the institution accepts credit in transfer on a strictly limited basis to preserve the integrity of the degree awarded.

Integrity in the Award of Academic Credit

4.33 The institution’s degrees and other forms of academic recognition are appropriately named, following practices common to American institutions of higher education in terms of length, content, and level of the programs.  The institution ensures that minimum degree requirements are 60 semester credits at the associate’s level; 120 semester credits at the baccalaureate level; and 30 semester credits at the master’s level.  The institution demonstrates restraint in requiring credits above the minimum for undergraduate degrees.

4.34 The institution offering competency-based programs, including through direct assessment, produces a transcript for each student showing the credit equivalencies of the competencies attained, in order to demonstrate the comparability of the program and provide students and graduates with transcripts facilitating evaluation of their achievements by other academic institutions and outside entities.  Commission Standards and policies regarding the award of credit guide institutions offering competency-based programs to ensure that such programs are at least equivalent in breadth, depth, and rigor.  The institution certifies the attainment of competencies for students who have achieved the stated objectives only at levels at or approaching excellence.

4.35 The institution offers required and elective courses as described in publicly available print and digital formats with sufficient availability to provide students with the opportunity to graduate within the published program length.

4.36 The institution demonstrates its clear and ongoing authority and administrative oversight for the academic elements of all courses for which it awards institutional credit or credentials.  These responsibilities include course content, the specification of required competencies, and the delivery of the instructional program; selection, approval, professional development, and evaluation of faculty; admission, registration, and retention of students; evaluation of prior learning; and evaluation of student progress, including the awarding and recording of credit.  The institution retains, even with contractual, dual enrollment, or other arrangements, responsibility for the design, content, and delivery of courses for which academic credit or degrees are awarded.  The institution awarding a joint, dual, or concurrent degree demonstrates that the program is consistent with Commission policy and that the student learning outcomes meet the institution’s own standards and those of the Commission. (See also 3.18)

4.37 The evaluation of student learning or achievement and the award of credit or certification of competencies are based upon clearly stated criteria that reflect learning objectives and are consistently and effectively applied.  They are appropriate to the degree level at which they are applied.

4.38 Credit awards are consistent with Commission policy and the course content, appropriate to the field of study, and reflect the level and amount of student learning.  The award of credit is based on policies developed and overseen by the faculty and academic administration.  There is demonstrable academic content for all experiences for which credit is awarded, including study abroad, internships, independent study, experiential learning, and service learning.  No credit toward graduation is awarded for pre-collegiate-level or remedial work designed to prepare the student for collegiate study.

4.39 Credit for prior experiential or non-collegiate sponsored learning is awarded only with appropriate oversight by faculty and academic administration and is limited to 25% for credentials of 30 credits or fewer.  When credit is awarded on the basis of prior experiential or non-collegiate sponsored learning alone, student learning and achievement are demonstrated to be at least comparable in breadth, depth, and quality to the results of institutionally provided learning experiences.  The policies and procedures for the award of credit for prior or experiential learning are clearly stated and available to affected students.

4.40 Students complete at least one-fourth of their undergraduate credits, including substantial advanced work in the major or concentration, at the institution awarding the degree.

4.41 The institution that advances students through their academic programs through transfer or articulation agreements, dual or concurrent enrollment, prior learning assessment, credit recommendation services, or other extra-institutional arrangements evaluates the effectiveness of such arrangements to ensure student achievement in institutionally offered coursework validates the suitability of the credit awards.

4.42 The institution publishes requirements for continuation in, termination from, or re-admission to its academic programs that are compatible with its educational purposes.  Decisions about the continuing academic standing of enrolled students are based on clearly stated policies and applied by faculty and academic administrators.

4.43 Graduation requirements are clearly stated in appropriate publications and are consistently applied in the degree certification process.  The degrees awarded accurately reflect student attainments.

4.44 Faculty, with administrative support, ensure the academic integrity of the award of grades and certification of competencies, where applicable, and credits for individual courses.  The institution works to prevent cheating and plagiarism as well as to deal forthrightly with any instances in which they occur.  It works systematically to ensure an environment supportive of academic integrity.

4.45 The institution offering programs and courses for abbreviated or concentrated time periods or via distance or correspondence learning demonstrates that students completing these programs or courses acquire levels of knowledge, understanding, and competencies equivalent to those achieved in similar programs offered in more traditional time periods and modalities.  Programs and courses are designed to ensure an opportunity for reflection and for analysis of the subject matter.

4.46 Courses and programs offered for credit off campus, through dual enrollment, through distance or correspondence education, or through continuing education, evening, or weekend divisions are consistent with the educational objectives of the institution.  Such activities are integral parts of the institution and maintain the same academic standards as courses and programs offered on campus.  Faculty and students receive sufficient support for instructional and other needs.  Students have ready access to and support in using appropriate learning resources.  The institution maintains direct and sole responsibility for the academic quality of all aspects of all programs and assures adequate resources to maintain quality. (See also 5.9)

4.47 All students, including those enrolled in off-campus courses, distance learning courses, correspondence education courses, and/or competency-based programs have sufficient opportunities to interact with faculty regarding course content and related academic matters.

4.48 The institution offering distance education or correspondence education has procedures through which it establishes that the student who registers for such a course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the program and receives the academic credit.  In carrying out these procedures, the institution protects student privacy.

4.49 The institution offering certificates, badges, and other forms of academic recognition based on competencies or courses offered for credit ensures the coherence and level of academic quality are consistent with its degree programs.

Consistent with its mission, the institution sets and achieves realistic goals to enroll students who are broadly representative of the population the institution wishes to serve.  The institution addresses its own goals for the achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion among its students and provides a safe environment that fosters the intellectual and personal development of its students.  It endeavors to ensure the success of its students, offering the resources and services that provide them the opportunity to achieve the goals of their educational program as specified in institutional publications.  The institution’s interactions with students and prospective students are characterized by integrity and equity.

5.1  The institution that enrolls multiple student bodies, by degree level, modality, location, or other variables, ensures that it meets the expectations set forth in this Standard for each of its student bodies.

Admissions

5.2  Consistent with its mission, the institution describes the characteristics of the students it seeks to serve.  This description informs recruitment and admissions activities and the academic and other support programs and services available to students. (See also 9.18)

5.3  The institution has an orderly and ethical program of recruitment and admission that complies with the requirements of legislation concerning equality of educational opportunity.  Its admission and retention policies and procedures are clear, consistent with its mission and purposes, and available to all students and prospective students in appropriate printed and digital institutional publications.  The institution ensures the integrity of its admissions standards and processes through regular evaluation. (See also 9.18)

5.4  Standards for admission ensure that student qualifications and expectations are compatible with institutional objectives.  Individuals admitted demonstrate through their intellectual and personal qualifications a reasonable potential for success in the programs to which they are admitted.  If the institution recruits and admits individuals with identified needs that must be addressed to assure their likely academic success, it applies appropriate mechanisms to address those needs so as to provide reasonable opportunities for that success.  Such mechanisms receive sufficient support and are adequate to the needs of those admitted.  The institution endeavors to integrate specifically recruited populations into the larger student body and to assure that they have comparable academic experiences.

5.5 The institution utilizes appropriate methods of evaluation to assess student readiness for collegiate study and provides services sufficient to serve the needs of students admitted.

5.6  The institution demonstrates its ability to admit students who can be successful in the institution’s academic program, including specifically recruited populations.  The institution’s goals for retention and graduation reflect institutional purposes, and the results are used to inform recruitment and the review of programs and services. (See also 8.6)

Student Services and Co-Curricular Experiences

5.7  The institution ensures a systematic approach to providing accessible and effective programs and services designed to provide opportunities for enrolled students to be successful in achieving their educational goals.  The institution provides students with information and guidance regarding opportunities and experiences that may help ensure their educational success.

5.8  The institution systematically identifies the characteristics and needs of its student population and then makes provision for responding to them.  The institution’s student services are guided by a philosophy that reflects the institution’s mission and special character, is circulated widely and reviewed periodically, and provides the basis on which services to students can be evaluated. (See also 8.4)

5.9  The institution offers an array of student services, including physical and mental health services, appropriate to its mission and the needs and goals of its students.  It recognizes the variations in services that are appropriate for residential students, at the main campus, at off-campus locations, and for distance education programs as well as the differences in circumstances and goals of students pursuing degrees. (See also 4.46)

5.10  The institution provides advising and academic support services appropriate to the student body.  The institution’s faculty and professional staff collectively have sufficient interaction with students outside of class to promote students’ academic achievement and provide academic and career guidance.

5.11  A clear description of the nature, extent, and availability of student services is readily available to students and prospective students.  Newly enrolled students are provided with an orientation that includes information on student services as well as a focus on academic opportunities, expectations, and support services.

5.12  In providing services, in accordance with its mission and purposes, the institution adheres to both the spirit and intent of equal opportunity and its own goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion. (See also 9.5)

5.13  Student financial aid is provided through a well-organized program.  Awards are based on the equitable application of clear and publicized criteria.

5.14  Through a systematic program, the institution regularly provides students before borrowing with clear and timely information about cost, debt, and repayment. (See also 9.23)

5.15  As appropriate, the institution provides co-curricular activities and supports opportunities for student leadership and participation in campus organizations and governance.

5.16  If the institution offers recreational and athletic programs, they are subordinate to the educational program and conducted in a manner that adheres to institutional mission, sound educational policy, and standards of integrity.  The institution is responsible for the control of these programs, including their financial aspects.  The institution maintains the same academic expectations for and affords the same academic opportunities to student athletes as other students.

5.17  The institution ensures that individuals responsible for student services are qualified by formal training and work experience and organizationally placed to represent and address the needs of students effectively.  Personnel, facilities, technology, and funding are adequate to implement the institution’s student services policies and procedures.

5.18  The institution has identified, published widely, and implemented an appropriate set of clearly stated ethical standards to guide student services.  Policies on student rights and responsibilities, including student conduct and grievance procedures, are clearly stated, well publicized and readily available, and fairly and consistently administered.

5.19  Following regulatory guidance, the institution has publicly available policies regarding the kinds of information that will be included in the permanent academic record of students as well as policies regarding the retention, safety and security, and disposal of records.  Its information-release policies respect the rights of individual privacy, the confidentiality of records, and the best interests of students and the institution.

5.20  Through a program of regular and systematic evaluation, the institution assesses the effectiveness of its efforts to achieve an equitable educational experience for all of its students and the appropriateness and effectiveness of its student services to advance institutional purposes.  Information obtained through this evaluation is used to revise these efforts and services and improve their achievement. (See also 8.4)

The institution supports teaching and learning through a well-qualified faculty and academic staff, who, in structures and processes appropriate to the institution, collectively ensure the quality of instruction and support for student learning.  Scholarship, research, and creative activities receive support appropriate to the institution’s mission. The institution’s faculty has primary responsibility for advancing the institution’s academic purposes through teaching, learning, and scholarship.

Faculty and Academic Staff

6.1  Faculty categories (e.g., full-time, part-time, clinical, research, professor-of-practice, adjunct) are clearly defined by the institution as is the role of each category in fulfilling the institution’s mission.  All faculty are appropriately integrated into the department/division and institution and have appropriate opportunities for professional development.  Where teaching assistants are employed, the institution carefully selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates them.  The composition of the faculty reflects the institution’s mission, programs, and student body and is periodically reviewed.  The institution’s use of all categories of faculty and teaching assistants to conduct instruction is regularly assessed, properly overseen, and consistent with its mission.

6.2  There are an adequate number of faculty and academic staff, including librarians, advisors, and instructional designers, whose time commitment to the institution is sufficient to assure the accomplishment of class and out-of-class responsibilities essential for the fulfillment of institutional mission and purposes.  Responsibilities include instruction, accessibility to students, and the systematic understanding of effective teaching/learning processes and outcomes in courses and programs for which they share responsibility; additional duties may include, e.g., student advisement, academic planning, and participation in policy-making, course and curricular development, research, and institutional governance. (See also 3.15)

6.3  The preparation and qualifications of all faculty and academic staff are appropriate to the nature of their assignments.  Qualifications are measured by advanced degrees held, evidence of scholarship, advanced study, creative activities, and teaching abilities, as well as relevant professional experience, training, and credentials.

6.4  The institution employs an open and orderly process for recruiting and appointing its faculty.  Faculty participate in the search process for continuing members of the instructional staff.

6.5  The institution ensures equal employment opportunity consistent with legal requirements and any other dimensions of its choosing.  Compatible with its mission and purposes, it addresses its own goals for the achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion among its faculty and academic staff and assesses the effectiveness of its efforts to achieve those goals (See also 9.5).  Hiring reflects the effectiveness of this process and results in a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, training, and experience.  Each prospective hire is provided with a written agreement that states explicitly the nature and term of the initial appointment and, when applicable, institutional considerations that might preclude or limit future appointments.

6.6  Salaries and benefits are set at levels that ensure the institution’s continued ability to attract and retain appropriately qualified faculty and academic staff whose profiles are consistent with the institution’s mission and purposes.  Faculty and academic staff are provided with substantial opportunities for continued professional development throughout their careers.

6.7  Faculty assignments are consistent with the institution’s mission and purposes.  They are equitably determined to allow faculty adequate time to provide effective instruction, advise and evaluate students, contribute to program and institutional assessment and improvement, continue professional growth, and participate in scholarship, research, creative activities, and service compatible with the mission and purposes of the institution.  Faculty assignments and workloads are reappraised periodically and adjusted as institutional conditions change.

6.8  In a handbook or in other written documents that are current and readily available, the institution defines the responsibilities of faculty and other members of the instructional team; the criteria for their recruitment, appointment, retention, evaluation, promotion, and, if applicable, tenure; and policies for resolving grievances.

6.9  The institution has a statement of expectations and processes to ensure that faculty act responsibly and ethically, observe the established conditions of their employment, and otherwise function in a manner consistent with the mission and purposes of the institution.

6.10  Faculty are demonstrably effective in carrying out their assigned responsibilities.  The institution employs effective procedures for the regular evaluation of appointments, performance, and retention.  The evaluative criteria reflect the mission and purposes of the institution and the importance it attaches to the various responsibilities of, e.g., teaching, advising, assessment, scholarship, creative activities, research, and professional and community service.  The institution has equitable and broad-based procedures for such evaluation in which its expectations are stated clearly and weighted appropriately for use in the evaluative process.

6.11  The institution defines the scholarly expectations for faculty consistent with its mission and purposes and the level of degrees offered.  Through their scholarly pursuits, all faculty are current in the theory, knowledge, skills, and pedagogy of their discipline or profession.  Scholarship and instruction are mutually supportive.

6.12  The institution protects and fosters academic freedom for all faculty regardless of rank or term of appointment.

6.13  When instruction, advising, and support for students are carried out by a variety of faculty and academic and other professionals, the institution ensures that personnel in each category have the academic and professional qualifications appropriate to their roles.  The governance system ensures that the experiences and data gathered by each group are coordinated, shared, and reviewed collectively for purposes of improving the academic program and services for students.

6.14  The institution periodically evaluates the sufficiency of and support for academic staff and their effectiveness in teaching and advising, scholarship, service, and as appropriate to institutional mission, research, and creative activity.  The results of these evaluations are used to enhance fulfillment of the institution’s mission.

Teaching and Learning

6.15  The content and methods of instruction meet generally accepted academic and professional standards and expectations, and considerations of educational improvement are informed by a shared understanding of what and how students are learning in their academic program.

6.16  Instructional techniques and delivery systems are compatible with and serve to further the mission and purposes of the institution as well as the learning goals of academic programs and objectives of individual courses.  Methods of instruction are appropriate to the students’ capabilities and learning needs.

6.17  The institution endeavors to enhance the quality of teaching and learning wherever and however courses and programs are offered.  It encourages experimentation to improve instruction.  The effectiveness of instruction is regularly and systematically assessed using valid procedures; the results are used to improve instruction.  Faculty and academic staff accept their responsibility to improve instructional effectiveness.  Adequate support is provided to accomplish this task.

6.18  Students in each major are taught by a variety of faculty to ensure their exposure to different academic strengths and viewpoints.  The institution offering multiple sections of the same course ensures an appropriate balance between consistency in learning outcomes and flexibility, allowing students to benefit from individual faculty members’ expertise and teaching style.

6.19  The institution’s system of academic advising meets student needs for information and advice compatible with its educational objectives. The quality of advising is assured regardless of the location of instruction or the mode of delivery.

6.20  Consistent with its mission and purposes, the institution provides support for scholarship, research, and creative activities.  Faculty and students undertake research to an extent reflective of the level and nature of the degrees awarded.  Policies and procedures related to research are communicated throughout the institution.

The institution has sufficient human, financial, information, physical, and technological resources and capacity to support its mission.  Through periodic evaluation, the institution demonstrates that its resources are sufficient to sustain the quality of its educational program and to support institutional improvement now and in the foreseeable future.  The institution demonstrates, through verifiable internal and external evidence, its financial capacity to graduate its entering class.  The institution administers its resources in an ethical manner and assures effective systems of enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, internal controls, and contingency management.

Human Resources

7.1  The institution employs sufficient and qualified personnel to fulfill its mission. It addresses its own goals for the achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion among its personnel and assesses the effectiveness of its efforts to achieve those goals. (See also 9.5)

7.2  Human resources policies are readily available, consistently applied, and periodically reviewed.  Policies provide for the fair redress of grievances.

7.3  Terms of employment are clear, and compensation is adequate to ensure that the institution can attract and retain qualified administrators, faculty, and staff.  The institution employs effective procedures for the regular evaluation of all personnel.  The institution ensures sufficient opportunities for professional development for administrators, faculty, and staff. 

Financial Resources

7.4  The institution preserves and enhances available financial resources sufficient to support its mission. It manages its financial resources and allocates them in a way that reflects its mission and purposes.  It demonstrates the ability to respond to financial emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.

7.5  The institution is financially stable.  Ostensible financial stability is not achieved at the expense of educational quality. Its stability and viability are not unduly dependent upon vulnerable financial resources or an historically narrow base of support.

7.6  The institution’s multi-year financial planning is realistic and reflects the capacity of the institution to depend on identified sources of revenue and ensure the advancement of educational quality and services for students. 

7.7  The governing board understands, reviews, and approves the institution’s financial plans based on multi-year analysis and financial forecasting. 

7.8  The board retains appropriate autonomy in all budget and finance matters; this includes institutions that depend on financial support from a sponsoring entity (state, church, or other private or public entity).

7.9  All or substantially all of the institution’s resources are devoted to the support of its education, research, and service programs.  The institution’s financial records clearly relate to its educational activities.

7.10  The institution and its governing board regularly and systematically review the effectiveness of the institution’s financial aid policy and practices in advancing the institution’s mission and helping to ensure that the institution enrolls and supports the student body it seeks to serve.

7.11  The institution ensures that it has sufficient professionally qualified finance staff, led by a chief financial officer whose primary responsibility to the institution is reflected in the organizational chart.

7.12  The institution ensures the integrity of its finances through prudent financial management and organization, a well-organized budget process, appropriate internal control mechanisms, risk assessment, and timely financial reporting to internal and external constituency groups, providing a basis for sound financial decision-making.

7.13  The institution establishes and implements its budget after appropriate consultation with relevant constituencies in accord with realistic overall planning that provides for the appropriate integration of academic, student service, fiscal, development, information, technology, and physical resource priorities to advance its educational objectives.

7.14  The institution’s financial planning, including contingency planning, is integrated with overall planning and evaluation processes.  The institution demonstrates its ability to analyze its financial condition and understand the opportunities and constraints that will influence its financial condition and acts accordingly.  It reallocates resources as necessary to achieve its purposes and objectives.  The institution implements a realistic plan for addressing issues raised by the existence of any operating deficit.

7.15  Opportunities identified for new sources of revenue are reviewed by the administration and board to ensure the integrity of the institution and the quality of the academic program are maintained and enhanced.  The institution planning a substantive change demonstrates the financial and administrative capacity to ensure that the new initiative meets the standards of quality of the institution and the Commission’s Standards.

7.16  Institutional and board leadership ensure the institution’s ethical oversight of its financial resources and practices.

7.17  The institution prepares financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  The annual audit is prepared by an auditor external to the institution in accord with generally accepted auditing standards adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  Board policies and institutional practices ensure the independence and objectivity of the auditor and the appropriate consideration of the audit by the governing board.  For institutions whose financial statements are included and audited as part of a larger system or corporation, the system or corporation financial statements separately disclose financial information for each component institution to support a determination regarding the sufficiency and stability of the institution’s financial resources.  In all cases, the audit and management letter are appropriately reviewed by the institution’s administration and governing board who take appropriate action on resulting recommendations or conclusions.

7.18  The institution directs its fundraising efforts toward the fulfillment of institutional purposes and conducts them in accordance with policies that stipulate the conditions and terms under which gifts are solicited and accepted.  The institution’s gift acceptance policies protect the institution’s academic freedom and integrity.  The institution accurately represents itself and its capacities and needs to prospective donors and accurately portrays the impact that their gifts can reasonably be expected to have.  Gifts are promptly directed toward donors’ intentions.

7.19  All fiscal policies, including those related to budgeting, investments, insurance, risk management, contracts and grants, internal transfers and borrowing, fundraising, and other institutional advancement and development activities, are clearly stated in writing and consistently implemented in compliance with ethical and sound financial practices.

7.20  The institution has in place appropriate internal and external mechanisms to evaluate its financial status including fiscal condition, working capital, capital projects, cash flow requirements, and financial management.  The institution uses the results of these activities for improvement and to maintain institutional integrity.

Information, Physical, and Technological Resources

7.21  The institution has sufficient and appropriate information, physical, and technological resources necessary for the achievement of its purposes wherever and however its academic programs are offered.  It devotes sufficient resources to maintain and enhance its information, physical, and technological resources. (See also 4.10)

7.22  The institution provides access to library and information resources, services, facilities, and qualified staff sufficient to support its teaching and learning environments and its research and public service mission as appropriate.

7.23  Facilities are constructed and maintained in accordance with legal requirements to ensure access, safety, security, and a healthy environment with consideration for environmental and ecological concerns. 

7.24  The institution’s physical and electronic environments provide an atmosphere conducive to study and research. 

7.25  The institution demonstrates the effectiveness of its policies and procedures in ensuring the reliability of its technology systems, the integrity and security of data, and the privacy of individuals.  The institution establishes and applies clear policies and procedures and monitors and responds to illegal or inappropriate uses of its technology systems and resources.  It has disaster and business continuity plans and recovery policies and procedures that are regularly evaluated and updated.

7.26  The institution effectively uses information technology to ensure its efficient ability to plan, administer, and evaluate its program and services.

The institution demonstrates its effectiveness by ensuring satisfactory levels of student achievement on mission-appropriate student outcomes.  Based on verifiable information, the institution understands what its students have gained as a result of their education and has useful evidence about the success of its recent graduates.  This information is used for planning and improvement, resource allocation, and to inform the public about the institution.  Student achievement is at a level appropriate for the degree awarded.

8.1  The institution enrolling multiple student bodies, by degree level, location, modality, or other variables, develops and uses the data, evidence, and information below for each student body.

8.2  The institution provides clear public statements about what students are expected to gain from their education, academically and, as appropriate to the institution’s mission, along other dimensions (e.g., civic engagement, religious formation, global awareness).  Goals for students’ education reflect the institution’s mission, the level and range of degrees and certificates offered, and the general expectations of the larger academic community.

8.3  Assessment of learning is based on verifiable statements of what students are expected to gain, achieve, demonstrate, or know by the time they complete their academic program.  The process of understanding what and how students are learning focuses on the course, competency, program, and institutional level.  Assessment has the support of the institution’s academic and institutional leadership and the systematic involvement of faculty and appropriate staff.

8.4  The institution with stated goals for students’ co-curricular learning systematically assesses their achievement. (See also 5.8, 5.20)

8.5  The institution uses a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods and direct and indirect measures to understand the experiences and learning outcomes of its students, employing external perspectives including, as appropriate, benchmarks and peer comparisons.

8.6  The institution defines measures of student success and levels of achievement appropriate to its mission, modalities and locations of instruction, and student body, including any specifically recruited populations.  These measures include rates of progression, retention, transfer, and graduation; default and loan repayment rates; licensure passage rates; and employment.  The institution ensures that information about student success is easily accessible on its website. (See also 2.2, 5.6, 9.22)

8.7  The institution uses additional quantitative measures of success, such as further education, civic participation, religious formation, and others, as appropriate to its mission, to understand the success of its recent graduates.  Information from students and former students is regularly considered. (See also 2.2, 9.22)

8.8  The results of assessment and quantitative measures of student success are a demonstrable factor in the institution’s efforts to improve the curriculum and learning opportunities and results for students.

8.9  The institution devotes appropriate attention to ensuring that its methods of understanding student learning and student success are valid and useful to improve programs and services for students and to inform the public.

8.10  The institution integrates the findings of its assessment process and measures of student success into its institutional and program evaluation activities and uses the findings to inform its planning and resource allocation and to establish claims the institution makes to students and prospective students. (See also 9.22)

The institution subscribes to and advocates high ethical standards in the management of its affairs and in its dealings with students, prospective students, faculty, staff, its governing board, external agencies and organizations, and the general public.  Through its policies and practices, the institution endeavors to exemplify the values it articulates in its mission and related statements.  In presenting the institution to students, prospective students, and other members of the public, the institutional website provides information, including information about student success, that is complete, accurate, timely, readily accessible, clear, and sufficient for intended audiences to make informed decisions about the institution.

Integrity

9.1  The institution expects that members of its community, including the board, administration, faculty, staff, and students, will act responsibly, ethically, and with integrity; and it systematically supports the pursuit thereof.  Institutional leadership fosters an atmosphere where issues of integrity can be openly considered, and members of the institutional community understand and assume their responsibilities in the pursuit of integrity. The pursuit of institutional integrity is strengthened through the application of findings from periodic and episodic assessments of the policies and conditions that support the achievement of these aims among members of the institutional community.

9.2  Truthfulness, clarity, and fairness characterize the institution’s relations with all internal and external constituencies.  Adequate provision is made to ensure academic honesty.  Appropriate policies and procedures are in effect and periodically reviewed for matters including intellectual property rights, the avoidance of conflict of interest, privacy rights, and fairness in dealing with students, faculty, and staff.  The institution’s educational policies and procedures are equitably applied to all its students.

9.3  The institution is committed to the free pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.  It assures faculty and students the freedom to teach and study, to examine all pertinent data, to question assumptions, and to be guided by the evidence of scholarly research.

9.4  The institution observes the spirit as well as the letter of applicable legal requirements.  It has a charter and/or other formal authority from the appropriate governmental agency authorizing it to grant all degrees it awards; it has the necessary operating authority for each jurisdiction in which it conducts activities; and it operates within this authority.

9.5  The institution adheres to non-discriminatory policies and practices in recruitment, admissions, employment, evaluation, disciplinary action, and advancement. It fosters an inclusive atmosphere within the institutional community that respects and supports people of diverse characteristics and backgrounds. (See also 5.12, 6.5, 7.1)

9.6  The institution manages its academic, research and service programs, administrative operations, responsibilities to students, and interactions with prospective students with honesty and integrity.

9.7  The institution is responsible for all activities that are sponsored by the institution or carry its name.  These activities are compatible with the institution’s mission and are administered within its organizational structure.  The institution assumes responsibility for the appropriateness and integrity of such activities.

9.8  The institution has established and publicizes clear policies ensuring institutional integrity.  Included among them are appropriate policies and procedures for the fair resolution of grievances brought by faculty, staff, or students.

9.9  In its relationships with the Commission, the institution demonstrates honesty and integrity, and it complies with the Commission’s Standards, policies, Requirements of Affiliation, and requests.  It notifies the Commission regarding adverse events and circumstances.

9.10  In addition to the considerations stated in this Standard, the institution adheres to those requirements related to institutional integrity embodied in all other Commission Standards.

Transparency

9.11  The information published by the institution on its website is readily accessible and sufficient to allow students and prospective students to make informed decisions about their education.  The institution’s public website includes the information specified elsewhere in this Standard (9.17-9.25).

9.12  The institution provides sufficient information to the public about its processes for admissions, employment, grading, assessment, student discipline, and the consideration of complaints and appeals.

9.13  The institution is responsive to reasonable requests for information about itself and informs the public about how inquiries can be addressed.  The institution provides notice as to the availability of its most recent audited financial statement or a fair summary thereof.

9.14  All forms of print and digital communications officially representing the institution are consistent with catalogue content and accurately portray the conditions and opportunities available at the institution.  Institutions ensure the availability of archival editions of catalogues, regardless of their format.

9.15  The institution has readily available valid documentation for any statements and promises regarding such matters as program excellence, learning outcomes, success in placement, and achievements of graduates or faculty.

9.16  Through a systematic process of periodic review, the institution ensures that its print and digital publications are complete, accurate, available, readily accessible, and current.  The results of the review are used for improvement.

Public Disclosure

9.17  The institution’s catalogue describes the institution consistent with its mission statement and sets forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution.

9.18  The institution publishes its mission, objectives, and expected educational outcomes; its status as a public or independent institution; if independent, its status as a not-for-profit or for-profit institution; any religious affiliation; requirements and procedures and policies related to admissions and the transfer of credit; a list of institutions with which it has articulation agreements; student fees, charges and refund policies; rules and regulations for student conduct; procedures for student appeals and complaints; other items related to attending or withdrawing from the institution; academic programs, courses currently offered, and other available educational opportunities; academic policies and procedures; and the requirements for degrees or other forms of academic recognition. (See also 4.29, 5.2, 5.3)

9.19  The institution publishes a list of its continuing faculty, indicating departmental or program affiliation, showing degrees held and the institutions granting them.  The names and positions of administrative officers, and the names and principal affiliations of members of the governing board are also included.

9.20  The institution publishes a description of the size and characteristics of its student population(s), as well as a description of the campus setting for each of its physical locations (main campus, branch campuses, other instructional locations and overseas locations at which students can enroll for a degree).  For each location and modality of instruction, the institution publishes a description of the programs, academic and other support services, co-curricular and non-academic opportunities, and library and other information resources available to students.

9.21  The institution clearly indicates those programs, courses, services, and personnel not available during a given academic year.  It does not list as current any courses not taught for two consecutive years that will not be taught during the third consecutive year.

9.22  The institution publishes statements of its goals for students’ education and makes available to the public timely, readily accessible, accurate, and consistent aggregate information about student achievement and institutional performance.  Information on student success includes rates of retention and graduation and other measures of student success appropriate to institutional mission.  If applicable, recent information on passage rates for licensure examinations is also published. (See also 8.6, 8.7, 8.10)

9.23  The institution publishes information about the total cost of education and net price, including the availability of financial aid and the typical length of study.  The expected amount of student debt upon graduation and the institution’s cohort default and loan repayment rates are published to help students and prospective students make informed decisions. (See also 5.14)

9.24 The institution ensures that when students, prospective students, or members of the public are interacting with an individual acting on behalf of the institution through a contractual or other written agreement, the relationship of that individual to the institution is clear.

9.25  The institution’s statements about its current accredited status are accurately and explicitly worded.  An institution placed on probation by the Commission discloses this status in all print and digital publications in which the institution’s accreditation is mentioned.