Substantive Changes

Upcoming dates and deadlines

March 15, 2020: Deadline to submit substantive changes requiring approval by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees in June 2020: governance change; institution, program, or location acquisition; level change; merger/consolidation; ownership, means of control, or legal status change; offering 50% or more of a direct assessment competency-based education program; review of substantive change policy and procedures; any substantive change requiring approval from institutions on sanction(except program or site closures).
- Note: March 15 is on Sunday. The Commission receives mail and deliveries 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please plan accordingly.
July 1, 2020: Deadline to submit substantive changes to be implemented January 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, requiringnotification or requiring approval by the Executive Council of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees

Updates and announcements

Two-year implementation window: Substantive changes must be implemented within two years of approval. If an institution does not implement within two years of the SACSOC Board of Trustees approval date, then a new prospectus or application must be submitted and approved by the Board prior to implementation. (Approved June 2018 by the Board of Trustees, effective immediately; see substantive change policy, p.13, item #14.)

Substantive change policy and related policies

Webinars

The webinar series is designed for liaisons and others with substantive change responsibilities. Webinars are one hour including interactive Q+A. Each webinar address a single topic that often presents challenges in managing an institution’s substantive change obligations. Registration is required for each webinar.

Webinars require either Adobe Connect application for desktop (recommended) or Flash Player for browser. Test your computer and network connections before joining a webinar.

Upcoming webinars:

Creating an Effective Prospectus:  Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 1:00 p.m. ET
Register

On-demand Webinars:

Changes That Are NOT Substantive
Changes to Current Programs
Closing Programs and Off-campus Instructional Sites
Dealing with Unreported Substantive Change
Determining Significant Departure
Dual Enrollment and Instructional Sites (audio difficulties in the “Scenarios” segment; a re-recorded supplement is available)
Dual and Joint Academic Awards
Faculty Rosters for Substantive Change
How to Write a Prospectus
Implementing New Programs – Part I
Implementing New Programs – Part II
Off-campus Instructional Sites
Programs Through Partnerships
What Not to Report