Reporting the Various Types of Substantive Change
The different types of substantive change, the specific procedure number to be used for each, their respective approval/notivication requirements, and their reporting time lines are included in the table below. Please refer to the appropriate Procedures for details regarding reporting (Procedure 1 is on pg 7, Procedure 2 is on pg 10, and Procedure 3 is on pg 11).
Types of Change |
Procedure |
Prior
Approval Required |
Prior Notification Required |
Time
Frame for Contacting COC |
| Initiating coursework or programs at a more advanced level than currently approved | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
12 months |
| Expanding at current degree level (significant departure from current programs) | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Initiating programs at a lower degree level | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Initiating a branch campus | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Initiating Off-campus Sites. .Student can obtain 50 percent or more credits toward program .Student can obtain 25-49 percent of credit .Student can obtain 24 percent or less |
1 2 NA |
Yes No NA |
Yes Yes NA |
6 months Prior to implementation NA |
| Adding significantly different programs at an approved site (only if programs are currently approved) | 2 |
No |
Yes |
Prior to implementation |
| Initiating distance learning. .Offering 50 percent or more of program (Subsequent programs do not need reporting unless they are significant departures from initially approved program(s). .Offering 25-49 percent .Offering 24 percent or less |
1 2 NA |
Yes No NA |
Yes Yes NA |
6 months Prior to implementation NA |
| Initiating programs/courses offered through contractual agreement or consortium |
2 |
No |
Yes |
Prior to implementation |
| Initiating a merger/consolidation | 3 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Altering significantly the educational mission of the institution | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Relocating a campus | 2 |
No |
Yes |
Prior to implementation |
| Changing governance, ownership, control, or legal status | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Altering significantly the length of a program | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Initiating degree completion programs | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |
| Closing an institution/program; initiating teach- out agreements (see Commission policy) | 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
6 months |