The Substantive Change Process: What is it and why should you care?

The Substantive Change Process: What is it and why should you care? ASCCC Accreditation Institute February 11, 2012

Overview • What is the substantive change process? • What is the value of the substantive change process? • When is a substantive change proposal needed? • Principles of substantive change • Why should you care?

What is the substantive change process?

Substantive Change PROCESS • Change should be PLANNED. • A result of a PROCESS. • Locally, you should have a process that detects the need for and responds to change. • When certain changes happen, an informal notice of change is needed or a Substantive Change Proposal is required.

Substantive Change Proposal • Why? • ACCJC expects accredited institutions to undertake change responsibly and to continue to meet the Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards and Commission policies even as they make changes. To provide assurance of institutional quality to the public and to maintain Title IV financial aid funds for students of the institution, a Substantive Change Proposal must be reviewed and acted upon by the Commission’s Committee on Substantive Change, or the Commission as a whole.

Substantive Change Proposal • Step One • Page 13 of the 26-page June 2011 Manual • A concise description of the proposed change and the reasons for it. • Evidence of a clear relationship to the institution’s stated mission. • Discussion of the rationale for the change.

Substantive Change Proposal • A description of the planning process.. • How the change relates to the institution’s planning process and stated mission. • Assessment of needs and resources. • Anticipated effect of the proposed change. • A clear statement of the intended benefits • A description of the preparation and planning process for the change.

Substantive Change Proposal • Evidence that the institution has analyzed and provided for adequate human, administrative, financial, and physical resources and processes necessary to initiate, maintain, and monitor the change and to assure that the activities undertaken are accomplished with acceptable quality…

Including – Evidence of… • sufficient and qualified faculty, management, and support staffing. • appropriate equipment and facilities, including adequate control over any off-campus site. • fiscal resources including the initial and long-term amount and sources of funding to sustain the proposed change. • a plan for monitoring achievement of the desired outcomes of the proposed change. • receipt all necessary internal or external approvals…

What is the “value”? • What “themes” emerge? • Planning • Mission • Resources • Any problems here?

Monitoring for Substantive Change • A continual process • Institutionalization is required • Focus on building capacity in an effective manner • Planning – not just change for the sake of change…

Substantive Change • Not all changes are substantive • Not all changes require a substantive change proposal • When in doubt, ask.. • So, when is a full substantive change proposal required?

Substantive Change: Some Basics When is a proposal needed?

In response to SB 1440, a college removes all local graduation requirements from its existing degrees. Yes. No. It depends on what the local graduation requirements are. Does a college need to prepare a Substantive Change Proposal?

In response to SB 1440, a college creates 6 new TMC-aligned degrees. Yes. No. It depends. Does a college need to prepare a Substantive Change Proposal?

Rio Honda College decides to add degrees designed for transfer to its formerly all CTE offerings. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Sierra decides to offer a program in China preparing native students to attend its college in the U.S. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

MSJC adds two new requirements (6 units) to its 24 unit general education package. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Lake Tahoe has a 24-unit Snowplow Mechanic certificate program and wants to offer a Snowplow Mechanic AS degree. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

When should a substantive change proposal be submitted? • As soon as the change is documented or submitted to the state for approval. • When the change is planned. • Three years prior to implementation of the change process. • When a change is 1st proposed locally, that proposal should also be forwarded to ACCJC.

Rio Hondo College plans to change its name to Rio Honda college. Yes. No. It depends on why the college is planning a name change. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Santa Monica’s entire executive administrative team will be new starting April 1. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Mt. SAC changes a required 20 credit hours for an ECE certificate to 30 credit hours. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

San Diego City College is establishing a satellite site at SDSU where a student can complete 45% of a CCC degree. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Napa Valley College plans to discontinue its vinification program. Yes. No. It depends on why the college is planning the change. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Napa Valley College plans to add a brew master program to its offerings. Yes. No. It depends. Is a substantive change proposal needed?

Principles Underlying Sub-Change • Encourages change - implicitly requires change • Anticipates institution will respond to evidence of need for change • Expects institution to undertake change responsibly • Assures institution continues to meet standards

Substantive Change: Some Basics What changes are considered Substantive?

What is a substantive change? • Change in Mission, Scope or Name • Change in degree level • Change in official name • Change in nature of constituency served • Closure of institution • Change in location or geographical area served • Change in location apart from the main campus

What is a substantive change? • Change in Credit Awarded • Increase of 50% or more in number of credit hours awarded for the successful completion of a program • Change from clock hours to credit hours • Change of Ownership or Legal Status • 50% or more of courses for a program or award can be achieved via Distance Ed.

What is a substantive change? • Contracting for the delivery of instruction in the name of the college with a non-regionally accredited organization • The acquisition of another institution, or any program or location of another institution • A change of an off-campus site to a college

What is a substantive change? • Addition of a new certificate or degree that represents a significant departure from the college’s current programs • A change in the degree level that was previously offered

What is a substantive change? • Any Other Significant Change • …that the Commission deems to be a significant departure from the previous reaffirmation of accreditation.

Substantive Change: Some Basics Proposal Requirements

Proposal Requirements • Cover Sheet – TOC - Description of change • Description of new ed program if applicable • Description of planning process • Evidence of sufficient resources • Evidence of internal/external approvals • Evidence Eligibility Requirements and Standards still fulfilled related to the change • Other information requested

Timing of Proposal Submission • How do you know when it is time to submit a Substantive Change Proposal?

Integration and Institutionalization • How can the requirements of the substantive change process be integrated into your local planning and processes?

Why should you care?

Thank you • www.accjc.org • Core documents and publications • June 2011 Substantive Change Manual

The Substantive Change Process: What is it and why should you care?