The University of Texas of the Permianbasin

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIANBASIN

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT

FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REPORTING TO THE
SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS-COMMISSION ON COLLEGES

Any substantive change in an academic program must be submitted to the University of Texas System (UT System) Board of Regents, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and/or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) depending on the nature of the change. All substantive changes must be reviewed by the college or school curriculum committee, the appropriate curriculum review body, the Faculty Senate for undergraduate programs and the Graduate Council for graduate programs, and the President prior to submission to the UT System, THECB, and/or SACS.

All substantive changes must be reviewed by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost/VPAA) before being submitted to the President. The Provost/VPAAis responsible for ensuring all substantive changes are in the appropriate format for the required off-campus approvals before the program proposals go to the President.

Substantive Change Definitions

The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges’ Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) has a substantive change policy that is responsive to the U.S. Department of Education regulations (34 CFR 602.22). As defined by SACS-COC, a “Substantive change is a significant modification or expansion in the nature and scope of an accredited institution.” The types of substantive changes and the procedures for addressing them are found in the Commission’s policy on substantive changeand its substantive changes website at

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has rules and policies on new programs including certificates, degrees, and distance education. These can be found in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19 Part 1 on the following website:

If a department, school, or college is contemplating changes at the Program/Course Level that would:

(a) expand significantly a current degree program;

(b) add courses or programs that would represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those offered currently;

(c) initiate programs or courses offered through a contractual agreement or consortium;

(d) change significantly the length of a program;

(e) initiate degree completion programs;

(f) initiate programs at the associate degree level or doctoral level;

(g) initiate instruction of 25% of the courses needed for a degree or certificate or expand offerings to more than 50% of a degree or certificate online or at a site off campus; or

(h) closure of a degree programit is considered by SACS-COC as a substantive change. Questions about the policy may be directed to the campus’ SACS Accreditation Liaison in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness.

Submission and Review

The University may be required to obtain approval or notify SACS-COC, the THECB, or the UT System Administration before achange can be implemented. Notifications to SACS-COC may have timelines of 6 to 12 months making it necessary to discuss changes with the Provost well in advance of the anticipated implementation date of a change. Whether or not notification is required, the school/college/department mustconsult the Provost /VPAA before submitting proposals to the Graduate Council or Faculty Senate. The Provost will provide the appropriate formats for a SACS prospectus, THECB program proposal, or other documents as required. The department, college or school mustsubmit documents to the Faculty Senate or Graduate Council in the appropriate format for approval of the requisite external agencies.

The submission of notification, a prospectus, program proposal, or other documentation for achange is done by the President with the advice of Provost. Contact between the University and SACS-COC, the THECB, or UT System regarding a substantive change is conducted only by the President, Provost/VPAA, or the SACS Accreditation Liaison.

Procedure to Ensure Compliance with Other Types of Changes

As a member of the President’s Council, the Provost/VPAA monitors other types of substantive changes requiring SACS-COC or other agencies’ notification or approval. The Provost/VPAA will notify the SACS Accreditation Liaison who prepare the necessary correspondence for the President’s approval. Types of changes addressed by this section include the following:

a)initiation of a merger or consolidation;

b)significant alteration of the University’s educational mission;

c)relocation of a campus;

d)change in governance, ownership, control, or legal status;

e)closure of an institution/program and /or initiating teach-out agreements.