1. Substantive Change Process
Understanding Expectations for the Self-Study from the HEOA
11/11/2010
Substantive Change Process
Barbara Samuel Loftus – Vice President
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

2. Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Overview
Definition of Substantive Change
Approval prior to implementation required for changes
Relationship between regional accreditors + USED
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

3. Substantive Change Review Process
Substantive Change Committee
Committee reviewers
Role of Commission VP liaison
Conference call format
Committee recommendations to Executive Committee of Commission for approval
Committee meeting schedule (February, April, June, August, October, December)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

4. Substantive Change Reviews
Type of change
Relationship to institutional mission
Readiness for review (are all supporting documents included – budget, impact analysis, resources?)
Evidence of sufficient resources, student learning outcomes assessment plans, appropriate oversight, appropriate planning + realistic projections
Impact on institution
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

5. Substantive Change Proposal Summary
Executive summary (one-page)
Statement of nature/purpose of activity + relevance to mission
Financial impact of proposed change
Analysis of impact on rest of institution
Legal authorization to conduct program/activity
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

6. Substantive Change Proposal Details
Basic Planning Documents
Budget and financing for the projected activities
Resources (faculty, administrators, library, facilities)
Intended constituency
Governance + administrative organization
Plans for student learning outcomes assessment
Institutional approval procedures
Copies of contractual arrangements
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

7. Substantive Change Proposal for a Branch Campus
Description of educational program(s) to be offered
Projected revenues + expenditures at branch campus
Operation, management + physical resources at the Branch campus
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

8. Substantive Change Proposal for New Degree or Program Level
Constituency to be served
Resources: faculty, student, educational
Expected budget
Student learning outcomes assessment plans
Degree approvals
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

9. Substantive Change Proposal for Distance Education
Technology support
Access to campus resources, including library
Student learning outcomes assessment plans
Student identity verification process/fees
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

10. Substantive Change Policy & HEOA 2008 Resources
US Dept of Education
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Middle States Commission on Higher Education

11. Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Questions?
Middle States Commission on Higher Education