Accreditation

Substantive Change for Regional Accreditation

In accordance with North Carolina State Board of Community College (SBCC) code, Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) seeks to maintain reaffirmation of accreditation and retain membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

1B SBCCC 400.96 ACCREDITATION BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION

All colleges shall obtain and maintain regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The System President, when requested, will provide assistance to colleges seeking regional accreditation.

As a SACSCOC member institution, CFCC is eligible to provide federal funding for qualifying students and preserve the transferability of CFCC courses to other regionally accredited institutions. As a SACSCOC requirement for membership and accreditation, Cape Fear Community College must comply with SACSCOC’s policy statement on Substantive Change for Accredited Institutions of the Commission on Colleges by taking the appropriate measures to ensure timely, accurate, and complete notification to SACSCOC whenever the college proposes to make a significant modification or expansion in its nature and scope. SACSCOC’s policy statements may be reviewed at http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/SubstantiveChange.pdf.

The following information is excerpted from the SACSCOC Substantive Change policy to aid in understanding:
Definition: Substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution.

Under federal regulations, substantive change includes:

• Any change in the established mission or objectives of the institution
• Any change in legal status, form of control, or ownership of the institution
• The addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those that were offered when the institution was last evaluated.
• The addition of courses or programs of study at a degree or credential level different from that which is included in the institution’s current accreditation or reaffirmation.
• A change from clock hours to credit hours.
• A substantial increase in the number of clock or credit hours awarded for successful completion of a program.
• The establishment of an additional location geographically apart from the main campus at which the institution offers at least 50% of an educational program.
• The establishment of a branch campus.
• Closing a program, off-campus site, branch campus, or institution.
• Entering into a collaborative academic arrangement that includes only the initiation of a dual or joint academic program with another institution.
• Acquiring another institution or a program or location of another institution.
• Adding a permanent location at a site where the institution is conducting a teach-out program for a closed institution.
• Entering into a contract by which an entity not eligible for Title IV funding offers 25% or more of one or more of the accredited institution’s programs.
• The SACSCOC Board of Trustees has approved additional substantive changes that require notification and, in some cases, approval prior to implementation.

Of equal importance is the definition of Significant Departure:

• Significant departure – a program that is not closely related to previously approved programs at the institution or site, or for the mode of delivery in question. To determine whether a new program is a “significant departure,” it is helpful to consider the following questions:
• What previously approved programs does the institution offer that are closely related to the new program and how are they related?
• Will significant additional equipment or facilities be needed?
• Will significant additional financial resources be needed?
• Will a significant number of new courses be required?
• Will a significant number of new faculty members be required?
• Will significant additional library/learning resources be needed?

Procedures for the identification and processing of substantive changes reside in the office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning and are the responsibility of the SACS Liaison.