View
4
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Bo
ard
of
Co
mm
issi
on
ers
POLICY MANUALOf the Board of Commissioners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
I . General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A. Authorityandduties 2B. Compositionandterms 4C. Powers 4
II . The Board of Commissioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A. GeneralresponsibilitiesfortheStandards 6B. Meetings 6C. Operationalpolicies 9D. Operatingbudget 12E. Reimbursementforexpenses 13F. Workproduct 13
III . Accredited Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14A. Accreditationevaluations 14B. Guidelinesforinstitutionalpetitionsandothermatters 19
IV . Appeals Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
V. DisclosureandConfidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21A. Accreditedmembers 21B. Candidatemembers 21C. Self-studyreports 21D. Evaluationcommitteereportsandrecommendations 22E. Otheraccreditingdocuments 22F. Publicstatementsbyinstitutions 23G. Commissiondisclosureofinformationaboutmembersorapplyinginstitutions 23
VI . Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29A. Generalstatement 29B. Complaintsregardingmemberschools 29C. ComplaintsregardingtheBoardoritspersonnel 30
AppendixesAppendix1:ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices 31Appendix2:TimeFrameforRespondingtoCommitteeReports 33Appendix3:GuidelinesRegardingPetitionsforChange 34Appendix4:EvaluativeGuidelineforSpecialComprehensiveEvaluations 37Appendix5:CriteriaforEvaluatingTeach-OutPlansandAgreements 38Appendix6:PolicyonApprovingNewExtensionSites 40Appendix7:PolicyonBoardReaderPanelsandReportstoStaff 41Appendix8:GuidelinesforCandidacyPetitions 42Appendix9:PolicyonUseandReleaseofDatafromtheInstitutionalDatabase 43
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 1 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
PrefaceTheproceduresadoptedbytheCommissiononAccrediting(“Commission”)state:“Inthecontextofitsdutiestomakedecisionsregardingaccreditation,theBoardofCommissioners(“Board”)isresponsibleforadoptingandoverseeingpoliciesandproceduresthatensurethoroughandfairevalu-ationofschoolsandforconsistentlyapplyingCommissionPolicies and ProceduresandStandardsofAccreditation(ATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VIII.A.3).Forbrevity,theCommissionStandardsofAccreditation(“Standards”)andtheCommissionPolicies and Procedures(“Procedures”)hereaftermaybereferredtoas“StandardsandProcedures.”
ThePolicy Manual of the Board of Commissioners(“Policy Manual”)containsallthepoliciesadoptedbytheBoard.ThepoliciesaddressmattersofBoardprocedureandinterpretation;theyalsoreferencetheformallyadoptedguidelinestheBoardhaspreparedforschoolstouseinconductingself-studiesandpetitioningtheBoardforapprovalofavarietyofinstitutionalinitiatives.
ThePolicy ManualispublishedbytheBoardandisavailableontheATSwebsiteatwww.ats.edu
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 2 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
I General
I.A Authorityandduties
I .A .1 TheauthorityoftheBoardisderivedfromtheCommissionBylaws(3.1),anditsdutiesareprescribedintheBylawsandinthePolicies and ProceduresadoptedbytheCommission(ATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VIII).
I .A .2 Duties
I .A .2 .a Exerciseresponsibilityforalldecisionsrelatedtotheaccreditationstatusofmembers.
I .A .2 .a(1) MaintainalistofaccreditedtheologicalschoolsundertheStandardsandProceduresdeterminedbytheCommission.
I .A .2 .a(2) Investigate,review,andgrantcandidacyforaccreditedmemberstatustoapplicantmembersofTheAssociationofTheologicalSchoolsintheUnitedStatesandCanada(“ATS”).
I .A .2 .a(3) Investigate,review,andgrantinitialaccreditationtocandidateinstitutions.
I .A .2 .a(4) Evaluatenewdegreeprograms,extensionsites,anddistanceeducationprogramsforinclusionininstitutionalaccreditation.
I .A .2 .a(5) Providefortheperiodicevaluationofinstitutionsforreaffirmationofaccreditationnotlessfrequentlythaneach10years.
I .A .2 .a(6) Prepareself-studyguides,reportforms,andotherdocumentationthatwillassisttheschoolsinmeetingtheirresponsibilitiesinrelationtoaccreditation.
I .A .2 .a(7) RespondtocomplaintsbroughtagainstmembersortheCommission.
I .A .2 .a(8) Adoptandoverseepoliciesandproceduresthatensurethoroughandfairevaluationofschools.
I .A .2 .a(9) MakesuchinformationpublicaboutaccreditationstatusasservesthepublicinterestandmeetstherequirementsofgovernmentalandnongovernmentalentitiesthatrecognizetheCommission.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 3 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
I .A .2 .a(10) MonitorchangesinaccreditationandpatternsofhighereducationqualityimprovementintheUnitedStatesandCanada,includingconsultationswithappropriategovernmentalandnongovernmentalentities.
I .A .2 .a(11) Assesseachinstitution’scontinuingconformitytotheCommission’sStandardsofAccreditationthroughareviewbytheATSCommissionstaffoftheinformationprovidedbymemberschoolsintheAnnualReportFormstomonitorkeyindicatorsasoutlinedinAppendix1,“ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices.”TheBoardwillreviewateachsummermeetinganysignificantresultsofthismonitoringandtakeappropriateaction.
I .A .2 .a(12) Establishadministrativeprocedures(“ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices”)thatensurethatappropriatepoliciesandpracticesareproperlyimplementedanddocumented.
I .A .2 .b ReviewandevaluatetheaccreditingStandardsandProcedures in a regularandcontinuousmannerandbringrecommendationsregardingappro-priatechangesforconsiderationforadoptionbythemembers.
I .A .2 .c ProposetothemembersamendmentstotheBylawsandthearticlesofincorporationoftheCommission,subjecttotheapprovalofATSasprovidedintheBylaws(9.1and11.1).
I .A .2 .d Appointtaskforcesandaccreditationcommitteesdeemedneces-saryforfulfillingitsresponsibilities.
I .A .2 .e AdoptandoverseetheCommission’sbudget.
I .A .2 .e(1) Establishfeestobeassessedintheconductofaccreditationactivities.
I .A .2 .e(2) Recommendchangestotheduesstructure.
I .A .2 .f Evaluatetheadministrativeandotherservicessecuredbycon-tractwiththeAssociationandestablishandevaluatetheemploymentpoliciesoftheCommissionthroughitsagreementforcontractedserviceswiththeAssociation.
I .A .2 .g OverseetheCorporation’sassetsandapprovetheauditorsemployedbytheCorporation.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 4 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
I.B Compositionandterms
I .B .1 TheBoardshallconsistofnotfewerthan12normorethan20persons,ofwhomnotfewerthanthreenormorethanfiveshallbepublicrepresentatives.Atleasttwoofthepublicmembersshallbeministrypractitioners,andtwofromaccred-itedinstitutionsshallcarrysignificantteachingresponsibilitiesintheirinstitutions.TheBoardshallincludemembersknowledgeableinaspectsoftheologicaleducation(includingdistanceeducation),whowillreceivetraininginthecontentandinterpreta-tionoftheBylaws,StandardsofAccreditation,Policies and Procedures,includingthereviewandevaluationofdistanceeducation.
I .B .2 Termsofservice:Membersfromaccreditedinstitutionsserveforsixyearsandareineligibleforimmediatereelection.Publicmembersservefortwoyearsandareeligibleforreelection.
I .B .3 Eligibility:Themembersineachsix-yearclassmustbefromaccreditedschools;apublicmembermaynotbeapersonwhois(a)enrolledasastudentinorwhoisanemployeeormemberofthegoverningboardoforaconsultanttoaninstitu-tionthatiseitheraccreditedoracandidateforaccreditationbytheCommissionorhasappliedforaccreditationorcandidatestatus,or(b)amemberofanyassociationormembershiporganizationaffiliatedwiththeCommission,or(c)aspouse,parent,child,orsiblingofanindividualidentifiedin(a)or(b).NomembermaysimultaneouslyserveontheBoardofCommissionersandontheATSBoardofDirectors(exceptingtheCommissionrepresentativetoATS).
I .B .4 Thechair,vicechair,andCommissionrepresentativetoATS(normallythethirdmemberoftheOfficersCommittee)areelectedbytheCommissionmembership.ThesecretaryiselectedbytheBoardfromamongtheATSCommissionstaffmemberswhosupporttheworkoftheCommission.
I .C Powers
I .C .1 Powersdefined
I .C .1 .a TheBoardmayinitiateandcarrythroughallstepsleadingtoadecisiononaccreditedmembershiporcandidateforaccreditedmember-shipandtodecisionsregardingindividualdegreeprograms(ATSCommissionBylaws,3.1).
I .C .1 .b TheBoardmayrequirereportsorevaluationsasnecessarytoimplementtheStandardsortodeterminetheconformityofschoolstotheStandards,asprescribedbythePolicies and ProceduresoftheCommission.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 5 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
I .C .2 Powerslimited
I .C .2 .a NoactoftheBoardshallbeheldtocontrolthepolicyorlineofactionofanyinstitutionbelongingtotheCommission.Memberschoolshavetherighttobecreativeanddiverseindetermininghowbesttoorganizethem-selvesandusetheirresourcesinconformitywithCommissionStandardsandProcedures
I .C .2 .b TheBoardshalltakenoactioninitiatingprocedurestoexamineaninstitutionforCandidateforAccreditedMembershipstatusorinitialaccredi-tationexceptatthespecificrequestofthechiefadministrativeofficeroftheinstitution.
I .C .2 .c TheBoardshallactonlyonthosemattersassignedtoitbytheCommissionandwithintheguidelinesestablishedbythePolicies and ProceduresoftheCommissionandthePolicy ManualoftheBoard.
I .C .2 .d Commissioners,AppealsPanelmembers,andATSCommissionstaffshallannuallycompleteaconflictofinterestform.Evaluationcom-mitteemembersandconsultantsshallcompleteaconflictofinterestformpriortoanyengagementintheevaluationofaschool.Apotentialconflictofinterestincludesthefollowingrelationshipswithaschoolundergoingevalu-ation,whethertherelationshipinvolvesthatpersonoranimmediatefamilymember:employment(includingpastemploymentorprior/currentapplicationforemployment);currentemploymentataschoolinaconsortialrelationship;enrollmentasastudent(pastorpresent,includingdenialofadmission);recipi-entofanawardorhonor;provisionofgoodsorservices;serviceasatrustee(pastorpresent);regularrecruitmentofprospectivestudentsorstaff;oranyotherrelationshipthatcouldthreatenafairandobjectiveevaluation.NoCommissioner,AppealsPanelmember,orATSCommissionstaffmemberwhohasapotentialconflictofinterestshallbeinvolvedinanevaluationoraccred-itingdecision,unlessamajorityofCommissionerswhodonothaveaconflictinrelationtotheschooldeterminethatthepotentialconflictofinteresthasnobearingontheevaluationordecision.Noevaluationcommitteememberorconsultantwhohasapotentialconflictofinterestshallbeinvolvedinanevaluationoraccreditingdecision.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 6 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
II The Board of Commissioners
II.A GeneralresponsibilitiesfortheStandardsofAccreditation
II .A .1 TheBoardisresponsiblefortheongoingreviewoftheStandardsofAccreditationandtherecommendationofchangesoftheStandardstothemember-shipoftheCommission.
II .A .2 TheBoardwillmaintainaformallyadoptedplanfortheongoingevalu-ationoftheStandards,withreferencetotheirvalidityincontentanduseandtheirreliabilityasameansofdetermininginstitutionalviabilityandeducationaleffective-ness.Thisplanensuresthat,inadditiontothegeneralandcomprehensivereviewoftheStandardsflowingfromthesurveythateveryschoolundergoingacomprehensiveevaluationreceives,eachstandardisformallyandspecificallyevaluatednotlessfre-quentlythaneveryfiveyears.
II .A .3 TheBoardshouldreviewthevalidityoftheStandardsbyaddressingquestionssuchasthefollowing:AretheStandardssufficientlycomprehensiveastoprovideprinciplesbywhichtheinstitutionalintegrityandeducationaleffective-nesscanbeassessed?AretheStandardssufficientlycurrentthattheyreflectchang-ingtrends,needs,andpracticesintheologicaleducation?DotheStandardsaddressreasonablyandcomprehensivelythosepracticesoftheologicaleducationthatmostinfluenceitseffectiveness?
II .A .4 TheBoardshouldreviewthereliabilityoftheStandardsbyaddressingquestionssuchasthefollowing:AretheStandardsappropriateacrosstherangeofCommissionmemberschools?DotheStandardsprovideabasisforevaluatingschoolsconsistentlyovertimesoinstitutionalimprovementcanbenoted?DotheStandardsprovideabasisbywhichdifferentevaluationcommitteescouldarriveatsimilaraccreditingrecommendationsforthesameschool?DotheStandardssupportconsis-tentinterpretationanddecisionmakingbytheBoardovertime?
II .A .5 IftheBoarddetermines,inthecourseofitssystematicreviewoftheStandardsorinotherways,thatitneedstomakechangestotheStandardsorProcedures,itwillinitiateactiontomakethechangeswithin12months,accordingtotherequirementsoftheBylaws(3.1).
II.B Meetings
II .B .1 TheBoardnormallymeetstwiceannually,inFebruaryandJune.
II .B .2 TheBoardwillnormallymeetduringtheworkinghoursoftwodaysorasmayberequired.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 7 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
II .B .3 Normally,theBoardmeetsattheofficesoftheATSCommission.
II .B .4 Ifneeded,specialmeetingsshallbecalledbythesecretaryuponorderofthechairoratthewrittenrequestofaquorumoftheCommissioners.Theagendaitemsforaspecialmeetingshallbestatedatthetimethemeetingiscalled.TheOfficersCommitteemayauthorizeavotebymail.
II .B .5 Commissionersareexpectedtoattendallmeetings.
II .B .6 Theelectedchairpresidesatallmeetings;theelectedvicechairpresidesifthechairisabsent,orwhenthechairhasotherdutiesinthemeeting,orwhenthechairhasrecusedhimselforherself.
II .B .7 AgendasformeetingsoftheBoardarepreparedbyATSCommissionstaffinconsultationwiththeBoardchair.MaterialsrelatedtomatterscomingbeforetheBoardaremadeavailabletoCommissionersthreeweeksinadvanceofthemeeting.Thesematerialsincludeself-studies,evaluationcommitteereportsandschoolresponsesthereto,requiredreportsfrommemberschools,andsubstantivechangepetitions.ThesematerialsshallbepostedontheBoard’ssecurewebsiteaccordingtothe“ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices”(seeAppendix1).
II .B .8 ReportssubmittedtotheBoardbyevaluationcommitteesshallbereviewedbyATSCommissionstaffforclarificationandbythechiefadministrativeofficeroftheinstitutionforfactualcorrectionsaccordingtothe“ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices”(seeAppendix1).
II .B .9 EachmeetingoftheBoardwillincludeplenarysessionsatwhichthefullBoardtakesaction,workingsessionsduringwhichcommitteesoftheBoardconsiderreportsandrecommendactions,andanexecutivesession(seealsoAppendix7).Toeffectivelyconductitsbusiness,theBoardofCommissionersmayuseaconsentagenda.TheconsentagendapermitsanyBoardcommitteetohaveanactionitemremovedfromdeliberationinaplenarysession.RecommendedactionsplacedontheconsentagendabyaBoardcommitteeareseenbythefullBoardbeforebeingrati-fiedinplenarysessioninonevote.AnyCommissionerforgoodreasonmayrequestanyconsentagendaitembediscussedbythefullBoardbeforefinalaction.ConsentagendaswillnotbefinalizeduntileachBoardcommitteehasreviewedthoroughlytheactionitemsassignedtoit.AnyrecommendedactionseenbythefullBoardandthenchangedbyaBoardcommitteemaynotbeplacedontheconsentagenda,unlessthechangeisminorinnature(e.g.,changeinreportdateorminoreditorialchange).Actionsthatmaynotbeplacedonaconsentagendaincludeanyinvolvingmember-shipstatus(e.g.,candidacy,initialorcontinuedaccreditation,notations,probations,
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 8 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
withdrawalsordenialsofaccreditation,andissuingaletterofconcernorshowcauseorder)oranyinvolvinganeducationalexperimentorexception.
II .B .10 TheBoardmayauthorizesubcommitteestomeetatothertimestocon-siderandactuponreportsandpetitionsfrommemberschoolsthatdonotaffecttheschool’saccreditedstatus.
II .B .11 RepresentativesfrominstitutionsthathaveagendaitemsbeforetheBoardmayaddresstheBoardoritssubcommittees.RepresentativesfromschoolswithpendingdecisionsregardingtheoverallaccreditedstatusoftheinstitutionwilltypicallyaddressthefullBoard.Representativesfromschoolswithpendingdecisionsregardingdegreeprograms,extensionprograms,orsimilarissueswilltypicallyaddresstheappropriateBoardsubcommittee.
II .B .12 Minutesofmeetingsarepreparedbystaffindraftform,senttotheCommissionersforcorrection,andrevisedforconsiderationforadoptionatthesuc-ceedingBoardmeeting.
II .B .13 ACommissionermayabstainfromvotingonanyaccreditationdecisionforanyreason.ACommissionermustrecusehimselforherselffromanyaccreditationdiscussionordecisionaffectingaschoolwithwhichheorshehasbeeninvolvedinanyofthesecapacities:(1)serviceasacurrentorformeremployeeorstudentofthatschool,(2)serviceasacurrentemployeeofaschoolinaconsortiumwiththatschool,(3)serviceonanevaluationcommitteewhoserecommendationsaboutthatschoolarebeingconsidered,or(4)recentserviceonacommitteeorcommissionforanotheraccreditingagencythatevaluatedthatschool(typicallywithinthepastthreeyears).RecusalsrequiretheCommissionertoabsenthimselforherselffromtheroomduringthediscussionandthedecision.Allabstentionsandrecusalswillbenotedintheminutes.
II .B .14 TheBoardwilltaketimetowardtheendofeachmeetingtoreviewitsactionstoassuretheconsistencyandfairnessofitsaccreditingdecisions.Thesetwoconceptsdonotrequireuniformityinalldecisions,butdoassumeconformitytoallpublishedstandards,procedures,andpolicies.TheBoarddeterminesconsistencyandfairnessthroughthesecriteria:
II.B.14.a DecisionsarebasedontheCommission’sStandardsandProceduresandfollowtheBoard’sPolicyManual.
II.B.14.b Decisionsrespecteachinstitution’suniquemissionandhelpachieveitsstatededucationaloutcomesinitsowncontext.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 9 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
II.B.14.c Decisionsaremadeinlightofeachinstitution’sresources,capacitytoplanandevaluate,anditsongoingrelationshipwiththeCommission,aswellasthereliability,relevance,andcompletenessoftheinformationitprovides.
II.B.14.d DecisionsarereviewedinlightofrelevantpriordecisionsoftheBoard,aswellasrelevantcurrentdecisions.
II.B.14.e Decisionsarecommunicatedpromptlyandclearlywithawrittenrationale.
II .B .15 Onceineachbiennium,theBoardwillevaluatethequalityofitsworkbydevotingtimetoacomprehensivereviewofitspolicies,procedures,andpractices.TheopeningplenarysessionoftheFebruarymeetingwillincludeapresentationofsignifi-cantissuesarising,relativetotheStandardsandProcedures,duringthepastyear.
II .B .16 ThechairandvicechairoftheCommission,togetherwithathirdCommissioner(normallytheCommissionRepresentativetoATS),constitutetheOfficersCommitteeoftheBoardandareauthorizedtomakenecessarydecisions,notaffectingtheaccreditedstatusofinstitutions,betweenBoardmeetings.AllsuchactionsmustbereportedtotheBoardatitsnextmeeting.
II.C Operationalpolicies
II .C .1 TheBoardisresponsibleforimplementingtheCommissionPolicies and Proceduresaspublished,includingalladverseactionsoftheBoard.
II .C .2 Inordertoprovideappropriatehistoricalbackgroundtoitswork,theBoardrequirestheretentionandpreservationofmaterialsrelatedtothelastfullaccreditationreviewofeachinstitution,includingon-siteevaluationcommitteereports,theinstitution’sresponsestoon-sitereports,periodicreviewreports,anyreportsofspecialreviewsconductedbetweenregularreviews,acopyoftheinstitu-tion’smostrecentself-study,andacopyofallaccreditationdecisions,includingalladverseactions.Inaddition,the“ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices”(Appendix1)requiresarecordofalldecisionsmadethroughoutaninstitution’saffiliationregard-ingtheaccreditationoftheinstitutionandanysubstantivechanges,includingallcor-respondencethatissignificantlyrelatedtothosedecisions.
II .C .3 TheBoardwillevaluateanyteach-outplanoragreement,usingBoard-adoptedcriteria(seeAppendix5),toensurethatitprovidesaffectedstudentstheabilitytocompletetheirstudieswithoutmovingortravelingasubstantialdistanceandatreasonablecost.Studentsshouldbeabletocompletetheirstudiesinaprogramofacceptablequalityandwithreasonablysimilarcontent,structure,andscheduling.Theteach-outplanoragreementshouldprovidefortimelynotificationtostudentsof
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 10 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
thetermsoftheteach-outplanoragreementandinformationaboutanyadditionalchargesorcosts.TheBoardmayrequireamemberinstitutiontoenterintoateach-outagreementwithanotherinstitutionaccreditedbyanagencyrecognizedbytheUSSecretaryofEducationforUnitedStatesschools,oranotherappropriateauthorityforCanadianschools,aspartoftheinstitution’steach-outplan.Whenateach-outplanoragreementinvolvesanotherinstitutionaccreditedbyanagencyrecognizedbytheUSSecretaryofEducationforUnitedStatesschools,oranotherappropriateauthor-ityforCanadianschools,theBoardwillevaluatethecapacityoftheotherinstitutiontoprovidetheeducationrequiredbytheteach-outagreement.Inordertodetermineiftheotherinstitutionisqualifiedtoprovidetheteach-outprogramnecessary,theBoardwill(a)assesstheresources,experience,andsupportservicesoftheotherinstitution;(b)evaluateitsabilitytoprovideaprogramofacceptablequalitythatisreasonablysimilarincontent,structure,andschedulingtothediscontinuedprogram;(c)determineiftheotherinstitutionisstableandabletocarryoutitsmissionandmeetallobligationstoexistingstudents;and(d)determineiftheinstitutioniscapableofprovidingaprogramtoteach-outstudentsthatdoesnotrequiresubstantialtraveloradditionalcharges.IftheotherinstitutionisnotaccreditedbytheATSCommissiononAccrediting,theBoardwillnotifytheotheraccreditingagencywithin30daysofitsactiontoapproveateach-outagreementthatinvolvesaschoolaccreditedbythatagency.
II .C .4 Ifamemberinstitutionrequiredbyfederalregulationstosubmitateach-outplanfailstosubmitanacceptableteach-outplanoragreement,theBoardwillimposeprobation.Ifamemberinstitutioncloseswithoutateach-outplanoragree-ment,theBoardwillworkwiththeUSDepartmentofEducationandtheappropriateprovincialorstateagencies,totheextentfeasible,toassiststudentsinfindingreason-ableopportunitiestocompletetheireducationwithoutadditionalcharge.
II .C .5 ATSCommissionstaffwillmonitoraccreditedschoolstoensurecontinuedconformitywithCommissionStandardsofAccreditation.ThismonitoringwillincludeitemsdescribedinAppendix1,section6.TheBoardmayrequestadditionalmonitor-inginformationorauthorizearequiredreport,afocusedevaluationvisit,oraspecialcomprehensiveevaluationreview,ifitdeterminesareviewofeducationalqualityiswarranted.
II .C .6 AllactionsoftheBoardmustbecommunicatedtotheschoolsaffectedbytheactionswithin30daysofthedateoftheaction.Schoolshave30daysfromreceiptofthecommunicationofBoardactiontoappealdecisionsregardingfailuretoapprovenewdegrees,extensionsites,ordistanceeducationprograms;theimpositionofanotation;theimpositionofprobation;oranadverseaction.Suchactionsbecomefinalafterthedeadlineforappeals.AllotheractionsarefinaluponinitialBoardaction.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 11 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
II .C .7 Normally,theBoardwillimposeanotationorprobationortakeanadverseactiononlyafteramemberinstitutionhasanopportunitytoprovideadditionalinformation.Comprehensiveandfocusedevaluationcommitteereportsandrecom-mendations,withaninvitationtorespond,shallbeunderstoodasprovidingsuchanopportunity
II .C .8 TheBoardofCommissionersdefines“goodcause”asacircumstanceinwhichtheinstitutionhasshownsignificantprogressontheissueofthenotationorprobationandthereisreasontoanticipatethataone-yearextensionoftimewillenabletheinstitutiontorectifythedeficiencyindicatedbythenotationorprobation.
II .C .9 BeforetheBoardtakesafinaladverseactiondecisionoranAppealsPaneltakesafinalactiontosustainanadversedecisiononappeal,anynewfinancialinfor-mationavailableatthetimethedecisionismadeshouldbereviewed,ifallofthefol-lowingconditionsaremet:
II .C .9 .a Thefinancialinformationwasunavailabletotheinstitutionuntilafterthedecisionsubjecttoappealwasmade.
II .C .9 .b ThefinancialinformationissignificantandbearsmateriallyonthefinancialdeficienciesidentifiedbytheBoard.
II .C .9 .c TheonlyremainingdeficiencycitedbytheBoardinsupportofafinaladverseactiondecisionistheinstitution’sfailuretomeetthestandardpertainingtofinancialresources.
II .C .10 TheeffectivedateofBoardactionapprovingasubstantivechangeisthedateoftheBoard’saction,whichshallbenotedexplicitlyinthelettercommunicat-ingtheaction.TheBoardisresponsibleforreviewingitsactionsateachmeetingtoensurethatsubstantivechangeactionswerenottakenretroactivelyandthattheminutesofthemeetingindicatetheBoard’sattentiontothispolicy.
II .C .11 TheBoardofCommissionersshallgivedueattentiontosubstantivechangepetitionssubmittedbymemberschools.TheATSCommissionstaffshallprovideguidancetoassistmemberschoolsinthepreparationofsubstantivechangepetitions.The“ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices”(Appendix1)shallcontaincriteriafordeterminingandterminologyforcharacterizingsubstantivechangethresh-olds(i.e.,aguidelinetodeterminewhenaschoolactionissimplymakingaminoradjustmentandwhenanadjustmentbecomesasubstantivechange).
II .C .12 TheBoardofCommissioners,whenmakingadeterminationregardingaspecialcomprehensivereview,shallusetheBoard-adopted“EvaluativeGuidelineforSpecialComprehensiveEvaluations”initsdeliberation.(SeeAppendix4.)
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 12 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
II .C .13 Whenafocusedevaluationvisitoraspecialcomprehensiveevaluationreviewisrequired,theBoardofCommissionerswillprovidetheschoolwithaprospec-tusforthefocusedevaluationvisitorspecialcomprehensivereview.Theprospectuswillidentifythereasonsforthefocusedevaluationvisitorspecialcomprehensivereview,providethedateforthesitevisit,andrequiretheschooltoprovideevidenceoftheschool’sconformitytotheapplicableStandardsofAccreditation(inthecaseofaspecialcomprehensivereview,alloftheStandardsofAccreditation).Theschoolistousetheprospectusasaguidetoprepareforthereview,andtheevaluationcommitteewillusetheprospectusinconductingtheonsitevisitandmakingitsrecommendationstotheBoardofCommissioners.
II .C .14 InadditiontotheconditionslistedintheATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.B.1,afocusedvisitmayberequiredwhenevertheBoardbelievesanyoftheseconditionsarepresent:
• Aseriesofon-site,face-to-faceconversationswithmultiplepartiesataschoolwillprovideinformationandcontextthatasinglereport,oftenwrittenbyasingleindividual,maynot;
• Aseriesofon-site,face-to-faceconversationswillhighlighttheimportanceof,and/orhelpgiveaschoolguidancein,oneormoreareasofimprovementinwaysthatawrittenreportmaynot.
• Aseriesofon-site,face-to-faceconversationswillunderscorethetimelinessand/orurgencyoftheneedfortheschooltoprovideadditionalinformationand/orhelpaschoolimprovesignificantly(e.g.,whenaseriousand/orpubliccontroversyhasarisenthatcouldimpacttheschool’sabilitytomeetoneormoreStandards).
II.D Operatingbudget
II .D .1 TheCommissionreceivesasdues75percentofthemembershipfeechargedtoallATSassociate,candidate,andaccreditedmemberschools.
II .D .2 TheBoardisresponsibleforestablishingandadoptingitsbudget,whichisbasedonrevenuederivedfromdues,assessmentfees,reimbursementforevalua-tortravel,andasappropriate,grantsfromfoundations.TheexpendituresbudgetshallprovideforalldirectandindirectexpensesfortheCommission’sworkofaccreditationasconductedbytheBoard.
II .D .3 TheBoardestablishestheamountoftheassessmentfeechargedtoschoolsreceivinganaccreditationevaluation.ThefeeshallbesetannuallybytheBoardtosupportthecostsofhostingevaluationcommittees,officecostsrelatedto
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 13 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
preparationofcommitteereportsandBoardagendabooks,andothersuchdirectcostsasnecessarytosupporttheon-siteevaluationofmemberschools.
II .D .4 TheBoarddeterminestravelreimbursementcoststobechargedtoschoolsreceivingaCommissionevaluationcommitteeaccordingtothefollowingpolicy:theBoardaveragesthetravelexpensesofallBoard-appointedevaluatorsandATSCommissionstaffforagivensemesterandinvoicesthataveragetravelcostforeachofthesewhowaspartoftheevaluationcommittee.
II .D .5 Board-appointedcommitteemembersservewithouthonorariaorremuneration.
II .E Reimbursement for expenses
II .E .1 Out-of-pocketexpensesformeetingsoftheBoard,subcommittees,taskforces,oraccreditationevaluationvisitsarepaidbytheCommission.Nohonorariaarepaidforserviceinsuchgroups.
II .E .2 Travelispaidataircoachrate,unlessitisimpossibletosecureotherthanfirstclass.
II .E .3 Ifanautomobileisusedfortravel,reimbursementwillbeonthebasisofcoachairfareorthecurrentmileagerateoftheBoard,whicheverislower.
II .E .4 Hotelexpenseswillbereimbursedforaccommodationsintheareaofthemeeting.
II .E .5 Allreasonablemealexpenseswillbereimbursed;alcoholicbeveragesshouldnotbechargedtotheBoard.
II .E .6 Childcareexpensesarereimbursable.
II .F Work product
TheBoardshallreviewtheworkproductprovidedbyitsmemorandumofagreementwiththeAssociationonanannualbasiswiththefindingsofthereviewtobeavail-ablebythetimethattheBoardconsidersextendingtheagreementinthefirstBoardmeetingofeachyear.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 14 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
III Accredited Members
III.A Accreditationevaluations
TheBoard,throughitsATSCommissionstaff,overseestheconductofallaccreditationevaluationstoCommission-relatedschools.
III .A .1 Schedule
III .A .1 .a ATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.A.1,authorizeaccredi-tationevaluationcommitteesforacomprehensiveevaluationattheendofanapprovedperiodofaccreditation.Incasesofspecialinstitutionalneed,theBoardortheCommission’sOfficersCommitteemayauthorizeafocusedorcomprehensiveevaluation.
III .A .1 .b WhiletheBoardmaycallforafocusedevaluationinresponsetoanynotificationofsubstantivechange,itmustrequireafocusedevaluationwithinsixmonthsofthechangeinthecaseofachangeinownershipthatresultsinachangeofcontrol.TheBoardwillreviewtheownershipchangetodeterminetheidentityofthenewownershiporcontrolandassureitselfthattheschool’seducationalqualitywillbesustained.
III .A .1 .c TheBoardmayauthorizeacomprehensivereviewofamemberinstitutionwhenchangesininstitutionalpurpose,educationalprograms,orfinancialcapacityareassociatedwithachangeofownership.
III .A .1 .d TheBoard,forpurposesofgrantingapprovalofsubstantivechangesrelatedtoextensionsitesandbranchcampuses,willrequireafocusedevaluationofanysitewithinsixmonthsofthesitebeginningtoofferasmuchas50percentofthecourseworknecessaryforadegree.Anevaluationisnotrequired,butmaybeauthorized,whenamemberschoolseeksapprovaltooffer50percentormoreofanadditionalapproveddegreeatasitealreadyapprovedtooffer50percentormoreofanapproveddegreeatthesamelevelastheadditionaldegree.TheBoarddoesnotgrantpreapprovalforextensionsitesorbranchcampuses,soamemberschoolmustpetitionwellinadvanceoftheinitiationofanysuchsites.Uponconsiderationofapetitiontoestab-lishanextensionsiteorbranchcampustoofferasmuchas50percentofaBoard-approveddegree,theBoardmayapprovethepetitionandauthorizearequiredsiteevaluationtocorroboratetheclaimsmadeinthepetition.Iftherequiredsiteevaluationdoesnotcorroboratetheclaimsmadeinthepetition,approvalforthatsitemaybewithdrawn.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 15 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
III .A .1 .e TheBoard,forpurposesofreaffirminginstitutionalaccreditation,aswellasgrantinginitialapprovalforanewextensionsite,willrequireanevalua-tionofallextensionsitesorbranchcampusesofferingatleast50percentofthecourseworkofaBoard-approveddegree.TheBoardmayauthorizeanexemp-tiontothisrequirementiftheinstitutionmeetsthefollowingcriteria:
III .A .1 .e(1) Hasrequestedanexemptionwithitspetitionorself-studyreport
III .A .1 .e(2) Hasbeenaccreditedforatleast10years
III .A .1 .e(3) HasoperatedinadherencetotheStandardsatleastthreeapprovedextensionssitesorbranchcampusesofferingasmuchas50percentofanapproveddegree
III .A .1 .e(4) Hasoperatedthepriorfiveyearswithouttheimpositionofanotationorprobation
Ifanexemptionisauthorized,arepresentativesampleofextensionsitesorbranchcampuseswillbeevaluatedduringanyreaffirmationprocess.ATSCommissionstaffwillselecttherepresentativesampleinconsultationwiththeinstitution.Therepresentativesamplewillincludeatleast25percentandnotfewerthantwooftheapprovedextensionsitesorbranchcampuses.Exemptionsgrantedforinitialapprovalforanewextensionsitedonotrequireanyevaluationofarepresentativesampleofsites.
III .A .1 .f Theclosingorrelocationofanapprovedextensionsite(ormaincampus)requiresoneofthefollowingactions,dependingonthelevelofapprovalgrantedthatsiteandonwhethertheclosingsitewillberelocated:
III .A .1 .f(1) Iftheextensionsitebeingclosedisapprovedtoofferlessthanacompletedegreeprogram,thentheschoolmustsimplynotifyATSCommissionstaffbeforeclosingthatsite,indicatinghowtheeducationalneedsofaffectedstudentswillbeappropriatelymet.
III .A .1 .f(2) Iftheextensionsitebeingclosedisapprovedtoofferacompletedegreeprogram,thenpriortoitsclosing,theschoolmustsubmitaPetitionforClosingaCompleteDegreeSitetotheBoardofCommissioners.Thepetitionincludesinformationregardingaformalteach-outplanforallaffectedstudents(seeguidelinesinAppendix5).
III .A .1 .f(3) Iftheextensionsite(ormaincampus)beingclosedisbeingrelocatedtoanothersite,thenpriortotherelocation,the
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 16 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
schoolmustsubmitaPetitionforRelocatinganApprovedExtensionSite(orcampus).Ifthenewextensionsitewillofferlessthanhalfadegree,thepetitionmaybeapprovedbyATSCommissionstaff(perATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.C.3).Ifthenewextensionsitewillofferatleasthalfadegreeoracompletedegree,thepetitionmustbeapprovedbytheBoardofCommissioners(perATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.C.2).TheBoardwillalsoauthorizeasitevisittobeconductedwithinsixmonthsofthenewsite’sestablishment,unlessanexemptionbasedonthefourcriteriainIII.A.1.eaboveisrequestedandgranted.Aschoolrelocatingamaincampusisnotexemptfromasitevisit,buttheBoardmaygrantanexemptionforanembeddedschoollocatedonthecampusofalargerinstitutionthatissimplymovingtoadifferentpartofthelargercampusorwithinthesamecommunity.
III .A .1 .f(4) Iftherelocationdiscussedintheprecedingparagraphoccursquicklyduetounforeseencircumstancesbeyondtheschool’scontrol(e.g.,naturaldisasterorsuddenlossofrentedfacilities),thentheschoolshouldcontactATSCommissionstaffassoonaspossible.ThesamePetitionforRelocatinganApprovedExtensionSite(orcampus) isrequired,butstaffmaytemporarilyauthorizecoursestobeginatthenewlocationuntiltheBoardofCommissionerscanmeetandactofficiallyontherelocation.
III .A .1 .g Whenamemberschoolpetitionsforanothertypeofsubstantivechangeoradegreeprogramapprovalthatrequiresasiteevaluation,theBoardrequiresthattheevaluationbeconductedwithinonecalendaryearofitsautho-rization.EveryeffortwillbemadetoscheduletheevaluationwithinsixmonthsoftheBoard’sauthorization,ifpossible.
III .A .2 EvaluationCommittees
III .A .2 .a Commissionerswillnormallybeinvitedtoparticipateinorchairatleastoneaccreditationevaluationeachyearoftheirtermofservice.ThetrainingthatCommissionersreceive,asoutlined(I.B.1),preparesthemforthisserviceonaccreditationevaluationcommittees.Inaddition,theywillreceivespecializedtrainingwhenservingasachairandtheregulartrainingthatoccursforevaluators.
III .A .2 .b MembersofCommissionaccreditationevaluationcommitteeswillbeappointedaccordingtothefollowingguidelines:
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 17 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
III .A .2 .b(1) ATSCommissionstaffwillberesponsiblefortheenlistmentandindependentappointmentofqualifiedevaluatorsforcommittees,themaintenanceofarosterofactiveevaluators,overseeinganevaluationprocessofpersonneltoensurethatpersonswhoremainontheactiveevaluatorrosterfunctioneffectively,andreportingregularlytotheBoardontherosterofactiveevaluators.
III .A .2 .b(2) TheBoardexpectsindividualswhoserveonevaluationcommitteestoreflectthefollowingcharacteristics:expertiseinaspectsoftheologicaleducationorhighereducation(includingdistanceeducationforevaluationsofthoseinstitutionsthatofferdistanceeducation),capacitytoevaluateaninstitutiononthebasisoftheCommissionStandardsofAccreditation,opennesstotherangeofconfessionalandreligioustraditionsrepresentedbytheschoolsintheCommission,andcapacitytoworkeffectivelyasamemberofanevaluationcommittee.Evaluationcommitteesshouldreflectthediversityofrace,ethnicity,gender,nationality,andecclesialcommunitiespresentinmemberschools.
III .A .2 .b(2)(a) Evaluatorswillgenerallybeappointedfrommemberschoolsand/orpersonsactivelyengagedinthepracticeofministry.Personsnotemployedbymemberschoolsoractivelyengagedinthepracticeofministrywho,havingparticularexpertiseandexperience,couldprovidevaluableexpertise,mayserveonevaluationcommittees.Inpreparationforserviceonevaluationcommittees,first-timecommitteememberswillreceivetraininginthecontentandinterpretationoftheCommissionStandardsofAccreditationandPolicies and Procedures,includingthereviewandevaluationofdistanceeducation,inadvanceoftheirserviceonanevaluationcommittee.OtherevaluationcommitteememberswillperiodicallyreceiverefreshertrainingonthecontentandinterpretationoftheStandardsofAccreditationandPolicies and Procedures,includingthereviewandevaluationofdistanceeducation.
III .A .2 .b(2)(b) Acomprehensiveevaluationcommitteeshallincludetheologicalschooladministrators,educatorsorfacultymembers,andministrypractitioners.Iftheschoolreceivingacomprehensiveevaluationcommitteeconductsdistanceeducation,thecommitteeshallhaveamemberwithexperienceandexpertiseindistanceeducation.Focusedevaluationcommitteeswillconsistofmemberswithexpertiserelatedtothefocusedevaluation.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 18 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
III .A .2 .b(3) Institutionsreceivingevaluationcommitteeshavetherighttoobjecttoindividualsnominatedtoserveoncommitteesforthefollowingreasons:(a)theindividualhasattendedtheinstitutionasastudent;(b)theindividualhaspreviouslybeenemployedbytheinstitution;or(c)someclearevidenceexiststhataconflictofinterestmaythreatenbalancedandobjectivejudgments.AmoredetailedstatementofpossibleconflictsmaybefoundaboveinI.C.2.d.
III .A .2 .b(4) Wheneverpossible,ATSCommissionstaffshouldbepresentduringatleastpartofaccreditationevaluationstointerprettheStandardsofAccreditationandPolicies and ProceduresonbehalfoftheBoard,toprovideguidanceandcounseltocommittees,andtoprovidebackgroundinformationabouttheevaluationtotheBoardasrequested.
III .A .2 .b(5) AspartofpreparationforaBoardevaluationcommittee,aschoolmustadvertisetoitsconstituenciesthatitisreceivingaCommissioncommitteeandinvitecommentinwritingconcerningtheinstitution’squalificationsforaccreditation.Thesecommentswillbeavailabletotheevaluationcommittee.ACommissionevaluationmayalsoincludeanopenhearingscheduledduringthecourseoftheevaluation.Inaddition,theCommissiononAccreditingwillpublishontheAccreditingsectionoftheATSwebsiteallschoolsscheduledtoreceiveacomprehensiveevaluationcommitteeineachsemester.Thelistwillbepostednolaterthantwomonthspriortothebeginningofthesemester.ThewebpagewillincludeaninvitationforrespondentstoreplywithcommentsaboutanyschooldirectlytotheBoard.TheBoardwillforwardallcommentsreceivedtothecomprehensiveevaluationcommitteeevaluatingtheschool.
III .A .3 Reports
III .A .3 .a Thewrittenreportshouldincludethefollowingsections:(1)abriefintroduction/historyoftheschool,(2)asectiononeachoftheGeneral Institutional Standards,(3)asectionontheEducational Standard,(4)asectiononeachofthedegreeprogramsofferedbytheinstitution,and(5)thecom-mittee’sformalrecommendationstotheBoard. Reportsshallbewritteningender-neutrallanguage.
III .A .3 .b Allcomprehensiveevaluationcommitteereportsshallincludeanassessmentoftheschool’sperformancewithrespecttotheeducationaleffectivenessoftheinstitution’sdegreeprogramsandthecriteriausedbythe
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 19 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
schooltodetermineeducationaleffectiveness.Thisassessmentshallincludethecommittee’sjudgmentwithrespecttoindicatorssuchasthepercentageofstudentswhocompletedegreeprogramsandtheplacementrateofgraduates.
III .A .3 .c TheBoardrequestsevaluationcommitteestoassesstheself-studyreportintermsofitsthoroughness,aswellasitsreflectionoftheinstitution’scapacitytoevaluateitselfcritically,tomakeprudentrecommendationsbasedonitsself-evaluation,andtoaddresstheStandardsbywhichtheBoardmakesitsaccreditationdecisions.Thisevaluationoftheself-studyreportshouldbeincludedintheintroductionofeachevaluationcommittee’sreport.
III.B Guidelinesforinstitutionalpetitionsandothermatters
ThefollowingguidelinesareformallyadoptedpoliciesoftheBoard,whicharepublishedseparatelyforeaseofdistributiontoschoolspreparingpetitionsandothermatters.AlloriginaldocumentssubmittedtotheBoardmustbeinEnglishoraccompaniedbyEnglishtranslations.Pleasenotethatmostpetitionshaveformaltemplates(availableontheAccreditingsectionoftheATSwebsite)thatmustbeused.TheBoardwillreviewallpetitionsforsubstantivechangesthataredescribedintheATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.C.1.ATSCommissionstaffwillreviewpetitionsthataredescribedintheATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.C.3.
III .B .1 ConductinganInstitutionalSelf-Study(Self-Study Handbook,ChapterTwo)
III .B .2 EvaluationofProposalsforProgramsofInternationalTheologicalEducation(Self-Study Handbook,ChapterSix)
III .B .3 MembersofAccreditationEvaluationCommittees(Self-Study Handbook,ChapterFour)
III .B .4 PetitioningtheBoardofCommissionersforApprovalofNeworRevisedDegreePrograms(Policies and Procedures,V;Policy Manual,Appendix3)
III .B .5 PetitioningtheBoardofCommissionersforCandidacyforAccreditedMembership(PoliciesandProcedures,II)
III .B .6 PetitioningtheBoardofCommissionersforEducationalExperimentsandExceptions
III .B .7 PetitioningtheBoardofCommissionersregardingMultipleLocations(ExtensionSites)andDistanceEducation(PoliciesandProcedures,VIPolicy Manual, II.A.1,Appendix3,Appendix6)
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 20 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
III .B .8 RegardingComprehensiveEvaluationLogistics(Self-Study Handbook,ChapterThree)
III .B .9 RegardingtheSubmissionofTeach-outPlansandAgreements(Policies and Procedures,III.E;Policy Manual,Appendix5
IV Appeals Panel
IV .A TheBoardrequirestheNominatingCommitteetonominatetotheAppealsPanelatleastonepersonineachofthefollowingprimaryroles:afacultymember,anadministrator,aministrypractitioner,andapublicmember.
IV .B AppealsPanelmembersaresubjecttothesameconflictofinterestproceduresandpoliciesasapplytomembersoftheBoardofCommissionersand,uponelection,willsignthestatementonconflictofinterest.AppealsPanelmembersshallreceivetraininginthecontentandinterpretationoftheStandardsofAccreditation,Policies and Procedures(includingthereviewandevaluationofdistanceeducation),andanyconcernsrelatedtothespecificissuesofanappeal.
IV .C TheAppealsPanelshallelectfromamongitsmembersachair,vicechair,andsecre-tary.Thechairshallcallmeetingsbyprovidingnoticeofthedate,time,andplace.ThechairisresponsiblefordeterminingtheagendaformeetingsoftheAppealsPanel,conveningtheAppealsPanel,andchairingitsmeetings.ThevicechairconvenesandchairsmeetingsoftheAppealsPanelattherequestofthechair.ThesecretaryrecordstheactionsoftheAppealsPanelandcommunicatestheactionstotheBoardofCommissioners.
IV .D TheBoardofCommissionersistoreportAppealsPanelactionstoschoolsnolaterthan30daysafteritisnotifiedofthedateoftheaction.
IV .E VacanciesoccurringontheAppealsPanelbydeath,resignation,refusalorinabil-itytoserve,orotherwisebetweenBiennialMeetingsshallbefilledbymajorityvoteoftheBoardofCommissioners.EachAppealsPanelmembersoappointedshallserveuntilthenextBiennialMeetinganduntilthemember’ssuccessoriselectedandqualifiedoruntilsuchmember’sdeath,resignation,orremoval.TheremovalofanyAppealsPanelmembershallbebytheBoardofCommissionersupontherecommendationofamajorityoftheAppealsPanelmemberssubjecttothesamecausesasarticulatedintheCommissionBylaws(3.14).
IV .F Intheeventthatamatterentersintoanylevelofappeal,theBoardandmovingparty/partiesshallhavetherighttorepresentationinpersonandbycounsel,ifdesiredandatcosttotheparty/partiesrepresentedbycounsel.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 21 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
V DisclosureandConfidentiality
V .A Accredited members
V .A .1 InstitutionsshalldisclosetheircompleteaccreditedstatusasrequiredbythePolicies and Procedures,X.A.2.Ifaninadequateorinaccuratedescriptionispub-lished,theBoardauthorizesstafftocontacttheschoolandrequireacorrectionofthepublishedstatement.Iftheschoolfailstocorrecttheissue,staffwillrefertheissuetotheBoardforaction.
V .A .2 TheMembership ListreportstheformalaccreditedstatusofschoolsandwillnotbepublisheduntilthestatedperiodforreceivingappealsofBoardactionshasexpired(cf.Policies and Procedures,XI.A).Noadverseaccreditingactionwillbepub-lishedwhileitisundergoingreview.
V .A .3 IfaschoolhasnotcorrectedinaccuratepublicdisclosureofitsaccreditedstatuswiththeCommissiononAccrediting,afterrequestedbyATSCommissionstaff,theBoardwillimposeNotation2.duntiltheappropriatecorrectionismadeand,ifthecorrectionisnotmadewithintherequiredtimeperiod,imposeanadverseaccreditingaction.
V .B Candidate members
V .B .1 TheinstitutionshallpublishitsformalstatuswiththeCommission.
V .B .2 TheBoardwillpublishalistofschoolsthathavebeengrantedCandidateforAccreditedMembershipstatusintheMembership List
V.C Self-studyreports
V .C .1 Aninstitutionmayreleaseforinternalorpublicdistributionthecontentsofitsself-study.
V .C .2 TheBoardmaypermitrepresentativesfrommemberinstitutionsaccesstoanotherinstitution’sself-studyreporttoaidintheself-studyprocess.Thisaccesswillbepermittedonlyifaninstitutionhasgivenpriorapprovalforuseofitsself-studyinthisway.TheBoardmayalsoapprovetheuseofself-studyreportsbyeducatorswhoareconductingresearch,thepurposeofwhichistheimprovementoftheaccreditingprocess.TheentitiesthatformallyrecognizetheCommissiononAccreditingmaybeallowedaccesstoself-studyreportsinconjunctionwiththeprocessofpetitioningforcontinuedrecognition.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 22 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
V.D Evaluationcommitteereportsandrecommendations
V .D .1 Aspartoftheaccreditationprocess,reportsandrecommendationspre-paredbyCommissionevaluationcommitteesshallbemadeavailabletogoverningboardsandfacultiesbythechiefadministrativeofficersofschools.
V .D .2 TherecommendationsoftheevaluationcommitteetotheBoardmaynotbepublishedbytheinstitution.OnlytheactionsoftheBoardcomprisetheformalaccreditation.
V .D .3 Aninstitutionmaymakepublicthereportofanevaluationcommittee,althoughthisisnotmandatory,butitisnotadvisablepriortoformalBoardaction.Iftheinstitutionmakesareportpublic,itmustmakeclearthatthedocumentisareportoftheevaluationcommitteetotheBoardandisnotanactionoftheBoard.
V .D .4 If,inthejudgmentoftheBoard,aschoolpublishesselectedportionsofanaccreditingcommitteereportinsuchawayastodistorttheoverallimportofthatreport,theBoardhastheauthoritytoreleasethefulltextofthereportinquestion.
V .D .5 TheBoardwillnotreleaseevaluationcommitteereportstothepublic.Withtheapprovaloftheinstitution,theBoardmayapproveaccesstoareporttothoseconductingresearchthatcontributestotheimprovementoftheaccreditingprocess.EvaluatingcommitteereportsmaybeexaminedbytheentitiesthatrecognizetheCommissiononAccreditingonlyinthecontextofreviewsoftheCommissiononAccreditingbythoseagenciesforthepurposeofrecognition.
V .D .6 Ifaschoolpublishes,ormakespublic,inaccurateinformationrelatedtoitsaccreditedstatusorrelationshipwiththeCommission,theBoardshallrequiretheschooltopubliclycorrecttheinaccurateinformation,ortheBoardwillissuecorrectinformation.
V.E Otheraccreditingdocuments
V .E .1 MinutesoftheBoardareavailabletothemembersoftheBoard.AsummaryreportofallactionsoftheBoardispublishedbienniallyintheBulletin
V .E .2 AninstitutionthathasofficiallyappealedanadverseactionoftheBoardmayrequestthosesectionsofofficialminutespertainingtotheadverseaction.
V .E .3 CorrespondencebetweentheBoardandamemberorapplyinginstitutionmustbetreatedconfidentiallybybothparties,thoughofficialactionsfromavisitwillbesharedwiththechairofthatvisit.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 23 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
V .E .4 Institutionalprogressandfollow-upreportswillnotbereleasedtothepublicbytheBoard.Thesereports,however,maybereleasedbytheinstitutionafteractionhasbeentakenbytheBoard.
V .E .5 Inconjunctionwiththerecognitionprocess,theBoardwillshareitscorrespondencetomemberschoolswiththeappropriateregionalaccreditingagen-cies;withtheCouncilforHigherEducationAccreditationandtheUSDepartmentofEducation;and,asrequired,withappropriatestateorprovincialauthorities.
V.F Publicstatementsbyinstitutions
V .F .1 IfaninstitutionusesthepublicforumtotakeissuewithanactionoftheBoardrelatingtothatinstitution,thechairoftheBoardmaymakeavailabletothepublicanyinformationpertinenttotheaction.TakingissueinapublicforumdoesnotincludeanannouncementbyaninstitutionthatitintendstoappealanactionoftheBoard
V .F .2 PressreleasesandnewsitemsthatmaybecomenecessaryastheresultoftheBoard’sactionsshallbemadeonlybytheexecutivedirectorafterconsultationwiththeBoardchair.
V.G Commissiondisclosureofinformationaboutmemberorapplyinginstitutions
TheCommissiondisclosesrequiredinformationpromptlyandispreparedtodisclosecertaininformationuponrequestaccordingtothefollowingpolicies:
V .G .1 Requiredbygovernmentalauthoritiesandotheraccreditingagencies
V .G .1 .a TheBoardmaintainsseveralpoliciesregardingthedisclosureofaccrediting-relatedinformationandactionstoregionalaccreditingagencies,governmentalauthorities,themembershipoftheCommission,andthepublic.
V .G .1 .b TheBoardwillnotifytheUSDepartmentofEducationofanypro-posedchangetotheBoardPolicy Manual,CommissionPolicies and Procedures, orCommissionStandardsofAccreditationthatmightalteritsscopeofrecog-nitionorcompliancewiththecriteriaforrecognition.
V .G .1 .c BoardpolicyonthecommunicationofBoardaccreditingdecisionsrequiresthatallactionsmustbecommunicatedtotheschoolsaffectedbytheactionswithin30daysofthedateoftheaction.Schoolshave30daysfromreceiptofthecommunicationofBoardactiontoappealdecisionsregardingfailuretoapprovenewdegrees,extensionsites,ordistanceeducationpro-grams;theimpositionofanotation;theimpositionofprobation;oranadverseaction.Suchactionsbecomefinalafterthedeadlineforappeals(the“appeal
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 24 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
date”).AllotheractionsarefinalupontheinitialBoardaction(the“decisiondate”).
V .G .1 .d Within30daysofthedeadlineforappealsofBoardactions,theBoardwillnotifytheUSSecretaryofEducation,appropriatestatelicensingorauthorizingagencies,andregionalaccreditingbodiesofallactionsrelatedtotheformalaccreditedstatusofCommissionmemberschools.InthecaseofafinalBoardactiontodeny,withdraw,orsuspendaccreditationofaUSinstitu-tion,theBoardwillnotifytheSecretaryatthesametimeitnotifiestheinsti-tutionofthisaction(theappealdate),anditwillreportthisdecisiononthewebpageforthatmemberschoolintheMemberSchoolssectionoftheATSwebsitewithin24hours.TheBoardwillprovidewithin60daysabriefstate-mentonthewebpageforthememberschoolintheMemberSchoolssectionoftheATSwebsitesummarizingthereasonsfortheactiontodeny,withdraw,orterminatetheaccreditationoftheinstitution,anditwillincludethecom-mentsoftheaffectedinstitutionwithregardtothedecision.
V .G .1 .e TheBoardwillnotifyinwritingtheOfficeofFederalStudentAidconcerningactionsonsubstantivechanges,asappropriate,within30daysoffinalaction(thedecisiondate).
V .G .1 .f TheBoardwillnotifytheUSSecretaryofEducation,theappropri-atestatelicensingorauthorizingagency,theappropriateaccreditingagen-cies,andthepublicifanAccreditedMemberorCandidateforAccreditedMembershipinstitution(a)decidestowithdrawvoluntarilyfromaccreditedorcandidatestatus,within30daysofreceivingnotificationfromtheinstitu-tionorprogramthatitiswithdrawingvoluntarilyfromaccreditedorcandidatestatusor(b)letsitsaccreditationorcandidatestatuslapse,within30daysofthedateonwhichaccreditedorcandidatestatuslapses.
V .G .1 .g ATSCommissionstaffwillnotifytheUSSecretaryofEducationwhenreasonableevidencesuggeststhataninstitutionmaybefailingtomeetitsTitleIVprogramresponsibilitiesorisengagedinfraudulentactivitieswithregardtoTitleIVprogramresponsibilities.TheBoardwillalsoprovideinforma-tion,uponrequestbytheUSSecretaryofEducation,regardingcomplianceofanaccreditedinstitutionwithTitleIVresponsibilities.TheBoardwillnotnotifytheinstitutionofanynotificationtotheUSSecretaryofEducationpursuanttothispolicy.
V .G .1 .h TheMembership ListwillidentifyallinstitutionswhosestatusislistedasAccreditedMembersandCandidateforAccreditedMembershipaswellasinstitutionswhosemembershiphasbeenremovedfromAccredited
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 25 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
MemberorCandidateforAccreditedMembershipstatus,placedonproba-tion,orwithdrawingfromcandidacyoraccreditedmembershipduringtheyearprecedingthepublicationoftheMembership List.AcopyoftheMembership ListwillbesubmittedannuallytotheUSSecretaryofEducation.
V .G .1 .i Ifanaccreditedorcandidateforaccreditedmemberreceivesanadverseaccreditingaction,orisplacedonprobationorequivalentstatusbyanotherrecognizedinstitutionalaccreditingagency,orifthelargerinstitu-tionofwhichthememberisapartreceivesanadverseaccreditingactionorisplacedonprobationbyitsaccreditingagency,theBoardwillauthorizeafocusedevaluationcommitteetovisittheinstitutiontodetermineiftheBoardshouldconsideranadverseactiononthememberinstitution.
V .G .1 .j IftheBoarddeterminesthataninstitutionisincompliancewithCommissionStandardsandproceedswithappropriateaction(i.e.,grantinginitialorrenewedaccreditationorcandidacy)eventhoughitknows,orhasreasonablecausetoknow,thattheinstitutionisthesubjectof(1)adecisionbyanotherUSDepartmentofEducation-recognizedaccreditingbodytodenyaccreditationorpreaccreditation,imposeprobation,orequivalentstatus;or(2)anadverseaccreditingactionbyanotherUSDepartmentofEducation-recognizedaccreditingbody;or(3)apendingorfinalactionbroughtbyastateagencyleadingtosuspension,revocation,withdrawal,orterminationofitslegalauthoritytoprovidepostsecondaryeducationinthestate,theBoardwillprovidetotheUSSecretaryofEducation,within30days,athoroughwrittenexplanationastowhytheactionoftheotherbodydoesnotprecludetheBoard’saction.
V .G .1 .k IftheBoardreaffirmsaccreditationorgrantsinitialaccredita-tiontoaUSinstitutionthatisthesubjectofanadverseaction(i.e.,denial,withdrawal,suspension,orrevocationofaccreditation)orisplacedonproba-tionbyanotherrecognizedaccreditingbodyorastateagency,theBoardwillformallynotifytheUSSecretaryofEducation,aswellasappropriatestateandrecognizedaccreditingagencies,astothereasonforitsactions.
V .G .1 .l TheBoardofCommissionerswillcommunicatethefollowingposi-tiveaccreditingdecisionstotheUSDepartmentofEducation,relevantstateagencies,andanyaccreditingagenciesthataccredittheinstitutionswithin30daysofthedecision(thedecisiondate;seeV.G.1.c–d):grantofcandidacy,grantorreaffirmationofaccreditation,newextensionsitesthatofferatleasthalfofacompletedegreeprogram,andchangeofnameorownership.Itwillalsopostthisinformationonthewebpageofthememberschoolinthe
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 26 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
MemberSchoolssectionoftheATSwebsiteforthepublicwithin30daysofthedecisiondate.
V .G .1 .m TheBoardofCommissionerswillcommunicatethefollowingnegativeaccreditingdecisionstotheUSDepartmentofEducation,relevantstateagencies,andanyrecognizedaccreditingagenciesthataccredittheinstitutionwithin30daysofthefinalappealdate(appealdate;seeV.G.1.c–d):imposeanotation,placeaninstitutiononprobation,denyinitialaccreditation,orwithdrawaccreditation,includinganyvoluntarywithdrawalorlapsingofaccreditation.TheBoardwillnotifythepublicwithin24hoursofnotifyingtheinstitutionofanyfinaldecision(aftertheappealprocess)todeny,withdraw,orsuspendaccreditation(perV.G.1.c–d).ItwilldosobypostingthisinformationonthewebpageofthememberschoolintheMemberSchoolssectionoftheATSwebsite.
V .G .2 Responsivedisclosures
V .G .2 .a TheBoardroutinelyreleasesthefollowinginformationontheMemberSchoolssectionoftheATSwebsite(anduponinquirywillreleaseinformationonthoseitemssonotedbelow):
V .G .2 .a(1) Membershipandaccreditedstatus
V .G .2 .a(2) Thedateswhenassociatemembership,candidacy,andinitialaccreditationwereobtained
V .G .2 .a(3) Thedatesofthelastcomprehensiveevaluationandofthenextscheduledcomprehensiveevaluation
V .G .2 .a(4) Thedateofthenextscheduledfocusedevaluation,ifany,andtheformalreasonsforit
V .G .2 .a(5) Uponinquiry,thedateaformalapplicationforcandidacybeganandtheestimateddateadecisionontheapplicationwillbemade
V .G .2 .a(6) Thedateofdenialofcandidacyorremovalfromcandidacy
V .G .2 .a(7) Uponinquiry,theduedateofandactiontakenonthemostrecentwrittenreportrequiredbytheBoardduringthecurrentgrantofaccreditation
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 27 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
V .G .2 .a(8) TheBoard’sactionsubsequenttothelastevaluationregardingaccreditation
V .G .2 .a(9) Uponinquiry,whetheraninstitutionhasappealedanadverseaccreditingactionoftheBoardandthestatusandoutcomeofsuchappeal
V .G .2 .a(10) Actionsoftheappropriateappealbodieswithreasonsfortheactions
V .G .2 .b Inallcasesofadverseaccreditingactions,apublicstatementabouttheactionwillbepostedonthewebpageforthememberschoolintheMemberSchoolssectionoftheATSwebsite,includinganyresponsetheinstitutionmaychoosetomake.TheBoardreservestherighttomakefinaldeterminationofthenatureandcontentofthepublicstatement.TheBoardwillidentifythereasonsfortheadverseaccreditingactioninthepublicstate-ment.ThisstatementmaybethesameoneidentifiedinV.G.1.d.
V .G .2 .c TheBoardofCommissionerswillshareinformationregardinganyaccreditingaction,includingadverseactions,attherequestofanappropri-atelyrecognizedaccreditingagencyforthatinformation.
V .G .3 Otherdisclosures
V .G .3 .a TheBoardshallmakeareportonitsworktoeachBiennialMeeting.
V .G .3 .b TheBoard’ssummaryreport,publishedbiennially,willidentifyinstitutionsdeniedmembership,orremovedfromcandidacyoraccreditedmembership,orplacedonprobation,orwithdrawingfromcandidateoraccreditedmembershipduringtheperiodofthatreport.
V .G .3 .c TheBoardofCommissionersunderstandssectionES.6.4.4oftheEducational Standardtorequireschoolstomakepublicastatementofeduca-tionaleffectivenessinordertoaddressconcernsaboutpublicaccountabilityregardingstudentachievement.Aschool’spublicstatementofeducationaleffectivenessshouldprovidedataonhowwellitismeetingthegoalsorout-comesforeachofitsdegreeprograms,aswellasdatafrommoreinstitution-widemeasuresofeducationaleffectiveness.Thestatementmaybeginwithaschool’sprogramgoalsoroutcomes,butitmustalsoprovideevidenceofhowwellthosearebeingachieved.Thatevidenceshouldincludeassessmentdatathatisdirectandindirect,quantitativeandqualitative.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 28 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Forexample,aschool’spublicstatementofeducationaleffectivenessmightincludethefollowinginformationforeachdegreeprogram:graduationrates,placementrates,timetocompletionrates,numbersofcompleters,ratingsfromstudentsatisfactionsurveysand/orexitinterviews,alumni/aeratings,summarydatafromcourseevaluationforms,assessmentdatafromcapstoneprojectsandportfolios,andotherrelevantassessmentdata.Whilevoluntary,informationfromtheATSGraduatingStudentQuestionnaireandAlumni/aeQuestionnairecouldalsobehelpful,aswellasstudentandalumni/aetestimo-nies.Thepublicstatementofeducationaleffectivenessshouldbereviewedandupdatedregularly,preferablyannually.MemberschoolsmustprovidethewebaddressforitspublicstatementeachfallontheATSAnnualReportForm.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 29 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
VI Complaints
VI .A General Statement
TheCommissionrequirestheBoard,whichmayactasawholeorthroughadesignatedcom-mittee,toevaluatecomplaintsregardingmemberinstitutions,theBoarditself,oritsATSCommissionstaff.
VI .B Scope
VI .B .1 TheCommission’scomplaintpolicyaddressesonlythosesituationswhereacomplainantclearlydescribesandsufficientlydocumentsperceivednon-conformitywiththeCommission’sStandardsofAccreditationand/ormembershipcriterionbyamemberschool.Complaintsthatmeetthesecriteriaareunderstoodtohavestandinginthecomplaintprocess.
VI .B .2 TheCommission’sStandardsofAccreditationrequirethatinstitutionshaveclearlydefinedprocessesforaddressingfaculty,employee,andstudentgrievances.Potentialcomplainantsare,therefore,expectedtoexhaustamemberschool’sowncomplaintorgrievancepoliciesbeforesubmittingacomplainttotheATSCommissiononAccrediting.Complaintsmustbefiledwithinayearafteranyapplicablecomplaintorgrievanceprocedureatthememberschoolhasbeencompleted.DecisionsoftheBoardrelatedtocomplaintsarenotsubjecttoappeal.
VI .B .3 TheBoardofCommissionersdoesnotconsidercomplaintsthatdealwithindividualgrievancesnotrelatedtotheCommission’sStandardsofAccreditation,doesnotarbitratewithaschoolonbehalfofacomplainant,norisitauthorizedtoseekcompensation,damages,readmission,orotherformsofredressonbehalfofacom-plainant.TheBoardislimitedtodecisionsregardinganinstitution’saccreditedstatus.
VI .B .4 TheBoarddoesnotconsideranonymouscomplaints,butmay,inexcep-tionalcircumstances,maintaintheidentityofthecomplainantinconfidenceaspro-videdforbytheprocess.
VI .C Complaints regarding member schools
VI .C .1 UponreceiptofacomplaintsubmittedontheATSCommissionformalcomplaintform,thecomplaintwillbereviewedtodetermineifsufficientdocumenta-tionexistsforthecomplaintprocesstoproceedandadeterminationregardingstand-ingtobemade.Thecomplainantwillreceiveconfirmationofreceiptofthecomplaintwithin15workingdaysand,atthattime,anyadditionalinformationrequiredtoprocessthecomplaintwillbeidentifiedandcommunicatedtothecomplainant.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 30 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
VI .C .2 Afterthereceiptofallnecessaryinformation,oneoftwodeterminationswillbemade:(1)thecomplaintdoesnotfallunderthepurviewoftheCommission’scomplaintpolicyandwillnotbepursuedfurther;or(2)thecomplaintmayordoesfallwithinthepurviewoftheCommissioncomplaintpolicyandwillbereferredforfurtherreviewtotheBoardofCommissioners.Thecomplainantwillbenotifiedwhichdeter-minationwasmadewithin15workingdays.
VI .C .3 IfacomplaintisreferredtotheBoard,oneofthefollowingactionswillbetakenwithin30workingdays:
VI .C .3 .a Determinethatthecomplaintdoesnothavestandingandtakenofurtheraction,therebyclosingthematterforfurtherreview.Thecomplain-antwillbenotifiedofthedecisionwithanappropriateexplanationwithin15workingdaysoftheaction.
VI .C .3 .b Determinethatthecomplainthasstandingwithreferencetostan-dardsofaccreditation,notifythememberschoolofthecomplaintwithappro-priatedescription,andrequiretheschooltorespondwithinthirtyworkingdays.
VI .C .4 Iftheschoolhasbeenaskedtorespond,acopyoftheschool’sresponsewillbeprovidedtothecomplainantandtotheBoard.OneofthefollowingactionswilltypicallybetakenbytheBoardwithin30workingdays:
VI .C .4 .a Determinethatadditionalinformationfromeitherthecomplain-antand/ortheschoolisneededbeforeadecisioncanbemade.Insuchinstances,anyadditionalinformationrequiredtoprocessthecomplaintwillbeidentifiedandcom-municatedtothecomplainantand/ortheschool.Thecomplainantand/ortheschoolwillhave30workingdaystorespondpriortotheBoardtakingactionasnotedinVI.C.4b.
VI .C .4 .b Determinethattheschool’sresponseissufficientandtakeoneofthefollowingthreeactions:
VI .C .4 .b(1) Determinethattheschool’sresponsesatisfactorilyaddressestheissue(s)raisedinthecomplaintandtakenofurtheraction,thusclosingthematter;
VI .C .4 .b(2) Determinethatsufficientreasonexiststowarrantfurtherreview,andtorequireanadditionalwrittenreportfromtheschooland/ortoauthorizeastafforfocusedvisittotheschool,inwhichcasethevisitingcommitteewillprepareareportforconsiderationbytheBoardofCommissionersatthemeetingimmediatelyfollowingthevisit;or
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 31 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
VI .C .4 .b(3) Determinethatotheraction(s)shouldbetakenasdescribedinCommissionPoliciesandProcedures,sectionVII.
VI .C .5 ThecomplainantandtheschoolwilltypicallybenotifiedoftheBoard’sdecisionwithin15workingdaysoftheaction.
VI .C .6 TheBoardwillprocesscomplaintsinatimelymanner,andinnocasewillitsresponse(seeVI.C.4.b)occurlaterthanthesecondBoardmeetingfollowingreceiptofacomplaintdeterminedtohavestanding(seeVI.C.3).
VI .C .7 TheCommissionstandardsrequireschoolstotreatindividualsinfairandethicalways,andthisincludesthetreatmentofcomplainants.
VI .D Complaints regarding the Board or its personnel
VI .D .1 TheBoardwillreview,atitsfirstmeetingfollowingreceipt,confirmedformalcomplaintsregardingitsownconductinthecontextoftheATSCommissionPoliciesandProceduresandthepoliciestheBoardhasestablishedinthePolicyManualoftheBoardofCommissionerstodetermineifithasfailedtofunctionwithintheparametersestablishedbytheproceduresorpolicies.IftheBoarddeterminesthatitsactiondoesnotconformtotheseproceduresandpolicies,itwillcorrectitsprac¬ticeandreviewanydecisionrelatedtothecomplaint.Confirmedformalcom-plaintsregardingATSCommissionstaffwillbereviewedbytheexecutivedirectorwithinthirtydaysfollowingreceiptand,attherequestoftheexecutivedirector,bytheBoard.ThereviewwilloccurinthecontextoftheCommissionPoliciesandProceduresandtheBoardPolicyManual.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 32 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 1
ListofApprovedAdministrativePractices1. ArchivedAccreditingRecordsATSCommissionstaffmembersareresponsibleformaintainingaccreditingrecordsaccordingtotheBoardofCommissioners’(“Board”)policy(Policy Manual,II.C.2)andformaintaininganinventoryoftheserecords.
2. VisitCycleChecklistATSCommissionstaffmembersareresponsibleformaintainingalogofactivityforeachschoolreceivingacomprehensiveevaluationvisit.Thislogshouldnoteboththeactivityand,inthosecaseswhereBoardpolicyrequiresamandatorytimeinterval,anoteshouldbemadethattheseintervalshavebeenmaintained(seePolicy Manual,II.B.8)SeealsoAppendix2,“TimeFrameforInstitutionsRespondingtoCommitteeReports.”
3. PostingofSelf-Studies,InstitutionalAccreditationHistories,andEvaluationCommitteeReports
ATSCommissionstaffmembersareresponsibleforpostingself-studies,institutionalaccreditationhis-tories,andevaluationcommitteereportstothesecurewebsiteoftheBoardofCommissioners.Staffmembersareresponsiblefornotifyingfirstandsecondreadersasthesematerialsarepostedfortheschoolstheywillpresent(seePolicy Manual,II.B.7).
4. ComprehensiveEvaluationTargetedIssueChecklistComprehensiveevaluationcommitteesareresponsibleforcompletingtheTargetedIssueChecklist(TIC)toensurethatspecificissuesrelatedtotheStandardsofAccreditationandthePolicies and Procedureshavebeenassessedduringthevisit.TheTICshallbesubmittedwiththecommittee’sfinalreport.ATSCommissionstaffmemberswillincludetheTICinthematerialsenttoschoolsandaspartofthematerialprovidedonthesecurewebsiteoftheBoardofCommissioners(seePolicy Manual, III.A.3.b).
5. SubstantiveChangeGuidelineATSCommissionstaffshallprovideguidancetoassistmemberschoolsinthepreparationofsubstan-tivechangepetitions.PleaseseeAppendix3,“GuidelinesRegardingPetitionsforChange”todeter-minewhenaschoolactionissimplymakingaminoradjustmentandwhenanadjustmentbecomesasubstantivechange.Theguidelineshallcontaincriteriafordeterminingandterminologyforcharacter-izingsubstantivechangethresholds(seePolicy Manual,II.C.11).
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 33 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
6. MonitoringContinuingImplementationTheBoardofCommissionersauthorizesATSCommissionstaffmemberstomonitoryear-to-yearchangesinenrollment,placement,graduationratesandfinancialstrength,asreportedontheAnnualReportForms.
Forthepurposeofthismonitoringthefollowingthresholdswillbeusedtodetermineifachangeissignificant(withallowancemadeforpercentchangesthatreflectsmallactualnumbers):
a. Headcountenrollmentof±50percent(includingtotalinstitutionalanddistanceeducationenrollmentasseparatecategories)
b. Overallplacementrates(inappropriatepositionswithinoneyearofgraduation)thatarebelow50percentorforwhichatleast50percentarereportedasunknown
c. Overallgraduationrates(foralldegreescombined)thatarebelow25percent
d. Unrestrictedfundbalancereductionby25percentormoreinoneyear
e. Cumulativelossesinoperationsoverthelastthreeyears
Whenasignificantchangeisnoted,theATSCommissionstaffwillasktheschooltoexplainthefactorsthatledtovariationandindicateitsunderstandingoftheeffectofthechangeontheschool’sconformitytotheCommission’sStandardsofAccreditationandonitseducationaleffectiveness.Ifaschool’sresponsesuggestsfurtherfollowupisnecessary,theATSCommissionstaffwillreferthemattertotheBoardofCommissionersforaction.TheBoardofCommissionersmayrequireareport,afocusedevaluation,oraspecialcomprehensiveevaluationreview(seePolicy Manual,II.C.5).
7. RegularReviewofCommissionMemberSchoolsATSCommissionstaffwillundertakeanddocumentaregularreviewoftheATSwebsiteofeachmemberschooltodocumenteachschool’sdisclosureofitscompleteaccreditedstatusandtheprovi-sionoftheCommission’smailingaddressandtelephonenumber.ReferencesshallcomplywiththedesignationsintheMembership List astoaccreditedstatus,approveddegreeprograms,andapprovedlocationsforofferingdegreesifotherthantheinstitution’sprimarylocation.Iftheschoolisonproba-tion,thisstatusshallalsobedisclosed(seeATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,X.A.2andX.A.3).
8 . Teach-Out PlansATSCommissionstaffmemberswillmaintainacumulativerecordofteach-outplansthatinvolveclosinganextensionsite,orbranchcampus,orwhentheinstitutionitselfclosesandwillassesswhethereachteach-outplan,asproposedandapproved,hasbeenimplementedeffectively(seePolicy Manual,II.C.3andII.C.4).TheBoardofCommissionerswillevaluateanyteach-outplanoragreement,usingAppendix5,“CriteriaforEvaluatingTeach-OutPlansandAgreements.”
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 34 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
9. ComplaintPolicyATSCommissionstaffwillmaintainacumulativerecordofcomplaints,ensuringthatcomplaintsreceivedaremanagedaccordingtotheBoard’srevisedcomplaintpolicies.Thecumulativerecordwillincludeacomplaintprocedureschecklistforeachcomplaintreceived (seePolicy Manual,VI.B).
Appendix 2
TimeFrameforRespondingtoCommitteeReports• Anevaluationcommitteeistoprovidetheschoolreviewedwithitsrecommendationsduringan
exitsessionattheconclusionofthevisit.
• Anevaluationcommitteeistoprovidetheschoolreviewedwithacompletedraftofitsreportforacheckoffactualerrors.Theschoolhastwoweekstoconductthischeckforfactualerrors.Anyfactualerrorsdiscoveredarereportedtotheevaluationcommitteeforcorrectingthecommitteereport.
• Uponthesubmissionofthefinalcommitteereport,theCommissionofficeprovidestheschoolwiththefinalreport.Afterthereceiptofthefinalcommitteereport,theschoolthenhasanadditionaltwoweeks(beyondthetwoweeksnotedabovewhenitfirstreceivedthecommitteereport)tosubmitadditionalmaterialsand/orchallengethecommittee’sfindings.Materialssubmit-tedbytheschoolareprovidedtotheBoardofCommissionersalongwiththeself-studyreportandtheevaluationcommitteereport.Aschoolmayelecttoreducethistotalfour-weekperiodbyformallynotifyingtheCommissionofficeearlierthatitissatisfiedwiththecommitteereport.
ThistimelinedoesnotlimittherightforschoolrepresentativestoaddresstheBoardofCommissionersorappropriateBoardsubcommitteesinperson.Thatface-to-faceopportunitypro-videstheschoolwithatleastanotherfourweeks—beyondtheoriginalfourweeksdescribedabove—topresentadditionalmaterialsand/orchallengethecommittee’sfindings.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 35 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 3
GuidelinesRegardingPetitionsforChangeTheBoardofCommissionershasadoptedthefollowingpolicyregardingpetitionsforchange(seealsoATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VII.C).
1 SubstantivechangesthatrequirepetitioningforBoardapprovalincludethefollowing:changeinaninstitution’sfundamentalmission,legalstatus,ownership,name,location,orgoverningcontrol;changeinlocation(s)atwhichaninstitutionoffersatleast50percentofaneducationalprogram(seeATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VI);introductionofsixormoredistancelearningcourses(seeATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,VI);theofferingofanewdegreeprogram(seeATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,V);achangeintypeofeducationalunits;anewcontractormajorchangesinexistingcontractsforeducationaloradministrativeservicesthatwouldaffecttheschool’sconformitytotheStandardsofAccreditation(includinganycontractforeducationalofferingswithanentitynoteligibletoparticipateinTitleIVprograms);theacquisitionofanyotherinstitutionoranyprogramorlocationofanotherinstitution;andtheadditionofapermanentlocationatasiteatwhichtheinstitutionisconductingateach-outforstudentsofanotherinstitutionthathasceasedoperatingbeforeallstudentshavecompletedtheirprogramofstudy.
2 InadditiontosubstantivechangesthatrequirepetitioningtheBoardforapproval,certainothersignificantbutnonsubstantivechangesrequireeitherapetitionornotificationtoATSCommissionstaff. ChangesrequiringapetitiontoandapprovalbyATSCommissionstaffinclude(1)changeindegreenomenclatureand(2)openingofanextensionsitethatofferslessthan50percentofadegreeprogram(i.e.,onenotrequiringasitevisit). ChangesthatrequirenotificationtoandacknowledgementbyATSCommissionstaffinclude(1)theterminationofadegreeprogramatalocation(maincampusorextensionsite)thatwillcontinueinoperation(i.e.,onenotrequiringateach-outplanoragreement)and(2)theclosingofanextensionsitethatofferslessthan100percentofadegreeprogram(i.e.,onenotrequiringateach-outplanoragreement). Inaddition,schoolsconsideringamajorrevisiontoanapproveddegreeprogramthatcouldaffectitscontinuedadherencetoCommissionStandardsshouldconsultwithATSCommissionstafftodetermineiftherevisionconstitutesachangesignificantenoughtorequireformalapproval(see3.e–gbelowforfurtherguidance).
3 Toassistmemberschools,thefollowinginterpretivestatementsfurtherclarifywhenasubstantivechangerequiresapetitionandformalapprovalbytheBoardofCommissioners.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 36 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
a. TheexpansionofinstitutionalmissionorobjectivebeyondpreparingpersonsforministryorprovidinggraduatestudyinthevarioustheologicaldisciplinesrequiresformalactionbytheBoardofCommissioners.Revisionsorrestatementsofinstitutionmissionorobjective,whichretainaprimaryfocusonpreparingpersonsforministryorprovidinggraduatestudyinthevarioustheologicaldisciplinesarechangesthatdonotrequireasubstantivechangepetition.
b. ThechangeoflegalstatusrequiresapetitionandapprovalbytheBoardofCommissioners.Theseincludechangesfromanon-profitcorporationtoafor-profitcorporationorthereverseaction,orreincorporatinganinstitutioninadifferentjurisdiction.Institutionalnamechanges(includinganynew“doingbusinessas”designations)requireofficialnotificationtotheBoardofCommissionersandmaybeaddressedbytheOfficersCommitteeonbehalfoftheBoard.
c. Allchangesinownershiporgoverningcontrolofaninstitution,includingmergers,requiresub-stantivechangepetitionandboardapproval.Arestructuringofgovernance,includingrevisingofinstitutionalbylaws,withoutachangeofownershiporgoverningcontrol,doesnotrequireasubstantivechangepetition.
d. AchangeofphysicallocationforthemaincampusorextensionsiterequiresapetitiontotheBoardofCommissionersifthenewlocationoffersatleasthalfadegreeandapetitiontoATSCommissionstaffifitofferslessthanhalfadegree.Achangeofpostaladdress,withoutachangeofphysicallocation,requiresnotificationtotheBoardofCommissionersbutdoesnotrequireasubstantivechangepetition.
e. Asnotedin2above,schoolsconsideringamajorrevisiontoanapproveddegreeprogramthatcouldaffectitscontinuedadherencetoCommissionStandardsshouldconsultwithATSCommissionstafftodetermineiftherevisionconstitutesachangesignificantenoughtorequireformalapprovalbytheBoardofCommissioners(orbyoneofitsreaderpanels;seeAppendix7,section1),forexample,changingthecurriculumofaStandardDdegreeinsuchawaythatitmorecloselyalignswithaStandardBdegreeoraddingspecializationsinanapproveddegreewithoutadequateeducationalresources.Areductionintotaldegreeprogramhoursdoesnotnecessarilyconstituteasubstantivechange,unlessthereductionmeanstheprogramnolongermeetsthedurationrequirementsintheapplicabledegreeprogramstandard(typicallyinterpretedasatleast72semesterhoursforanMDivandatleast36semesterhoursforanMA).Insuchcases,apetitionforanexceptionisrequired.
f. AchangeindegreeprogramnomenclatureisasignificantbutnotsubstantivechangethatrequiresapetitiontoandapprovalfromATSCommissionstaffandcanbesubmittedatanytime.
g. Terminatingadegreeprogram,includingthesuspensionofadmissionstoadegreeprogramorahiatusinofferingadegreeprogramformorethanoneyear(atanylocation),doesnotrequireapetitionorteach-outplantotheBoardofCommissioners,butitdoesrequire
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 37 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
notification,includinghowtheeducationalneedsofcurrentstudentsinthatprogramwillbemet,andsubsequentnoticewhenthelaststudentgraduatesfromtheprogram.Ifaprogramissuspendedformorethanayearatanylocation,theschoolmustnotifyATSCommissionstaffofthatfact,whichwillbetreatedasaclosure.
h. Approvalofanypetitionforchangeiseffectivewiththedatespecifiedintheofficialaction.Suchapprovalexpectsthechangewillbeimplementedwithinayearofthatapprovaldate.Ifthechangecannotbeimplementedwithinthattimeframe,theschoolmustsubmitasatis-factoryexplanationforthedelayandamodifiedtimelineforimplementation.Absentimple-mentationofthechangeorgrantingarequestforadditionaltime,theapprovalwillexpireoneyearaftertheinitialgrantdate.Insuchcases,theschoolwouldneedtosubmitanewpetitionseekingpermissiontoimplementthechangeafterthatone-yearperiod.Inaddition,anycontingencyattachedtoanapprovedpetitionmustbesatisfiedbeforethechangecanbeimplemented,typicallywithinayear,unlesstheschoolprovidesasatisfactoryexplanationforthedelayandadditionaltimeisgranted.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 38 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 4
EvaluativeGuidelineforSpecialComprehensiveEvaluationsWhenconsideringthepossibilityofrequiringaspecialcomprehensiveevaluation,theBoardofCommissionersshallusethisguidelinetodetermineifsuchanevaluationmaybewarranted.TheBoardofCommissionersinitsdeterminationshouldgiveparticularattentiontoanydynamicedu-cationalchangescallingintoseriousquestiontheinstitution’sabilitytomaintainconformitytotheStandardsofAccreditation.Whenaspecialcomprehensiveevaluationisrequiredwithin12monthsofaregularlyscheduledcomprehensiveevaluationvisit,theBoardofCommissionersmayconsolidatethecomprehensivereviews.
Whenaspecialcomprehensiveevaluationisrequired,aprospectusfortheevaluationwillbeissuedtotheinstitutionstatingthereasonsforthespecialcomprehensiveevaluationandthedateforanevalu-ationcommitteesitevisit,andrequiringtheinstitutiontoprovideevidencetheinstitutionisoperatinginconformitytotheStandardsofAccreditationpriortothesitevisit.
Criteriaforauthorizingaspecialcomprehensiveevaluation:
1. Changeofgoverningcontrolorownership (incombinationwithanytwoofthefollowing):changeoflegalstatus,changeoffundamentalmission/purpose,changeoflocation,changeofeducationalunit,establishmentoftwoormoreextensionsites,establishmentofacomprehensivedistanceeducationprogram,acquisitionofanotherinstitutionoranyprogramorlocationofanotherinsti-tution,ordeclarationoffinancialexigency.
2. Multipleconcurrentsubstantivechanges(whenanythreeofthefollowingsubstantivechangesoccurwithin12months):changeoflegalstatus,changeoffundamentalmission/purpose,changeoflocation,acquisitionofanyotherinstitutionorofanyprogramorlocationofanotherinstitu-tion,ornewcontractormajorchangesinexistingcontractsforeducationaloradministrativeservicesthatwouldaffecttheschool’sconformitytotheStandardsofAccreditation.
3. Dynamicconcurrentchangesintheindicatorsofeducationalconditionsoreffectivenessinassociationwithsubstantivechanges(whenanytwoofthefollowingunanticipatedsignificantchangesandonesubstantivechangenotedinitem2aboveoccurwithin12months):unantici-patedsignificantenrollmentincreasesordecreases(morethan± 25percent),unanticipatedsignificantchangesinunrestrictedfundbalances(–25percentormore),unanticipatedsignificantchangesindistanceeducationenrollment(morethan±25percent),unanticipatedsignificantchangesintheplacementofgraduates(–25percentormore),unanticipatedsignificantreductionsinthenumberofthefull-timefaculty(50percentormore),ordeclarationoffinancialexigency.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 39 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 5
CriteriaforEvaluatingTeach-OutPlansandAgreementsWheneveramemberschooldecidestocloseacampus(ceaseoperationsentirelyatamainorbranchcampus)orclosealocationthatoffers100percentofadegreeprogram,itisrequiredtosubmitateach-outplanforapprovalinordertoensurethewelfareofenrolledstudentsaffectedbythatdeci-sion(seePolicyManual,II.C.3;seealsoNotebelow).Theteach-outplanbytheinstitutionmayalsoincludeateach-outagreementwithanotherinstitution.Theteach-outplanmustprovideatleastthreeessentialele¬ments:(1)equitabletreatmentforallaffectedstudents,(2)reasonableopportu-nityforthosestu¬dentstofinish,and(3)notificationtothosestudentsofanyadditionalchargesthatmayresultfromtheteach-outarrangements.Theteach-outplanmustbesubmittedtoandapprovedbytheBoardofCommissioners(“Board”)priortoitsimplementation.Ifthecampusorlocationbeingclosedisalsoaccreditedbyanotheragency,theBoardwillnotifythatagencyofitsapprovalofthememberschool’steach-outplan.Teach-outplansmustaddressthefollowingitems:
1 CounselandCommunication:Theplanmustdescribehowstudentsareinformedoftheplannedclosure,theiroptionsforcompletingtheclosedprogram(s),andthelengthoftimesuchoptionsmighttake.Theplanmustincludeevidence(i.e.,examples)ofhowtheclosuredecisioniscom-municatedtoallaffectedparties,especiallystudents,butalsofaculty,staff,andotherkeyconstituents.
2 CompletionOptions:Theplanmustfurtherdelineatethevariousoptionsavailableforstudentstocompletetheirprogramwithaminimumofdisruptionandhowthoseoptionswillbeimple-mented,includingsuchoptionsascontinuingtoofferallthenecessarycoursesatthelocationtobecloseduntilstudentsfinish(provideprojectedcourseschedules),offeringcoursesatanapprovednearbylocation,offeringonlinecoursesifappropriateandifapprovedtodoso,helpingstudentstransfertoequitableprograms,and/orestablishingateach-outagreementwithaninstitutionwithcomparableofferingsaccreditedbyanagencyrecognizedbytheUSSecretaryofEducationforUSschools,oranotherappropriateauthorityforCanadianschools.
3 StudentPlans:Theplanshouldappendalistofallaffectedstudentswithabriefnoteastohowtheeducationalneedsofeachstudentwillbemet,(i.e.,whichoption[s]describedabovewillbeusedbywhichstudents[e.g.,Joneswillgraduatebeforeclosure,Smithwillfinishallrequiredcoursesatthatlocationbeforeclosure,Ortizhaschosentotransfer,etc.]).Ifthelistofstudentsisexcessivelylong,itcanbesummarizedbycategory(e.g.,20studentswillgraduatebeforeclosure,30studentswillfinishcoursesbeforeclosure,andtheremaining50willparticipateinateach-outagreement).
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 40 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
4 NotificationofCharges:Theplanmustdocumentanyadditionalchargesthatstudentsmayincurasaresultoftheclosure;includinghowandwhenstudentsarenotifiedofthosecharges.
5. AnticipatedTimeLine:Theplanmustspecifythedatesforhowtheclosurewillunfold,includingthesedates:thelaststudentsadmitted,thefirststudentswillfinish,thelaststudentswillfinish,andtheeffectivedateofclosure.Ifapplicable,thetimelineshouldalsoincludewhentheinstitu-tionorlocationwilllosedegreegrantingauthorityand/oraccesstoTitleIVfunds.
6 ListofOtherAgencies:Iftheprogramorlocationbeingclosedisalsoaccreditedbyoneormoreotheragencies,theplanmustlistallofthem,alongwithcontactinformation,sincetheBoardmustnotifythemofanyteach-outplanitapproves.Theplanmustprovidecontactinformationforanystateagencytowhichtheinstitutionisaccountable.
TheBoardwillalsoconsideranyadditionalinformationprovidedbytheschoolinitspetition.Ifthesiteclosuremeanstheschoolceasestooperatecompletelyandpermanently,theplanmustindicatewhereallexistingstudentrecordswillbestored,beingsensitivetoanystate-requiredregulations.
NOTE:Inadditiontoaschool’sdecisiontocloseacampusorlocationthatoffersacompletedegreeprogram,ateach-outplanisalsorequiredunderthreeotherconditions:(1)whenevertheBoardactstowithdraw,terminate,orsuspendamemberschool’saccreditation;(2)ifastatelicensingorautho-rizingagencynotifiestheBoardofCommissionersthataschool’slicenseorlegalauthorizationtoprovideaneducationalprogramhasbeenorwillberevoked;or(3)iftheUSSecretaryofEducationnotifiestheBoardthattheSecretaryhasinitiatedanemergencyactionagainstaninstitution,inaccor-dancewithsection487(c)(1)(G)oftheHEA,oranactiontolimit,suspend,orterminateaninstitutionparticipatinginanyTitleIV,HEAprogram,inaccordancewithsection487(c)(1)(F)oftheHEA,andthatateach-outplanisrequired(seeATSCommissionPoliciesandProcedures,III.E).
Ateach-outplanmayalsoincludeateach-outagreementwithanotheraccreditedinstitution.Ateach-outagreementcanbepartofanyteach-outplaniftheschoolsochooses,butitisrequiredunderanyofthesefourcircumstances:(1)ifthememberschoolcannotprovidethroughitsownresourcesareasonableopportunityforaffectedstudentstofinishpriortoclosure,(2)ifthelossofTitleIVfunds(forparticipatinginstitutions)willnotallowsomestudentstocompletetheirprogrameveniftheinstitutionitselfremainsopen,(3)iftheBoard,uponreviewoftheteach-outplan,decidesateach-outagreementisalsoneeded,or(4)ifanyofthethreeconditionsdescribedinthepreviousparagraphwillresultintheschoolorlocationclosingbeforeallaffectedstudentshavecompletedtheirprogram.
Ateach-outplanisnotrequiredifaschoolisclosinganextensionsitethatofferslessthanacompletedegreeprogram,andnootherconditionlistedbelowobtains.However,theschoolmuststillnotifyATSCommissionstaffabouttheexactclosingdateandprovideabriefsummaryofhowitwillmeettheeducationalneedsofaffectedstudents.Ifaschoolisrelocatingacampusoranextensionsitethatoffersacompletedegreeprogram,itmustsubmitaPetitionforRelocatinganApprovedExtension
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 41 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Site(orCampus),whichincludesateach-outplansincetheformercampusorlocationisstillclosing.Ateach-outplanisnotrequiredifaschoolissimplyterminatinganexistingdegreeprogramonitsmaincampusoronabranchcampus,providedallstudentsintheprogrambeingterminatedwillbeallowedtofinishatthatcampus.SchoolsterminatingadegreeprogramoncampusmuststillnotifyATSCommissionstaffofthatdecision,sincetheCommissionmaintainsarecordofallapproveddegreeprogramsforeachapprovedlocation.Thenotificationmustindicatethenameofthedegreeprogrambeingterminated,thedatethelaststudentenrolled,thenumberofstudentsstillenrolled,anindica-tionofhowthosestudentswillfinish,andtheprojecteddateatwhichthelaststudentwillfinish.TheschoolmustlaternotifyATSCommissionstaffwhenthelaststudenthasfinished.Untilthen,theCommissionwillcontinuetolistthatprogramasapproved,butwiththedesignationof“discontinued,”untilnotifiedofthelaststudenttofinishandundertheconditionthatnonewstudentsmaybeadmit-ted.Aschoolmaysuspendaprogramforuptoayearwithoutnotification,butanythinglongerthanoneyearwillbeconsideredaterminationwithnotificationrequired.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 42 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 6
PolicyonApprovingNewExtensionSitesTheBoardofCommissionershasadoptedthefollowingpolicyonapprovingnewextensionsites,includingwhichapproveddegreeprogramscanbeofferedatthosesites.
1 Petitionsfornewextensionsites offering less than half a degreecanbeapprovedbyATSCommissionstaff,ifthepetitiondocumentsthatallapplicablestandardsaremet.Nositevisitisrequired.Approvalofsuchsitespermitstheschooltoofferlessthanhalfofanyapproveddegreewithinthesamecategoryofdegreesasintheoriginalpetition—withoutanyfurtherapprovalofthesite.Forexample,ifstaffapprovesaschool’spetitiontoofferlessthanhalfofadegreewithinthecategoryof“basicprogramsorientedtowardministerialleadership,”itmayofferlessthanhalfofanydegreeprograminthatcategorywithoutanyfurtherpetitionsorapprovals.CategoriesofdegreesaredescribedinEducational Standard,sectionsES.1.2–5.
2 Petitionsfornewextensionsites offering half or more of a degree, including a complete degree,canbeapprovedonlybytheATSBoardofCommissioners.Asitevisitisrequiredwithinsixmonthsofthefirstcourse(s)offered,unlesstheschoolincludesinitspetitionarequestforanexemptiontothesitevisit,basedonmeetingthefourexemptioncriteriadescribedinsectionIII.A.1(e)ofthePolicy Manual.Iftheschoolispetitioningtoofferacompletedegree,thentheapprovalislimitedtothatparticulardegree.Iftheschoolispetitioningtoofferlessthanacompletedegree,thentheapprovalwillincludeanydegreewithinthatcategory(asdescribedinthepreviousparagraph).
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 43 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 7
PolicyonBoardReaderPanelsandReportstoStaffTheBoardofCommissionershasadoptedthefollowingpolicyonhowitdoesitswork.
1. TheBoardofCommissionersmeetstwiceperyearinpersoninplenarysessionsandothertimesperyearviaconferencecallincommitteescalled“readerpanels.”Readerpanelsmayactoncertainkindsofreportsandcertainkindsofpetitions,thoughactionsonpetitionsthatconstitutesub-stantivechangesmustberatifiedbythefullBoard.Thereportsonwhichreaderpanelsmayactincludeanywhosefinalactiondoesnotimpactmembershipstatus(e.g.,readerpanelscannotremoveorimposeanotation,placeaschoolonprobation,withdrawordenyaccreditation,orissueashowcauseorder).Thepetitionsonwhichreaderpanelsmayactinclude(1)newexten-sionsites,(2)newmaster’sprogramsinadegreecategoryalreadyapprovedforthatschool(e.g.,anotherprofessionalmaster’s),(3)revisionstoanapproveddegreeprogramthatrequireapeti-tion(seeAppendix3,section3.e),and(4)anyteach-outplansoragreementsforaclosedlocation(otherthanclosingamaincampus).
2. TheBoardofCommissionersdelegatestoATSCommissionstaffactiononanynonsubstantivechangepetitions(seeAppendix3,section2,above)andanyreportsthatfallintooneofthesethreecategoriesdeemedroutine:
a Reportsthatdonotaffectmembershipstatus(e.g.,staffcannotimposenotations)
b. Reportsthatdonotdealwithsubstantiveorcontroversialissues(e.g.,seriousfinancialconcerns,difficultgovernanceissues,orcontentiousissuesinthemedia)
c. ReportsthatdonotrequirefurtherBoardaction(e.g.,staffcannotrequirefollow-upreportsorvisits)
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 44 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 8
GuidelinesforCandidacyPetitionsTheprocessforpetitioningforcandidacystatuswiththeATSCommissiononAccreditingisdescribedin Guidelines for Petitioning for Candidate Accredited Member Status.Thecriteriaandpoliciesrelatedto“CandidateforAccreditedStatus”aredescribedintheATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,II.TheguidelinestheATSBoardofCommissionersnormallyfollowingrantingpetitionsforcandidacyarethese:
Grant candidacy on “fast track” (within 2 years of receiving Associate Member status) if a school . . .
• isestablishedformorethanfiveyearsand/oraccreditedbyanotherrecognizedagency;
• demonstratesinstitutionalvitalityandeducationalqualitywithampleresourcesandestab-lishedassessmentefforts;and
• seemstomeetorbeclosetomeetingallCommissionStandardsofAccreditation.
Grant candidacy on “normal track” (within 2–5 years of receiving Associate Member status) if a school . . .
• isestablishedforfiveorfeweryearsand/ornotaccreditedbyanotherrecognizedagency;
• demonstratesinstitutionalandeducationalcapacitywithsufficientresourcesandpromisingassessmentefforts;and
• meetsmostCommissionStandardsofAccreditationandcanmeetallwithintwoyears.
Not grant candidacy, but extend Associate Member status “beyond usual track” (another 5 years) if . . .
• fewofthefactorsabovearepresent,butschoolmakinggoodprogress;and
• iftheschoolformallyappliesforrenewalofAssociateMemberstatus(seeguidelines).
Thenormalperiodofcandidacyistwoyears,fromeitherFebruarythroughFebruaryorJunethroughJune,thetwomonthsinwhichtheBoardtypicallymeets.Thattwo-yearperiodactuallyextendsuntilthenextmeetingoftheBoardthatfollowsthelastmonthlisted(i.e.,throughthefollowingJuneforaFebruarytoFebruarycandidacyandthroughthefollowingFebruaryforaJunetoJunecandi-dacy).Candidateschoolswhocannotmeetthattwo-yeartimelinemaypetitionforanextension,perATSCommissionPolicies and Procedures,II.A.
IfaschooldoesnotpetitionforandachieveCandidateforAccreditedMembershipstatuswithinfiveyearsofbeinggrantedAssociateMembershipstatus,thepoliciesdescribedintheATSProcedures,II.C.4andII.Eapply.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 45 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
Appendix 9
PolicyonUseandReleaseofData fromtheInstitutionalDatabaseTheCommissiononAccreditingoftheAssociationofTheologicalSchools(“Commission”) maintainsacomprehensiveinstitutionaldatabaseontheologicalschoolsinNorthAmerica.Thesedataarepro-videdbythememberschoolsonAnnualReportFormsinthefallofeachyear.Thedatabasecontainsinformationrelatedtoarangeofeducationalandaccreditingissues,anditsupportsthemissionoftheCommission“topromotetheimprovementandenhancementoftheologicalschools.”Inaddition,itprovidesdatacentraltotheadministrativeandprogrammaticworkofTheAssociationofTheologicalSchoolsintheUnitedStatesandCanada(“Association”).Asappropriate,italsoservesasavaluableresourceforresearchersandorganizationsthatshareaninterestintheologicaleducation,churchanddenominationalbodies,representativesofthemedia,andthegeneralpublic.
TheCommissionusesandmakesthesedataavailabletoresponsibleentitiesaccordingtothefollow-ingpolicies:
1. TheCommissionsharesalldataintheinstitutionaldatabasewiththeAssociationforitsuse.
2. TheCommissionmayreleasedataforusebyresearchers,otherthantheAssociation.Inthesecases,thefollowingstipulationswillapply:
2.1 Independentresearchersmayreceiveindividualschooldata,forone-timeuse,onlywhenpermissiontoreleasethedataisprovidedinwritingtotheexecutivedirectorbythechiefadministrativeofficer(s)oftheidentifiedmemberschool(s).
2.2 ResearchorganizationsmaycontractwiththeCommissionfortheuseoftheinstitu-tionaldata,bywrittenagreement,forspecificprojectsthatadvancethemissionoftheCommissionandtheAssociationorthataddressanidentifiedneedforresearchintheologicaleducation.
2.3 Whendataareprovidedaccordingto2.1or2.2above,theresearcherororganizationmaynot(1)sharethedatawithanyotherorganization(s)orindividual(s)and(2)usethedatamorethanonceorforanyotherreasonthanthesolepurposestatedwhenthedatawererequested.ADataRequestFormisprovidedforthispurpose.TheCommissionreservestherighttoreviewreportstoensuretheydonotdivulgeconfi-dentialinformation.
2.4 Individualsalaryinformationisnoteligibleforreleaseintheresearchagreementsidentifiedin2.1and2.2above.
POLICY MANUALoftheBoardofCommissioners 46 of 46BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 06/2016 | POSTED 10/29/16
2.5 CustomqueriesofthedatabasemaybeconductedandareportproducedonlywithpermissiongrantedbydesignatedmembersoftheCommission’sorAssociation’s directorstaff.Feesmayapplydependingontheamountofstafftimerequired.
2.6 WhenanydataobtainedfromtheCommissionaresubsequentlyreportedbyanagencyorindividualaccordingtothesevariouspolicies,theCommissionistobeidentifiedinthefollowingmannerasthesourceofanypublisheddata:“Source:TheCommissiononAccreditingoftheAssociationofTheologicalSchools,Pittsburgh,PA.”TheCommissionreservestherighttoreviewreportscontainingprovideddatapriortotheirpublication.
2.7 Allreasonablestepsmustbetakentoprotecttheconfidentialityofthedatabaseasawholeandlimitaccessonlytoqualifiedstaffmembersofthecontractingorganizationforuseinperformingtheirjob-relatedresponsibilities.
3. Theinformationinthedatabasethatisconsideredpublicinformationispublishedinindividu-allyorinstitutionallyidentifiableformsintheCommission’sAnnualDataTables,theFact Book on Theological Education,andintheMembership List. TheonlyindividualschooldatapublishedbytheCommissionorAssociationincludesAnnualDataTable1.2“SignificantInstitutionalCharacteristicsofEachMemberSchool,”Table2.15“HeadCountandFull-TimeEquivalentEnrollmentsbyDegreeCategoryinAllMemberSchools,”andindividualcontactinformation,selectedstatistics,andtheaccreditationstatusofeachmemberinstitutionintheMembership List
3.1 TheCommissionortheAssociationwillreleasepublicinformationtorepresentativesofthemediaandthegeneralpublicuponrequest.Individualschooldataotherthanpublicinformationwillnotbereleased,althoughtheCommissionorAssociationmaycounselinquirerstocontacttheschool(s)directlyfortheinformation.
3.2 Mailinglistsareprovidedforafeetomemberschools.Nonmembersthatprovideamember-schoolendorsementoftheirrequestforamailinglistarechargedatdoubletheratetomemberinstitutions.Mailinglistsprovidedtomembersandnonmemberscarrythefollowingrequirement:“Inreceivingthismailinglist,youagreetothefol-lowingstipulations:(1)thatyouwillnotsharethelistwithanyotherorganization(s)orindividual(s)and(2)thatthelistwillbeusedonlyonce,andthenforthepurposestatedinyouroriginalrequest.”
3.3 IndividualemailaddressesofmemberschoolpersonnelarenotsharedbytheCommissionor Association.
Recommended