Of the Board of Commissioners Board of Commissioners - ATS · 2016-10-30 · POLICY MANUAL of the Board of Commissioners 2 of 46 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 062016 POSTED 102916

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

http://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/commission-policies-and-procedures.pdf

http://www.ats.edu


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.

http://docs.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/commission-bylaws.pdf



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.


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.




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.


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.


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,


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.


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


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.


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.)


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




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.


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.



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

http://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/petition-closing-complete-degree-site.docx


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:

http://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/petition-relocating-approved-extension-site.docx







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.


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


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)



http://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/self-study-handbook-chapter-2.pdf





http://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/board-of-commissioners-policy-manual161005.pdf#pagemode=bookmarks





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.





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.




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.


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


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

http://docs.ats.edu/uploads/member-schools/documents/membership-list.pdf


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


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


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.


Forexample,aschool’spublicstatementofeducationaleffectivenessmightincludethefollowinginformationforeachdegreeprogram:graduationrates,placementrates,timetocompletionrates,numbersofcompleters,ratingsfromstudentsatisfactionsurveysand/orexitinterviews,alumni/aeratings,summarydatafromcourseevaluationforms,assessmentdatafromcapstoneprojectsandportfolios,andotherrelevantassessmentdata.Whilevoluntary,informationfromtheATSGraduatingStudentQuestionnaireandAlumni/aeQuestionnairecouldalsobehelpful,aswellasstudentandalumni/aetestimo-nies.Thepublicstatementofeducationaleffectivenessshouldbereviewedandupdatedregularly,preferablyannually.MemberschoolsmustprovidethewebaddressforitspublicstatementeachfallontheATSAnnualReportForm.


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.


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


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.


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).


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.”



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.


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.






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


notification,includinghowtheeducationalneedsofcurrentstudentsinthatprogramwillbemet,andsubsequentnoticewhenthelaststudentgraduatesfromtheprogram.Ifaprogramissuspendedformorethanayearatanylocation,theschoolmustnotifyATSCommissionstaffofthatfact,whichwillbetreatedasaclosure.

h. Approvalofanypetitionforchangeiseffectivewiththedatespecifiedintheofficialaction.Suchapprovalexpectsthechangewillbeimplementedwithinayearofthatapprovaldate.Ifthechangecannotbeimplementedwithinthattimeframe,theschoolmustsubmitasatis-factoryexplanationforthedelayandamodifiedtimelineforimplementation.Absentimple-mentationofthechangeorgrantingarequestforadditionaltime,theapprovalwillexpireoneyearaftertheinitialgrantdate.Insuchcases,theschoolwouldneedtosubmitanewpetitionseekingpermissiontoimplementthechangeafterthatone-yearperiod.Inaddition,anycontingencyattachedtoanapprovedpetitionmustbesatisfiedbeforethechangecanbeimplemented,typicallywithinayear,unlesstheschoolprovidesasatisfactoryexplanationforthedelayandadditionaltimeisgranted.


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.


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).


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


Site(orCampus),whichincludesateach-outplansincetheformercampusorlocationisstillclosing.Ateach-outplanisnotrequiredifaschoolissimplyterminatinganexistingdegreeprogramonitsmaincampusoronabranchcampus,providedallstudentsintheprogrambeingterminatedwillbeallowedtofinishatthatcampus.SchoolsterminatingadegreeprogramoncampusmuststillnotifyATSCommissionstaffofthatdecision,sincetheCommissionmaintainsarecordofallapproveddegreeprogramsforeachapprovedlocation.Thenotificationmustindicatethenameofthedegreeprogrambeingterminated,thedatethelaststudentenrolled,thenumberofstudentsstillenrolled,anindica-tionofhowthosestudentswillfinish,andtheprojecteddateatwhichthelaststudentwillfinish.TheschoolmustlaternotifyATSCommissionstaffwhenthelaststudenthasfinished.Untilthen,theCommissionwillcontinuetolistthatprogramasapproved,butwiththedesignationof“discontinued,”untilnotifiedofthelaststudenttofinishandundertheconditionthatnonewstudentsmaybeadmit-ted.Aschoolmaysuspendaprogramforuptoayearwithoutnotification,butanythinglongerthanoneyearwillbeconsideredaterminationwithnotificationrequired.


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).


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)


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.

http://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/guidelines-for-petitioning-for-candidacy.pdf


http://www.ats.edu/member-schools/guidelines-renewing-associate-membership


http://www.ats.edu/uploads/about-ats/documents/association-procedures.pdf


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.


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.

Documents

Of the Board of Commissioners Board of Commissioners - ATS · 2016-10-30 · POLICY MANUAL of the Board of Commissioners 2 of 46 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED 062016 POSTED 102916