Changes to Policies Approved by the Commission in December 2005

New policies approved by the Commission in December 2005:

• "Ethical Obligations of Commissioners and Peer Evaluators"
• "Joint Curricular Ventures Involving the Award of Credit by Member Institutions"

• "Substantive Change for Accredited Institutions of the Commission on Colleges." The revision eliminated the requirement that an institution offering the associate degree as the highest degree undergo reaffirmation of accreditation five years following approval to offer baccalaureate degrees if its next review cycle exceeded five years (page 7).
• "Reaffirmation of Accreditation and Subsequent Reports." The revision (1) adds a section on the review of distance learning and off-campus sites during the reaffirmation process (page 1) and (2) adds a sentence allowing the President of the Commission to defer action on reaffirmation of accreditation for institutions on Probation at the time of its scheduled reaffirmation (page 2).
• "Records Maintenance Policy of the Commission on Colleges." The revision addresses the disposition of an institution’s prospectus or application for substantive change after action has been taken by the Commission (page 2).
• "Conflict of Interest for Commission Staff." The revision eliminated reference to examples of conflict of interest for Commissioners and peer evaluators. Conflict of interest for Commissioners and peer evaluators is described in the new policy "Ethical Obligations of Commissioners and Peer Evaluators."

• "Conflict of Interest for Evaluation Committee Members and Commission Staff"
• "Contractual Relationships with Non-Regionally Accredited Entities"
• "International Education Programs for Non-U.S. Nationals: Good Practices"
• "International Institutions: Affiliate or Technical Assistance Relationships"
• "The Responsibilities and Ethical Obligations of Commissioners"