Substantive Change
Under UGA Policy 03.07.003, Substantive Change, the University is required to notify SACSCOC of any “significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of the institution” in accordance with the SACSCOC Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. In some cases, SACSCOC requires approval prior to the initiation of those changes.
A wide variety of actions are considered substantive changes under the above policy. Some of the most common substantive changes that UGA must report are:
- terminating programs
- creating new programs that differ significantly from current programs
- offering existing programs at new off-campus sites or online
- entering agreements with other entities to offer courses or programs*
*When UGA enters agreements with other entities or institutions to offer courses or programs, SACSCOC requires specific contractual protections in the agreement and notification prior to implementation. If the agreement leads to dual or joint degrees, it also must follow also the SACSCOC Agreements Involving Joint and Dual Academic Awards Policy.
At UGA, the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness, in concert with
the SACSCOC Liaison, Allan Aycock, Associate Vice President for Institutional Research,
is responsible for reporting substantive changes to SACSCOC. If you think a change
in your area could possibly be a substantive change, please contact Maggie Parker,
Director for Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness, at 706-542-9860 or mcparker@uga.edu.
