Off-Campus Instructional Sites

Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to create standards and procedures for ETSU to establish off-campus instructional facilities.

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• Responsible Office

  Office of the Provost

• Policy Statement

  ETSU must adhere to SACSCOC requirements for initiating, relocating, or closing off-campus instructional sites geographically apart from the main campus, expanding program offerings at previously approved off-campus sites, or acquiring a site from another institution.  ETSU must adhere to the timelines and requirements of the SACSCOC Substantive Change for SACSCOC Accredited Institutions Policy Statement.

  1. Quality and Efficiency Standards
     1. All off-campus instructional sites must meet standards established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
     2. The quality of instruction at all off-campus instructional sites must meet or exceed the national standards of good practice and must be comparable in quality and outcomes to the instruction provided on the main campus.
     3. Off-campus instructional sites must be both conducive to learning and efficient in their operation.
  2. Establishment of Off-Campus Instructional Sites
     1. All off-campus instructional sites must receive site approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and secure a site code.
     2. When a full degree is to be offered at a new site, the Office of Financial Aid must be notified.
     3. ETSU must gain approval and/or licensure through the appropriate governmental agencies for instructional sites outside of Tennessee. Out of state sites must have THEC approval and meet all SACSCOC standards and requirements.
     4. ETSU will not duplicate courses or programs at off-campus instructional sites if equivalent courses or programs offered by another public higher education institution are available and accessible at the off-campus site.
     5. Programs at all ETSU off-campus instructional sites must align with community college programs and Tennessee Transfer Pathways whenever possible.
     6. The Board must approve any lease for an off-campus instructional site that requires State of Tennessee approval.
     7. The Board must approve all permanent off-campus instructional sites. The establishment of a permanent off-campus instructional site must be thoroughly planned in advance.  The Board is involved throughout the planning process.
• Authority:

   SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement; SACSCOC Policy Statement: Substantive Change for SACSCOC Accredited Institutions

  TCA 49-8-203

• Definitions

   N/A
• Policy History

  Approved March 24, 2017

• Procedures

  1. Whenever possible, ETSU will seek to offer instruction in schools, community buildings, industrial training centers, and other such sites where suitable space is provided at little or no cost to the institution.
  2. The academic department requesting a new off-campus instructional site consults with the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach to complete the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Off-Campus Site Approval Form.
  3. The Dean submits the completed form to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs with copies to the SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison and the Office of Financial Aid.
  4. The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs submits the form to THEC.
  5. Upon receiving THEC’s decision, the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs notifies the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach, the SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of the Registrar, and the academic department requesting the new off-campus instructional site.  The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs provides a copy of the approval letter from THEC to the Office of Financial Aid for inclusion in the Participation Agreement.
  6. The Office of the Registrar adds the new site code to the inventory of ETSU approved site codes.
  7. Once a new site code is approved, ETSU’s Accreditation Liaison determines whether prior SACSCOC notification or approval is required per the SACSCOC Policy Statement: Substantive Change for SACSCOC Accredited Institutions.
     1. The Accreditation Liaison, in consultation with the academic department, completes all required documentation.  Detailed requirements and timelines are provided in the SACSCOC policy, but the general timeline for submissions to SACSCOC is at least six months prior to implementation.
     2. The Accreditation Liaison routes materials to SACSCOC and informs appropriate parties of the SACSCOC response once received.
     3. The Accreditation Liaison provides a copy of the SACSCOC response to the Office of Financial Aid for inclusion in the Participation Agreement.  The academic program cannot begin until this process is complete.
  8. Once a new site code is approved, the Office of Financial Aid notifies the Department of Education that at least 50% of an educational program is available at the new location.
  9. If the approved instructional site is located in another state, in addition to the steps outlined above, the academic department requesting the site consults with the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach to apply for approval or licensure to operate from the appropriate government agency. Such approval may take a year or more to complete. The academic program cannot begin until approval or licensure is received.  The Dean of the School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach provides the Office of Financial Aid a copy of the state approval form, if located outside of Tennessee.
• Procedure History

  Effective Date:  March 24, 2017

• Related Form(s)

  Tennessee Higher Education Commission Off-Campus Site Approval Form, available at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/aa/academic-programs/program-approv/aca-pol/Off-Campus_Site_Form.pdf

• Scope and Applicability