New Travel, Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policies and Procedures Approved

As part of the Commission’s project to revise all current policies to clearly separate policy from procedure, new versions have been approved for Travel Policy and Procedures and Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures. The below policies and procedures will become effective Jan. 1, 2019, and can currently be found in the Policies Under Review section until they become effective, at which point they will be located in the Browse Policies and Procedures.

Travel Policy and Procedures:

The current Travel Expenses administrative procedure has been revised into the two separate statements Travel Policy and Travel Procedures.

The Travel Policy articulates the Commission’s policy on reasonable and necessary travel expenses and its commitment to ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of all individuals traveling on official Commission business (Commission representatives). As an administrative policy, the Travel Policy was approved by the Executive Committee in accordance with the Commission’s accreditation policy Review of Commission Standards, Requirements of Affiliation, and Policies. Once the Travel Policy becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2019, the current Travel Expenses and International Travel by Commission Staff and Volunteers procedures will be withdrawn.

The new Travel Procedures defines the procedures for making travel arrangements, procedures when the security or safety of travelers is in question, and procedures for reimbursement of travel expenses. All individuals traveling on Commission business are required to adhere to the policy and procedures and failing to do so may risk reimbursement.

Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures:

The Teach-Out Policy was approved through ballot by member institutions on Dec. 10, 2018, following approval by the Commission at its Nov. 14-15, 2018 meeting. The policy and its related Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Procedures will become effective Jan. 1, 2019. Teach Out Plans and Agreements will replace the accreditation policy Merging or Closing a Postsecondary Institution or Program Site.

A form for the submission of teach-out plans and agreements will be published by the Commission by Jan. 1, 2019, and should be used by any institution submitting a teach-out plan to the Commission after Jan. 1, 2019, through substantive change or at the Commission’s request.