WSCUC builds on the federal mandate for review of substantive change through peer review. Routine changes within the institution’s current scope of accreditation, such as a request to offer an academic program in a discipline closely related to the institution’s existing offerings, or a new program that does not require substantial new courses to implement may be reviewed by staff.

Peer reviewers who serve on the Substantive Change Committee (SCC) review significant changes at our accredited institutions. The Committee is comprised of peer reviewers with collective expertise in assessment, finance, graduate, undergraduate and general education, international programs, distance education, doctoral programs as well as a variety of discipline areas.

Schedule: The Substantive Change Committee meets in panels, on or after the third Thursday of each month, via conference to review the substantive change proposals of WSCUC institutions. The Committee also meets annually to orient new members and discuss trends and policy matters relating to substantive change.

The Substantive Change Review Committee is a peer review committee.
 

Roles and Responsibilities of Substantive Change Committee

• Review proposals for new programs, locations, distance education programs, mergers and acquisitions, and programs offered at new degree level.
• Make visits to sites as required by policy.
• Act to grant interim approval, request resubmission, to proceed to site visit, and to refer matters to the Commission for action.
• Review such other programs as referred to it by the Commission.
• Following review of proposals, refer interim approvals to the Commission, its Executive Committee, or the Structural Change Committee as appropriate.