02:10:00 Obligations for Public Disclosure

Purpose

To establish guidelines for providing SACSCOC required information to students, constituents, and the public.

Policy

Any institution accredited by, or a candidate for accreditation by, SACSCOC is obligated to provide to its students, constituents, and the public information about itself that is complete, accurate, accessible, clear and sufficient.

1. Information required to be provided.

1. The current catalog must describe the institution consistent with the mission statement and must set forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution. If the catalog is in electronic format, the college must ensure that archived editions are available to meet the needs of alumni and former and returning students.
2. All forms of print and electronic communications officially representing the institution are consistent with catalog content and accurately portray the conditions and opportunities available at the institution.

1. Educational programs and services offered are the primary emphasis of all advertisements, publications, promotional literature, and recruitment activities.
2. All statements and representations are clear, current, and factually accurate. Supporting information is kept on file and readily available for review. For programs awaiting SACSCOC’s approval and inclusion in the institution’s accreditation, the institution’s communication must clearly and consistently represent the program(s) as “pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.”
3. Official publications are readily available and, where appropriate, accurately depict:

• Institutional purposes and goals.
• Admission and enrollment requirements and procedures for all types of students (e.g., first-year, transfer students, dual enrollment, transient, etc.) and basic information on programs and courses, with required sequences and frequency of course offerings explicitly stated.
• General education requirements.
• Special programs, including international study, credit by examination or advanced placement.
• Institutional facilities readily available for educational use.
• Rules and regulations for conduct.
• Tuition, fees, and other program costs, including any fees associated with verification of student identity related to distance or correspondence education.
• Opportunities and requirements for financial aid.
• Policies and procedures for refunding fees and charges to students who withdraw.
• Current academic calendars and grading policies.

3. In official publications describing career opportunities, clear and accurate information is provided on any unique requirements for career paths, or for employment and advancement opportunities in the profession or occupation described.
4. The institution must publish the locations and programs available at branch campuses, and other off-campus instructional locations, including those overseas operations at which students can enroll for a degree, along with a description of the programs and services available at each location.
5. The institution must publish statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals. Information on student success may include reliable information in retention, graduation, course completion, licensure examinations, and job placement rates and other measures of student success appropriate to institutional mission.
6. The institution must have readily available valid documentation for any statements and promises regrading such matters as program excellence, learning outcomes, success in placement, and achievements of graduates or faculty.

2. Student recruitment for admissions.

1. Student recruitment is conducted by well-qualified admissions officers and trained volunteers whose credentials, purposes, and position or affiliation with the institution is clearly specified.
2. Independent contractors or agents used for recruiting purposes are governed by the same principles as institutional employees.
3. Institutions are required to follow federal guidelines regarding compensation for student recruitment and admission activities.
4. Institutions must avoid the following recruitment practices in order to comply with the Principles of Accreditation and U.S. Department of Education regulations:

• Assuring employment unless employment arrangements have been made and can be verified.
• Misrepresenting job placement and employment opportunities for graduates.
• Misrepresenting program costs.
• Disparaging comparisons of secondary or postsecondary institutions.
• Misrepresenting abilities required to complete intended program.
• Offering money or inducements other than educational services of the institution in exchange for student enrollment. (Except for awards of privately endowed restricted funds, grants or scholarships are to be offered only on the basis of specific criteria related to merit or financial need.)

3. Representation of status with SACSCOC.

1. The institution is expected (1) to be accurate in reporting to the public its status with SACSCOC and (2) to publish the name of its primary accreditor and its address and phone number in accordance with federal requirements. In order to meet these requirements, the institution must publish the following statement in its catalog or website:
   
   Statement for accredited institutions.
   
   Walters State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees and certificates. Questions about the accreditation of Walters State Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
    
2. In all cases, when accredited status is affirmed in institutional catalogs and other official publications, it is stated accurately and is not misrepresented.

• Accreditation refers to the quality of the institution as a whole, not to any particular program; therefore, avoid statements such as “this program is accredited”, or “this degree is accredited.”
• The phrase “fully accredited” should not be used, since partial accreditation is not possible.

3. Use of the SACSCOC logo and Stamp of Accreditation.

• The SACSCOC “flame” logo is trademarked, and its use is exclusively for SACSCOC, Inc. Any member institution or entity other than SACSCOC, Inc., is strictly prohibited from using this logo without written permission.
• SACSCOC makes a trademarked Stamp of Accreditation available for the exclusive use of member institutions. This Stamp may be used in conjunction with the full statement regarding accreditation provided above. Member institutions which have provided that full statement in the appropriate document(s) may choose to refer to their accreditation status in flyers and other recruiting materials. In that case, the Stamp may appropriately accompany such abbreviated references, as well.

2/20; 10/22