POLICIES RELATING TO INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION

B-7 Accreditation of Operationally Separate Units

Institutions are classified as operationally separate if they:

1. are under the general control of a parent institution or a central administration in a multi-unit system;

2. have a core of full-time faculty, a separate student body, and a resident administration; and

3. offer programs comprising a totality of educational experience as defined by the appropriate regional accrediting commission.

Responsibility for decisions concerning the accreditation of operationally separate units located within its region rests with each institutional accrediting commission.

Units granted separate accreditation will be so listed in the regional and national directories.

Units classified as operationally separate which currently share the accreditation of a parent institution or system continue in that status until they can be examined. The appropriate commission will schedule evaluations as soon as practicable. New operationally separate units are expected to seek separate affiliation or accreditation.

Newly founded units in multiple-campus systems and institutions not previously accredited, which merge or affiliate with an accredited institution, are not considered accredited if they are operationally separate as defined above. These institutions are expected to seek affiliation or accreditation through the usual procedures.

Programs not classified as operationally separate by the responsible accrediting commission are included in that commission's evaluation of the parent institution, regardless of location. Commissions in other regions where such programs are located may be invited to send representatives.

The above policies for the accreditation of operationally separate units apply to locations within the United States and in foreign countries. Unusual variations should be submitted to the Commission for review.