Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) Information Release June 27, 2002 Recent news articles regarding intentions and positions stated by individuals associated with Life University College of Chiropractic, and by representatives of certain CCE accredited chiropractic programs, have led to numerous inquiries to CCE from current and prospective students and other parties interested in those potential developments. As part of our continuing effort to be responsive to affected parties while, at the same time, avoiding any speculation whatsoever regarding any potential actions or developments in that matter, the CCE Commission on Accreditation (COA) provides the following information. As of this date, CCE has not received a notice of appeal from Life University College of Chiropractic (LUCC) regarding the recent decision of the COA . That appeal option remains open to LUCC. According to CCE policy, the COA could consider a "teach-out" arrangement for current LUCC students only after, and upon the expressed condition that, LUCC were formally to cease operation and close the program. Such a condition would require a decision and public announcement of program closure by the LUCC governing board and subsequent formal action by the board actually to cease operations and close the program. Such action would require and constitute relinquishment of accredited status and termination of any relationship and rights with CCE, including any appeal process. The CCE Standards and policies make no provision whatsoever for accreditation of a program unit through any action such as a "merger" or "partnership". CCE policy addresses the possibility of CCE accreditation of an additional instructional location for an already accredited program if that program successfully completes the CCE process for approval of a substantive change to add a new instructional location to its program. All parties must be aware that any student transferring into a CCE accredited program and any accredited program accepting such transfer students, including students transferring from a closed program whose educational site has become part of another accredited program by means of the COA substantive change process, are subject to specific requirements for transfer students as noted in the CCE Standards. These requirements state the percentage of study to be completed by the transfer student at the program granting the doctor of chiropractic degree. It is neither feasible nor possible for CCE to consider such an inclusive substantive change proposal involving the program at LUCC while the aforementioned appeal option remains open to LUCC, or during the course of any such appeal process. Action to initiate such an appeal process would be considered expressed intent by its governing board that LUCC intends to attempt continued operation as a separately accredited program. As of this date, no CCE-accredited program has submitted any proposal for a substantive change for inclusion in its program accreditation any part of the program or location at LUCC. Beyond this announcement, all other available information on the matter is displayed at the CCE website: http://www.cce-usa.org/ CCE Policy COA-2 Teach-Out Agreements in the Case of Closure or Cessation of Operation In a case where the governing body of a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree program or solitary purpose institution accredited by the CCE Commission on Accreditation decides to cease operations and close the program/institution, CCE will work with appropriate state and federal agencies, to the extent feasible, to ensure that currently enrolled students are given reasonable opportunities to complete their education without additional charge. In such situations, teach-out agreements with other institutions designed to enable currently enrolled students to complete the program must be submitted to CCE for review toward approval. CCE may approve a teach-out agreement only if it is between institutions accredited or pre-accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, is consistent with applicable standards and regulations, and provides for equitable treatment of students by ensuring that: 1. The teach-out institution has the necessary experience, resources, and support services to provide an educational program that is of acceptable quality and reasonably similar in content, structure, and scheduling to that provided by the program/institution undergoing closure; and 2. The teach-out institution demonstrates that it can provide students access to the program and services without requiring them to move or travel substantial distances. CCE Policy: COA-1 SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE Substantive Change in an accredited program or institution The Commission on Accreditation (COA) of The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) accredits programs and solitary-purpose institutions awarding the doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Accreditation is granted or reaffirmed according to curricula, services and conditions existing at the time of that action. For this reason, CCE-accredited programs and institutions are required to inform the COA in writing of substantive (major) changes prior to their implementation. The COA is responsible for examining and addressing such changes as they occur between scheduled status reviews. Programs and institutions undertaking substantive changes must follow these procedures. Failure to do so could place accreditation status in jeopardy, but doing so does not guarantee inclusion of the substantive change with continued accreditation. Accreditation is not a property right and is nontransferable. After COA review and action regarding a substantive change, the change will be considered a part of the whole at the time of the next review for reaffirmation of accreditation. The following are considered substantive: 1. Any change in the established mission. 2. Any change in the legal status, form of control, or ownership. 3. The addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, in either content or method of delivery, from those offered when the COA last evaluated the program/institution. 4. The addition of degree programs other than the Doctor of Chiropractic program in a solitary purpose chiropractic institution. 5. A change in the method of awarding course or program credit (e.g. a change from use of clock hours to use of credit hours, etc). 6. A substantial change in the number of clock or credit hours required or awarded for successful completion of a program. 7. Movement of a campus from one location to another. 8. The establishment of an additional location geographically apart from the campus at which the institution offers at least 50 percent of an educational program. A. The COA must have assurance that the program/institution has the fiscal and administrative capacity to operate the additional location.