William & Mary
Close menu Resources for... William & Mary
Popular Topics
Suggested Results
News Events
Apply Visit Request Info
W&M menu close William & Mary
Institutional Accreditation & Effectiveness

Institutional Change (IC)

What is Institutional Change?

Institutional change refers to any change in academic programming, organizational structure or off-campus instruction locations, institutional mission, and more. At William & Mary, the Office of Institutional Accreditation & Effectiveness monitors institutional changes to ensure appropriate internal and external approvals are obtained. The Institutional Change Team members submit institutional changes on behalf of their academic units, and participate in the internal review process to ensure that changes are coordinated internally. 

The Institutional Change Policy documents the university's commitment to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Steps in the IC Process

Only IC Team members can submit zIC-Announce and zIC forms described below.

IC Process
A. Envisioning and Planning a Change

Here are the steps you should complete if your unit is envisioning or planning a change. If you have any questions, contact the Assistant Provost for Institutional Accreditation & Effectiveness.

  1. Review the Types of Changes webpage to determine the "type" describing your change, and the appropriate timeline and form/s to submit.
  2. Decide when you would like to implement the change and identify the appropriate Cycle you should follow, using the appropriate document on the Timelines for Implementation page.
  3. Identify the appropriate form/s to submit.
  4. Be prepared to respond to any questions from other members of the Institutional Change Review Team.

Whom to contact

B. Submitting a Change

Once you have moved beyond the envisioning and initial planning phase, follow the steps below, paying close attention to the details shown in your approved Timeline Cycle as part of your zlC- Announce form, if applicable.  And, as always, contact the Assistant Provost for IAE with any questions.

  1. Follow the approved Timeline Cycle in developing your proposal.
  2. Obtain internal approvals as required by relevant departmental, A&S/school, and university policies and guidelines.
  3. Complete submission documents and follow all steps detailed on your approved Timeline Cycle. Timelines represent firm deadlines.
    • The zlC forms and instructions are available  here.
    • Templates for SCHEV and SACSCOC submission documents are available in the Quick Links section of this page.
C. External Action: Submitting Proposals/Notifications

You will work with IAE and the Provost’s Office to secure required approvals from SCHEV and/or SACSCOC.  

For submissions and other communication required by the U.S. Department of Education and discipline-specific accrediting agencies, "[f]or proposals originating with a school, the originating school is responsible for submissions and other communications about institutional change with the VDOE and discipline-specific accrediting agencies.  The originating school provides copies of such submissions and related communications to IAE and the Office of the Provost." (Section C - Institutional Change Policy)

Please visit the IC Resource Center for additional information designed to facilitate the IC Process.