Organizational Changes
Definitions & Requirements
Academic units exploring organizational changes should first contact the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) to discuss proposal development and review requirements. The SCHEV compliance team works with OUR to advise and coordinate the SCHEV review process for organizational changes.
SCHEV defines an organizational change as “an alteration—establishment, reorganization, or closure/termination—in the organization and/or structure of one or more of an institution’s academic units.” Examples include renaming an academic department, establishing a new department, school, etc., establishing an off-campus site, and moving an academic unit from one college to another.
Organizational changes may also require review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For guidance on SACSCOC requirements, contact Virginia Tech’s SACSCOC accreditation team.
Review Process & Timeline
The process for organizational changes depends on the specific change being proposed, but organizational changes typically involve the steps outlined below. It is realistic to expect at least one year from the start of an organizational change to its final SCHEV decision. For estimates on SACSCOC review timelines, contact Virginia Tech’s SACSCOC accreditation team. Approval must be received prior to announcing an organizational change.
Step |
Notes |
|---|---|
| Proposal development | The SCHEV proposal document for an organizational change should be completed prior to submission to the 15-day review process; proposal development typically lasts 6-12 months, depending on proposal complexity |
| Academic governance review | Process dependent on the nature of the proposal; contact OUR for more information |
| Review by SCHEV | SCHEV accepts organizational change proposals for review in July and March. Dependent on the nature of the proposal; it may need to be submitted to SCHEV at least 4-6 months prior to the desired initiation date. In general:
|
Review by SACSCOC |
Process dependent on the nature of the proposal; contact Virginia Tech’s SACSCOC accreditation team for more information |
Resources
The documents prepared to propose an organizational change depend on the requested change. To receive sample documents, or request assistance in the creation of the SCHEV proposal for an organizational change, contact us.