The governance should enable the cluster to set policies, secure financial support, select administrative officers, and provide other personnel functions. The cluster shall be able to demonstrate financial support from various sources sufficient for the continuity of its functions and for the security of the faculty and staff it appoints, and should engage in appropriate financial planning. These structures and resources shall be regularly evaluated and appropriately adjusted. Effectiveness 9.7.4.1 Evidence of effective operation may include reciprocal flow of students, faculty, and information among the member institutions of a cluster, coordinated schedules and calendars, cross-registration, and common policies in areas such as tuition and student services. Requirements, especially in academic and graduate programs, are determined in such a way as to invite the sharing of resources.
Duplication is avoided wherever possible.
If a school meets ATS accreditation standards only by virtue of affiliation with a cluster, this fact shall be formally specified in its ATS grant of accreditation.