Alabama Administrative Code › Title 300 - ALABAMA COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION › Chapter 300-2-1 - PROGRAM REVIEW › Attachments › Attachment To Rule 300-2-1-.09 - Guidelines For The Review And Approval Of The Consolidation Or Merger Of Two-Tear Postsecondary Institutions

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
Alabama State Board Of Education Resolution Passed
				  January 25, 1996
CONSOLIDATION OR MERGER OF POSTSECONDARY
				  INSTITUTIONS
WHEREAS, a recommendation that all colleges in The Alabama
				  College System be given the opportunity to become community colleges was passed
				  by The Alabama College System President's Association and accepted by the
				  Chancellor of the Alabama College System; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 1989, the Chancellor instructed all
				  technical colleges then accredited by the Commission on Educational
				  Institutions of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to become
				  accredited by the Commission on College of the Southern Association of Colleges
				  and Schools; and
WHEREAS, the Chancellor is responsible for the development of
				  guidelines and criteria to be met by institutions of the Alabama College System
				  in changing status; and
WHEREAS, the Chancellor, upon the occasion of an
				  institution's having met the guidelines and criteria specified for changing
				  status may recommend approval of such change in status to the Alabama State
				  Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education wishes to
				  reaffirm its commitment to peer accreditation processes and its support,
				  without reservation, of the need for and importance of such reviews; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education expresses its
				  desire that colleges under its supervision communicate with the Commission on
				  Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and
				  the Alabama Commission on Higher Education
in a timely and
				  appropriate manner; and
WHEREAS, it is the expectation of the Chancellor that
				  institutes involved in consolidation or merger shall undertake deliberate
				  planning processes in accordance with the requirements of The Criteria for
				  Accreditation of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
				  Colleges and Schools
and requirement of the Alabama Commission on
				  Higher Education
;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Chancellor may cause
				  two or more institutions within the Alabama College System to consolidate or
				  merge for the purpose of forming a comprehensive community college by
				  presenting for approval,
first to the Alabama Commission on Higher
				  Education for review, comments and/or action, and then
to the
				  Alabama State Board of Education a Statement of Intent to Consolidate or Merge
				  which shall incorporate and conform to the following stipulations and
				  provisions:
1. A description of the
				institutions to be consolidated or merged and the designation of a name for the
				newly created comprehensive community college;
2. A statement of personnel assurances
				addressing the individual identities, missions, and histories of the affected
				institutions; the status, right, privileges, and benefits of employees of both
				the consolidated or merged institutions and the new community college; the
				status, rights, and privileges of students of both the consolidated or merged
				institutions and the new community college; employment practices and related
				and relevant matters of law; and such other information as the Chancellor shall
				deem appropriate;
3. Assurance that
				personnel at the institutions to be consolidated or merged have been involved
				in the preparation of the Statement of Intent to Consolidate or Merge, and that
				close consultation between personnel at the institutions to be consolidated or
				merged and staff members will continue during the consolidation or merger
				process;
4. A description of the
				benefits to be derived from the consolidation or merger in terms of enhancement
				of programs and services available to residents of the new college service
				area;
5. A description of the
				benefits to be derived from the consolidation or merger in terms of efficiency
				of management, leadership, and coordination of instructional and student
				support activities;
6. A plan to
				secure and/or maintain appropriate accreditation for the newly formed community
				college, including the Prospectus for Substantive Change as required by the
				Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and
				Schools;
7. The results of an audit
				of the effectiveness of educational programs at each of the affected
				institutions, and especially a description of the impact of the consolidation
				or merger upon existing and/or potential occupational/technical programs to be
				used to provide entry-level job training skills to residents of the new college
				service area;
8. A description of
				library/learning resources to support the programs at the newly consolidated or
				merged institution;
9. A
				description of the impact of the consolidation or merger upon the ability of
				the new community college to provide training for business and industry within
				the college service area;
10. A
				description of the impact of the consolidation or merger upon the ability of
				the new community college to provide community service and continuing education
				opportunities to the residents of the service area;
11. A student population projection and
				student demographic analysis for the new community college;
12. A disposition of existing facilities,
				equipment, and supplies for the consolidated or merged institution as it
				affects the new community college;
13. A description of the fiscal support
				available for the new community college, including a copy of the most recent
				financial audits of the affected institutions and a financial impact statement
				regarding their consolidation or merger;
14. A plan setting forth the steps to be
				taken and time lines to achieve the administrative and programmatic
				consolidation or merger of the institutions involved into a single
				comprehensive community college, developed with input from and consultation
				between personnel at the institutions to be consolidated or merged;
A. The consolidation or merger of
				institutions shall proceed in two phases, commencing with an administrative
				consolidation or merger, for which a detailed plan shall be developed which
				shall contain a description of the administrative organization for the new
				institution, and a specific time line noting the initiation and completion
				dates of the administrative phase of the consolidation or merger;
B. A detailed plan for the final phase of the
				consolidation or merger, the programmatic phase, shall be developed and shall
				contain a description of the educational program at the new institution,
				including an inventory of programs, as well as other specific information
				related to programmatic realignments, and a specific time line noting the
				initiation and completion dates of the programmatic phase of the consolidation
				or merger;