Standard 10: Public Disclosure

  1. In presenting itself to students and other members of the interested public, the institution provides information that is complete, accurate, and clear.
  2. The institution has a current catalogue in which it describes itself consistent with its mission statement and sets forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution. While the catalogue is expected to include most or all of the authoritative information relative to admission and attendance, the institution may disclose some of that information through other official publications. All institutional publications, including tapes and film, and oral communications are consistent with catalogue content and fairly portray the conditions and opportunities available at the institution. The information provided is sufficient to allow students to make informed decisions about their education.
  3. Appropriate publications contain the institution's mission, objectives, and expected educational outcomes; requirements and procedures and policies related to admissions and the transfer of credit; student fees, charges and refund policies; rules and regulations for student conduct; other items related to attending or withdrawing from the institution; academic programs, courses currently offered, and other available educational opportunities; and academic policies and procedures and the requirements for degrees or other forms of academic recognition.
  4. Relevant publications also include a list of current faculty, indicating departmental or program affiliation, distinguishing between those who have full- and part-time status, showing degrees held and the institutions granting them. The names of administrative officers, with their positions, and the names of members of the governing board are also included.
  5. The institution clearly indicates those programs, courses, services, and personnel not available during a given academic year. It does not list as current any courses not taught for two consecutive years which will not be taught during the third consecutive year.
  6. It publishes and makes readily available a description of the size and characteristics of the student body, the campus setting, those institutional learning and physical resources from which a student can reasonably be expected to benefit, and the range of co-curricular and non-academic opportunities available to students.
  7. The institution has readily available valid documentation for any statements and promises regarding such matters as program excellence, learning outcomes, success in placement, and achievements of graduates or faculty.
  8. The institution assures notice and ready availability on request of all its publications. It is also responsive to reasonable requests for information about itself. The institution provides notice as to the availability upon request of the institution's most recent audited financial statement or a fair summary thereof.
  9. The institution's statements about its current accredited status are accurately and explicitly worded. An institution placed on probation by the New England Association discloses this status in its catalogue and recruitment materials as well as the availability of additional information on its probationary status.
  10. Through a systematic process of periodic review, the institution ensures that its publications are accurate and current.