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  4. Off-campus Location Checklist

Off-campus Location Checklist for Additions and Changes

This checklist is offered as a guide for seeking the necessary approvals to offer an NIU program at a location other than the main campus in DeKalb, Illinois.

Off-campus Location Overview

An off-campus location is a place, geographically apart from any main or branch campus, where instruction takes place and students can do one or more of the following:

  • Complete 50 percent or more of the courses leading to a degree program.
  • Complete 50 percent or more of the courses leading to a Title IV eligible certificate.
  • Complete degree program that they began at another institution even if the degree completion program provides less than 50 percent of the courses leading to a degree program.

There is no base or threshold number of students or distance from the campus necessary for a facility to qualify as an additional location under this definition.

An additional location typically does not have a full range of administrative and student services staffed by the facilities personnel. Such services may be provided from the main campus or another campus.

A facility may provide access to instruction requiring students to be present at a physical location that receives interactive TV, video, or online teaching. It is considered an additional location when 50 percent or more of a distance delivery program is available through one or more of these modalities at that facility.

Off-campus Location Identification

Institutions are mandated to receive prior approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for offering a degree program at an off-campus location that is not within the NIU region (Region 2 Fox Valley).

  • Use the Illinois Higher Education Regions list to determine the location of the region
  • Contact the Office of Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation by emailing aae@niu.edu with the new program details and location for assistance in completing the remaining steps in the approval process as outlined below.

NIU Region 2 (Fox Valley) Location Additions or Changes

These steps are to be followed for location additions or changes within NIU Region 2 (Fox Valley):

  • Review the IBHE Definitions for Approval of New Programs and Reasonable and Moderate Extension (RME) Requests by Public Universities (PDF) to determine if a Reasonable and Moderate Extension (RME) request is needed. If a RME request is needed, the NIU Accreditation Liaison Officer will assist in preparing and submitting.
  • Notify AAE about the upcoming addition or change. AAE will collect this information to provide accurate and timely mandated reporting to external bodies such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), as well as internal units, e.g., Office of Financial Aid, Graduate School, College Offices, and Outreach functions.
  • Notify HLC. NIU has been approved for HLC's Notification Program, allowing the institution to open new additional locations within the United States. The Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) notifies HLC through a location and campus update in the HLC Canopy system.

Location Additions or Changes Not Within NIU Region 2 (Fox Valley)

  • Confirm a partnership agreement between NIU and the non-region 2 off-campus location of interest exists.
  • If no agreement exists:
    • Establish a Strategic Partner Agreement between NIU and the non-region 2 off-campus location of interest. See sample agreements available upon request.
      • Strategic Partner Agreement Approvals (See Signatures)
      • Off-Campus Location Approvers
      • NIU Board of Trustees Approval
      • NIU President Approval
      • NIU Vice President of Outreach, Engagement & Regional Development Approval
  • If a location in the United States:
    • Notify HLC. NIU has been approved for HLC's Notification Program, allowing the institution to open new additional locations within the United States. The Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) notifies HLC through a location and campus update in the HLC Canopy system.
  • If an international location:
  • Review the IBHE Definitions for Approval of New Programs and Reasonable and Moderate Extension (RME) Requests by Public Universities (PDF) to determine if a Reasonable and Moderate Extension (RME) request is needed. If a RME request is needed, the NIU Accreditation Liaison Officer will assist in preparing and submitting.
  • Notify AAE about the upcoming addition or change. AAE will collect this information to provide accurate and timely mandated reporting to external bodies such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), as well as internal units, e.g., Office of Financial Aid, Graduate School, College Offices, and Outreach functions.

Contact Us

Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation
Swen Parson 316
aae@niu.edu

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