PWS Sec 6 Attachment 2_CCAF-PPG 01JUL2021.pdf

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

OF THE AIR FORCE

POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND GUIDELINES

01 Jul 2021

CCAF Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

STAFF DIRECTORY

Community College of the Air Force 100 South Turner Blvd.

Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, AL 36114-3011 Telephone: (334) 649-5157 DSN: 749-5157

Fax: (334) 649-5105 DSN: 749-5105 Public web site: http://www.airuniversity.af.edu

CCAF Website: http://www.airuniversity.af.edu/barnes/ccaf

Office Office Symbol

Commandant CC

Vice Commandant CV

Squadron Superintendent SUPT

Commandant’s Secretary CCA

Administration & Support CSS

Dean DE

Plans & Programs XP

Plans & Programs Superintendent XP-1

Associate Dean, Academic Affairs DEA

Superintendent DEA-1

Curriculum & Training DEAX

Course Management DEAM

Medical & Support Degree Programs DEAS

Operations & Logistics Degree Programs DEAT

Credentialing Programs DEAL

Associate Dean, Student Services & Outreach DES

Superintendent DES-1

Education Services

Campus Relations

DESE

DESC

Enrollment Management & Student Services DESS

Media and Distance Learning DESM

Strategic Communication DESO

AU-ABC & GEM DESM

AF Credentialing Opportunities (On-Line (AF COOL) DESA http://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ http://www.airuniversity.af.edu/barnes/ccaf

SUMMARY OF CHANGES. This is a new instruction and requires thorough review. The intent is to codify into one instruction the previous 7 separate CCAF instructions related to academic affairs. This instruction incorporates guidance for the oversight of the academic programs and educational mission under CCAF. This instruction removes redundant requirements, optimizes access to academic guidance, institutionalizes CCAF-level academic policies, supports academic quality and integrity across the enterprise, and ensures CCAF components and schools remain in compliance to meet mission requirements.

This version of the CCAF Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines (PPG) incorporates verbiage taken from Air University (AU) Instruction—AUI 36-2602, 10 September 2018; the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Principles of Accreditation, 2018; DEA OI 36-1, Evaluation of Military Courses; DEA OI 36-3, Degree Development Consultant Program; DEA OI 36-7, Student Record Processing; DEA OI 36-10, American Council on Education Credit; and the Student Advisor Handbook

A summary of revisions follows:

Terminology: SACSCOC and AU terminology is used where appropriate for consistency and alignment with AUI 36-2602, AU Operations, 10 Sep 18, and SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation, 18 Dec 18. For example, affiliate school is now off-campus instructional site and referred to as “site.”

Added sections: 1-Advisory Bodies; 2-Academic Freedom and Non-attribution; 2-Institutional Planning and Effectiveness; and 2-Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Grievances.

Quick Reference Crosswalk:

PPG Section: AUI 36-2602 Section: SACSCOC Principles of

Accreditation Section:

2 2 6 2 1 4 2 5 6 2 9 7

Student Transcript, Administration, and Records System-Faculty Database (STARS-FD) will require some programming changes to reflect the new terminology. Meanwhile, substitute the new terminology for the old where indicated.

FOREWORD

The purpose of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines (PPG) is to familiarize key stakeholders including off-campus instructional site faculty and staff, CCAF Education Advisors, and CCAF Administration Center staff with the CCAF academic mission, general organization, and policies and procedures applicable to the college.

Additionally, this document is intended to help key stakeholders understand how their duties and responsibilities fit within the larger organization-of-context of CCAF and its accreditation as a part of Air University through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. According to AFI 36-2670, Total Force Development, the PPG is directive in nature, and off-campus instructional site faculty, staff members, CCAF administration center staff, and CCAF Education Advisors must comply with the content. The PPG complies with applicable Air University and higher headquarters directives. Locally developed guidance may supplement this guidance.

MELANIE M. PRESUTO, Lt Col, USAF DR. HANK DASINGER, GS-15, DAF Commandant Dean Community College of the Air Force Community College of the Air Force

Table of Contents

STAFF DIRECTORY

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

FOREWORD

Table of Contents

1.3. Accreditation

1.4. Substantive Change

1.6. Advisory Bodies

2.1. Basic Eligibility Standards/Requirements

2.3. Affiliation Status

2.8. Student Rights, Responsibilities and Grievances

2.9. Faculty

3.5. Feedback

Attachment 1

SAMPLE REQUEST FOR AFFILIATIONS

Attachment 2

SAMPLE INSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS REPORT

Attachment 3

SAMPLE OFF-CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL SITE LIAISON (ASL) APPOINTMENT LETTER

Attachment 4

SAMPLE ANNUAL REPORT

Attachment 5

OFF-CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL SITE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT GUIDELINES

Attachment 6

INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION WORKSHEET (IQW) OR EXCEPTIONAL QUALIFICATION IN LIEU OF

DEGREE (EQILD)

Attachment 7

DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

Attachment 8

IN-PROCESSING AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM STATEMENT

ATTACHMENT 9

INSTRUCTOR PROCESSING FLOWCHART

Attachment 10

EXPANDED ACADEMIC FREEDOM/NON-ATTRIBUTION POLICIES

Attachment 11

FACTULTY QUALIFICATION TIME EXTENTION REQUEST

Attachment 12

MILITARY COURSE EVALUATION BREAKDOWN EXAMPLE

Attachment 13

SEMESTER HOUR ROUNDING AND EXAMPLES OF SEMESTER HOUR VALUE

Attachment 14

STAFF SUMMARY SHEET

Attachment 15

LISTING OF CCAF COURSE IDENTIFIERS

Attachment 16

COGNITIVE – KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING TABLE

Attachment 17

PSYCHOMOTOR PHYSICAL/BEHAVIORAL TABLE

Attachment 18 Course Chart Example Attachment 19

COURSE CHART EXAMPLE 2

Attachment 20

AETC COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM

Attachment 21

COURSE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Attachment 22

COURSE CHART EXAMPLE

Attachment 23

PLAN OF INSTRUCTION EXAMPLE

Attachment 24

SYLLABUS EXAMPLE

Glossary

Note: All attachments can be found in the STARS-FD Toolbox

CHAPTER 1

THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE

1.1. Organization. The CCAF was established in 1972, and is a multi-campus, federally chartered institution. The CCAF awards the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree as part of Air University (AU), which is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Administrative staff, faculty, off-campus instructional sites, education service centers, and civilian colleges and universities worldwide are components of the CCAF system. Although the components are dispersed, the CCAF administrative center is at Maxwell AFB, Gunter-Annex, Alabama.

1.1.1. The Community College of the Air Force was established in response to a growing need for the development of noncommissioned officers to serve in leadership roles managing the increasingly sophisticated and complex technology of the Air Force. The primary objective of the college is to integrate technical education with voluntary college-level general education into programs meeting the needs of the Air Force and satisfying individual desires for career education and progression. Authority to award the associate degree was provided in Public Law 94-361, signed by President Gerald R. Ford on 14 July 1976. The college awarded its first associate degrees in April 1977.

1.1.2. Air University’s institutional accrediting body, the SACSCOC, expects integrity, the first principle of accreditation, to govern the operation of institutions and for institutions to make reasonable and responsible decisions consistent with the spirit of integrity in all matters.

Therefore, evidence of withholding information, providing inaccurate information, failing to provide timely and accurate information, failing to adhere to all PPG requirements, and other similar practices will be seen as the lack of a full commitment to integrity. Failure of an off-campus instructional site to adhere to the integrity principle may result in loss of CCAF affiliation.

1.1.3. Unlike a civilian branch campus subordinate to its parent institution, affiliation with CCAF does not affect a site’s command structure. Management matters (curricula, staff and faculty selection, student assignments, etc.) remain the responsibility of the major command (MAJCOM), direct reporting unit (DRU), field operating agency (FOA) commanders, and each off-campus instructional site commander/commandant. Each off-campus instructional site must support the CCAF mission and vision that grow out of the college’s philosophy: “The Air Force requires well-trained, educated, and professional noncommissioned officers prepared to meet current and future leadership, managerial, and technological challenges of increasingly sophisticated, complex, and expeditionary Air and Space Forces. Enlisted members of the Air Force are entitled to personal and professional growth through collegiate programs beneficial to the Air Force and the nation.”

1.2. The CCAF System. Administrators, faculty, classrooms, laboratories, academic advisors and students are located throughout the world. What is often perceived as nontraditional about the college is its organization and administration that provides instruction at numerous locations because of the geographic dispersion of the students pursuing their Air Force occupation.

1.2.1. Military schools (primarily Air Force) that provide specialty-related formal technical training and Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) may voluntarily affiliate as an off-campus instructional site and become part of the CCAF system.

1.2.1.1. Off-campus instructional sites shall comply with the conditions for affiliation, policies, and procedures established in this CCAF Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

(PPG).

1.2.1.2. Off-campus instructional sites shall have an acceptable Faculty Development Program to ensure faculty are qualified to deliver curriculum for the applicable teaching and learning environment, such as In-Residence, Distance Learning, Blended-Learning, Competency-Based Learning, etc.

1.2.1.3. Off-campus instructional sites shall have established policies and procedures to ensure academic integrity and prevention of compromise of course and examination materials.

1.2.1.4. Instructional programs may be delivered by traditional in residence or distance learning environments.

1.2.2. Civilian collegiate institutions provide the course work to satisfy CCAF’s General Education Requirement (GER) and may provide supplemental course credit to satisfy Technical Elective, Program Elective, and Leadership, Management and Military Studies (LMMS) requirements not completed at CCAF schools.

1.2.2.1. General Education requirements must be satisfied by course work accepted intransfer from accredited, degree-granting institutions of higher education and/or by approved nationally recognized examination programs.

1.2.2.2. Per 10 USC Section 9415, CCAF is not authorized to deliver General Education courses.

1.2.3. Academic advisement and financial assistance is provided to students planning and pursuing their educational goals. The Education and Training Section (E&TS) and Base Education and Training Managers (BETM) located at Air Force installations are composed of professional educational administrators, guidance counselors, academic advisors, education technicians/specialists and proctored testing examiners.

1.2.3.1. The E&TS or BETM shall have appointed personnel to serve as an associate to the CCAF Education Services and Registrar’s offices for the purpose of handling official academic information, other than official transcripts, and forwarding to the CCAF administrative center.

1.2.3.2. CCAF Advisors located within the E&TS or BETM counsel students and serve as the direct link between the student and the CCAF administrative center. CCAF Advisors guide students toward degree completion and work with civilian collegiate institutions to arrange for course offerings needed to satisfy CCAF AAS degree requirements.

1.2.3.3. E&TS and BETM personnel administer the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Non- Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Tests and Excelsior College Examinations.

1.2.3.4. CCAF Advisors coordinate with CCAF Education Services for ANG and AFRC students. The point of contact for ANG and AFRC affairs is CCAF Education Services

(CCAF/DESE)

1.2.4. CCAF will have two graduation cycles each year, typically in April and October. It is recommended that installations conduct at least one CCAF graduation ceremony each year to ensure that graduates are properly recognized and diplomas are presented at an appropriate ceremony.

1.3. Accreditation. Accredited collegiate institutions in the United States must have their status reaffirmed on a regular basis. For AU and CCAF, the reaffirmation process includes writing a comprehensive Compliance Certification Report (report of self-study) incorporating data from across AU and CCAF systems and an intensive peer evaluation to ensure compliance with the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation. The college must comply with this requirement, and each CCAF off-campus instructional site must participate fully in this process to ensure AU retains its accreditation. In all cases, each off-campus instructional site MUST immediately notify CCAF Campus Relations of any changes to or events that may affect AU’s accreditation with SACSCOC.

1.3.1. AU and CCAF maintain specialized academic accreditation in accordance with mission requirements and Air Force needs. Programs accredited through specialized accrediting agencies will coordinate with CCAF to ensure compliance with all accreditation requirements.

1.3.2. Programmatic Accreditation. Any site either holding or pursuing programmatic accreditation, must ensure CCAF has the most current:

1.3.2.1. Accrediting agency information

1.3.2.2. List of programmatically accredited courses

1.3.2.3. Site visit and other reports from accrediting agency

1.4. Substantive Change. The Department of Education requires institutional accreditors to establish policies for monitoring and approving substantive changes affecting educational programs.

1.4.1. Institutions are required to seek approval prior to initiating changes that cross established thresholds for substantive changes. A substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and/or scope of an approved program. Examples of such changes include:

1.4.1.1. Any change in the established mission of a site or outcomes of a program.

NOTE: Editing or rewording of mission or outcome statements that do not change the essence of the mission or outcome are not considered a substantive change, but do require a notification memo to AU Academic Affairs and CCAF to update the previously approved statements.

1.4.1.2. The determination of whether a change crosses the threshold to require a program review remains with the program approval authority and AU/CC.

1.4.1.3. Changes to a program resulting in a degree or credential level that is different from the one currently approved.

1.4.1.4. A greater than 20% increase or decrease in the number of credit hours for degree-granting programs or contact hours for non-degree-granting programs required for successful completion of the program.

1.4.2. AU Academic Affairs establishes procedures for identifying, reporting, and monitoring educational programs to ensure compliance with substantive-change requirements. CCAF works in conjunction to notify AU Academic Affairs of any changes.

1.4.3. Off-campus instructional site commanders, commandants, and educational program coordinators must notify CCAF prior to initiating program changes that could generate possible substantive changes notifications to ensure compliance with substantive change reporting requirements. As such, off-campus instructional site commanders and commandants will develop internal policies to assure compliance with substantive change reporting requirements.

1.4.4. CCAF will coordinate with AU Academic Affairs to ensure the AU-Board of Visitors (AU-BOV) is apprised of any substantive changes affecting the institution to afford board members opportunities to advise AU leaders prior to initiating changes.

1.4.5. The CCAF administrative center ensures off-campus instructional sites comply with rigorous academic standards established by AU and SACSCOC to ensure a comprehensive education beyond technical expertise, coursework in leadership, management and military studies, and general education credit from civilian sources.

1.5. Mission, Vision, and Goals.

1.5.1. Mission. Elevate the Enlisted profession by advancing technical and leadership capability across the career through degrees, credentials, and related programs to support recruiting, retention, career transition efforts, and mission capability and readiness.

1.5.2. Vision. To become the community college of choice, providing a path to higher learning for those with a calling to serve.

1.5.3. Goals:

1.5.3.1. Provide world-class customer service for today’s enlisted force.

1.5.3.2. Provide agile academic program support for today and tomorrow.

1.5.3.3. Improve the balance between modern technology and human interaction.

1.5.3.4. Strengthen relationships

1.6. Advisory Bodies. The Secretary of Defense appoints a board of individuals who are eminent authorities in the field of air power, defense, management, leadership, and academia. The board provides the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Air Force, with independent advice and recommendations on educational, doctrinal, and research policies and activities of Air University. The college uses several advisory bodies representing the different components of the CCAF system. These advisory bodies review policies and procedures and make sound academic recommendations to the Air University Board of Visitors (AU BOV).

1.6.1. Affiliate School Advisory Panel (ASAP). The panel represents the categories of technical and specialized training, enlisted professional military education, and command-sponsored sites affiliated with the college. The purpose of this panel is to review policies and procedures developed to govern the CCAF off-campus instructional sites and to make recommendations for consideration by the Policy Council.

1.6.2. Education Services Advisory Panel (ESAP). The ESAP is comprised of the CCAF Dean, education services advisors, Headquarters USAF representative, major command personnel, base-level education services personnel, and Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) components. The purpose of this panel is to provide an interface between the college and the education services system. This panel also provides recommendations considered by the Policy Council.

1.6.3. Policy Council. Academic policies are developed by the CCAF Policy Council and endorsed by the AU-BOV. The Policy Council is composed of representatives from all elements of the CCAF system and is chaired by the CCAF Dean. This Council vets policy changes and makes recommendations to the CCAF Subcommittee and AU-BOV.

1.6.4. Academic Review Committee (ARC). The CCAF ARC is chaired by the CCAF Dean, and is comprised of members from each directorate within CCAF. This committee is the first level of review for policy changes and issues affecting off-campus instructional sites.

1.7. Credit for Learning Experiences Outside a Collegiate Course. CCAF may evaluate learning experiences outside a collegiate course through the ARC. Examples of these learning experiences are workplace credentials, certificate programs, AFSC-specific training such as upgrade occurring outside a formal course, and courses not a part of the CCAF system. This process is not appropriate where a credit recommendation is available from the American Council on Education (ACE).

1.7.1. This type of credit will not be evaluated on an individual student basis. These experiences need to be available to a majority of an AFSC, and part of their initial skills or advanced training for the ARC to convene for credit evaluation.

1.7.2. The agency requesting an assessment for academic credit will provide a point of contact who will act on behalf of the agency. For an AFSC request, the career field manager is typically the AFSC’s authoritative voice. The agency POC participates in the pre-assessment meeting, provides required information to enable a timely and accurate evaluation by CCAF, and is available if additional information is needed.

1.8. Publications.

1.8.1. Air Force:

1.8.1.1. AFI 36-2670, Total Force Development

1.8.1.2. AFI 36-2305, Educational Classification and Coding Procedures

1.8.1.3. HQ AU Catalog

1.8.2. Community College of the Air Force: CCAF publications are available on the CCAF Portal page and public website under “Publications”.

1.8.2.1. CCAF General Catalog

1.8.2.2. CCAF Update. The CCAF Update is a quarterly newsletter. It contains updated information on academic policies, procedures, announcements, catalog, handbooks, etc. CCAF Advisors and ASLs should maintain past issues of the update in a binder for reference.

1.8.2.3. CCAF Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

1.8.3. DANTES: DANTES provides central procurement and distribution of educational reference materials to the education community throughout the Department of Defense. This allows for standardization and provides a significant cost savings. Materials include books, brochures, catalogs, videos, magazines, pamphlets, and pocket guides.

1.8.3.1. Information includes:

1.8.3.1. DANTES Programs.

1.8.3.2. Financial assistance such as GI Bill, financial aid, grants, scholarships, tuition assistance, and student loans.

1.8.3.3. Active duty, Reserve, and Veteran education benefits.

1.8.3.4. College, university, and graduate school costs, degree programs, and requirements.

1.8.3.5. Helpful education websites at https://www.dantes.doded.mil/Resources/

1.8.3.2. DANTES contact Information:

Reference Publications Manager DANTES, Code 10D1 6490 Saufley Field Rd.

Pensacola, FL 32509-5243

(850) 452‐1111 ext. 3131 / DSN: 459‐1111 ext. 3131 E‐mail: refpubs@navy.mil https://www.dantes.doded.mil/Resources/ mailto:refpubs@navy.mil

1.8.4. Useful Web Links:

AF COOL: https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/Public/COOL/

AF Virtual Education Center: https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/

Army course work: https://jst.doded.mil/jst CCAF Credentialing Programs:

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803252/credentialing-programs-flight/

CCAF public site: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/

Coast Guard course work: https://jst.doded.mil/jst NACES: http://www.naces.org/members.htm Navy/Marine course work: https://jst.doded.mil/jst STARS-FD: https://ccafstars.sso.cce.af.mil/STARS/ https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/Public/COOL/ https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/ https://jst.doded.mil/jst https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803252/credentialing-programs-flight/ https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/ https://jst.doded.mil/jst http://www.naces.org/members.htm https://jst.doded.mil/jst https://ccafstars.sso.cce.af.mil/STARS/

CHAPTER 2

OFF CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL SITES

2.1. Basic Eligibility Standards/Requirements. The affiliation process identifies and describes off-campus instructional sites and educational organizations within the CCAF system. Off-campus instructional sites contribute to CCAF degree programs, and affiliation enables those sites to share the benefits and responsibilities of SACSCOC institutional accreditation.

2.1.1. Affiliation with the college is voluntary. Any school desiring to become a member of the CCAF system as an off-campus instructional site must commit to complying with the rigorous standards supporting institutional accreditation. Off-campus instructional site commanders, commandants, and academic program coordinators, must establish and implement policies and standards that meet institutional accreditation and Air Force in conjunction with the CCAF PPG.

NOTE: Throughout the PPG, the terms “instructor” and “faculty” are used interchangeably.

Unless stated otherwise, these terms are Air Force terms and are NOT considered academic rank.

2.2. Requirements. CCAF off-campus instructional sites must meet the following minimum requirements:

2.2.1. Curriculum. CCAF awards academic credit for off-campus instructional site-owned courses. Sites must ensure CCAF receives the most current version of all credit-bearing course control documents. This guarantees proper evaluation and award of academic credit in a timely manner. All CCAF courses that report graduates must have a faculty member or members assigned. The only exceptions are non-faculty led courses (distance learning/correspondence) identified as a CCAF credit-bearing course.

2.2.2. Faculty. Faculty members assigned to teach CCAF credit-bearing courses must meet the requirements established in Chapter 2.8 of this publication.

2.2.3. Off-campus instructional site. Sites requesting affiliation with CCAF must conduct regularly scheduled college-level training or education for DoD enlisted personnel. Courses must be of sufficient length, be applicable to a CCAF degree program and demonstrate rigor.

Each off-campus instructional site Commander/Commandant has overall responsibility for ensuring all affiliation requirements are met and maintained.

2.2.4. Registrar. Sites must have access to an approved graduate reporting system (Oracle Training Administration (OTA), Technical Training Management System (TTMS), MilPDS, etc.) to ensure students receive academic credit. All students must be reported within 5 duty days of graduation. Off-campus instructional sites must keep graduate records for at least 30 years.

2.2.5. Course Verification Letter. Course verification letters allow the CCAF registrar the means to update a CCAF student’s records. A course verification letter must be submitted through email from the off-campus instructional site registrar’s organizational account to the

CCAF registrar. The site must establish an organizational email account and forward to CCAF (e.g. sitename.registrar@yourbase.af.mil). List the site’s organizational email account on the site home page in STARS-FD.

2.2.6. Affiliate School Liaisons (ASL). The site commander/commandant must appoint, at a minimum, one primary, and one alternate ASL. These individuals are responsible for all faculty and course document record management as well as communicating with the CCAF off-campus instructional site manager to ensure all affiliation requirements are met and maintained. Appointment letters will be updated, at a minimum, every 2 years.

2.2.6.1. The site’s ASL must conduct regular status briefings to keep the site commander/commandant informed on faculty and course status.

2.2.6.2. The site’s primary ASL must attend the training at/through CCAF. Alternate ASLs may attend the training at CCAF or be trained by the primary ASL that has already attended the course. Local training must include instruction on the use of STARS-FD and the PPG. This training must be documented using AF Form 797. CCAF Campus Affiliations limits access to STARS-FD to only those who have been properly trained and to those who have a specific need to access the record system. For individuals to be given Unit POC or Macro Unit POC access proof of training must accompany the appointment letter. (i.e. certificate from CCAF/DES or AF Form 797).

2.2.6.3. The ASL may add users to STARS-FD under the User Admin section. These additional users will be given the role of Instructor Supervisor. ASLs will ensure that all Instructor Supervisors are properly trained. ASLs may only grant access/accounts to STARS-FD, for individuals that are within their squadron for the purposes of assisting with faculty records.

2.2.7. Application for Affiliation. Any off-campus instructional site wishing to affiliate must submit the following to CCAF campus affiliations:

2.2.7.1. Request letter signed by the unit’s MAJCOM, DRU or FOA commander (see Attachment 1).

2.2.7.2. Institutional characteristics report (see Attachment 2).

2.2.7.3. All course control documents that will potentially receive CCAF credit.

2.2.7.4. Appointment letter appointing a primary and alternate ASL (see Attachment 3).

2.2.7.5. Once CCAF Campus Relations receives all required documentation, the prospective site will be put before the CCAF Academic Review Council (see paragraph

1.6.4 for ARC composition). This process could take up to a year if a site can provide more than 50% of any degree program at their location. AU and SACSCOC will need to approve sites that meet the 50% threshold.

2.2.8. Maintaining Affiliation.

2.2.8.1. Continuing Requirements. Compliance standards must be continuously maintained. Failure to do so could put the site in jeopardy of losing affiliation, Air University at risk of losing institutional accreditation, and students at risk of losing the ability to gain collegiate credit towards degree completion.

2.2.8.2. Off-campus instructional sites will receive an on-site Compliance Requirements Visit (CRV) from CCAF every three years, beginning from the first year of affiliation.

2.2.8.3. The ASL will submit a completed annual report electronically by 15 December of each year to CCAF Campus Affiliations (see Attachments 4). Annual reports are based on the fiscal year (1 Oct – 30 Sep). Failure to submit an annual report on time may result in a finding or warning notification of non-compliance. Annual reports are addendums to the site’s self-study, and a copy is maintained in STARS-FD. CCAF uses information from the annual reports to compile data for the AU Historian, and Institutional Effectiveness metrics. The CCAF Policy Council, the AU BOV, or the SACSCOC may require this data from the report. Annual reports will:

2.2.8.3.1. Describe any major changes for the site over the past year.

2.2.8.3.2. Describe how the site evaluates effectiveness in achieving its mission.

2.2.8.3.3. Describe how the site uses evaluations, critiques, and other assessment results for institutional improvement (changes made based on evaluations, critiques or assessment tools).

2.2.8.3.4. List professional memberships and/or subscriptions to professional journals that the site maintains.

2.2.8.3.5. List the courses, the accrediting agency, reports, and site visits, and if the site holds specialized accreditation.

2.2.8.3.6. Identify any specialized programmatic accreditation that was added/dropped to the site.

2.2.8.3.7. Describe how faculty development and enhancements have been accomplished over the past year.

2.2.8.3.8. Have the off-campus instructional site commander/commandant endorse the report and if the report reveals areas of non-compliance, the site must provide an action plan, to include progression milestones, detailing corrective actions.

2.2.8.3.9. Certify currency for CCAF courses taught by the site.

2.2.8.3.10. Any site notified of eminent physical relocation, command realignment or re-designation must submit this information on an official MFR to CCAF Campus Relations prior to the change.

2.2.8.4. Students must be provided course admission and release policies.

2.2.8.5. Identify classrooms as a “CCAF classroom” by displaying a poster in each classroom or administer an initial briefing to the students prior to each course. All students need to be made aware of the collegiate level of the CCAF course they are enrolled in and include the number of course credit hours to be earned.

2.2.8.6. Test Control. Ensure there are established test control procedures no matter the method of test delivery.

2.2.8.7. Distance Learning. The site must demonstrate the student who registers in a distance or correspondence education course is the same student who participates in, completes the course, and receives the credit by verifying the identity of a student who participates in class or coursework. It is highly recommended they use, at the option of the institution, methods such as (1) a secure login and pass code, (2) proctored examinations, or (3) new or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification.

2.2.8.8. Student Privacy. The site must have a written procedure for protecting the privacy of students enrolled in distance and correspondence education courses.

2.2.8.9. Physical Resources. The site ensures adequate physical facilities and resources, both on and off site, that appropriately serve the needs of the site’s educational programs, support services, and other mission related activities. In addition, the site takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the site community.

2.3. Affiliation Status.

2.3.1. Good Standing. An off-campus instructional site in full compliance with all conditions of affiliation is considered to be in Good Standing.

2.3.2. Sanctions. A site not in compliance with the conditions of affiliation is subject to sanctions at any time. Each sanction action need not be progressive and depends wholly on the severity of the infractions.

2.3.3. Notification. Site Commanders/Commandants will be directly notified of impending sanction actions. If sanctions are imposed, CCAF will send an official letter signed by the CCAF Dean and Commander stating the imposed action and deficiencies for which the action was imposed. The site’s affiliation status will then be updated in STARS-FD to reflect action taken.

2.3.4. Subsequent Sanctions. If a site does not correct the deficiencies for which sanctions were imposed within the maximum period, CCAF may seek to impose a more severe sanction.

The following paragraphs outline the types of sanctions available to impose.

2.3.5. Show Cause. Show cause is imposed when a site is deemed out of compliance and discrepancies appear to be resolvable within a reasonable time. Show cause is imposed for up to 6 months and can be imposed with the CCAF Dean and Commandant’s approval.

2.3.6. Warning. Warning is a public sanction usually imposed for one year when a site has failed to maintain standards. If the site has not remedied infractions or other deficiencies during the Warning period, the site must demonstrate why it should not be placed on probation.

If the site presents a plan to come into compliance, the warning period may be extended. The CCAF Commander determines extension of the Warning period, but no more than one additional year may be granted. If the site corrects the deficiencies within the year, it may be placed in Good Standing. The following examples could place a site on Warning status:

2.3.6.1. Failure to maintain 100 percent qualified faculty.

2.3.6.2. Failure to report graduates within five duty days of graduation.

2.3.6.3. Failure to submit an acceptable annual report by 15 December.

2.3.6.4. Failure to provide requested information in an acceptable and timely manner.

2.3.6.5. Failure to maintain accurate information in STARS-FD.

2.3.6.6. Failure to review courses at least annually.

2.3.6.7. Failure to submit course control documents at least 30 days before the class start date.

2.3.6.8. Failure to list all faculty teaching CCAF courses.

2.3.7. Probation. Probation is a public sanction usually imposed for one year when conditions generating a Warning status have not been corrected. If the site corrects the deficiencies, it may be placed in Good Standing. However, if the site has not remedied the infractions or other deficiencies at the end of Probation, the site must show why it should not be considered for disaffiliation from CCAF.

2.3.8. Sanction Visit. If necessary, CCAF Campus Affiliations will conduct a site visit to ascertain the scope of the issues and assist the site in meeting affiliation conditions. If the deficiencies are not readily correctable and it is determined by the CCAF Commandant and Dean’s review that sanctions should be imposed, the CCAF Commandant will notify the site’s chain of command in writing of any action taken. Site Commanders must notify CCAF within 30 days with a corrective action plan. This plan will include estimated dates of completion and progress milestones.

2.3.9. Removal from sanctions. While sanctions are imposed on a site, CCAF Campus Relations will continually monitor the site’s progress. The site must correct its discrepancies and demonstrate measures to prevent future discrepancies of the same nature. Once CCAF deems the site has shown sufficiency in both areas, the imposing authority may lift the sanction.

2.3.10. Discontinuing Affiliation. An off-campus instructional site may disaffiliate with CCAF by either of two methods. Disaffiliation may constitute site closure and result in a notification to SACSCOC and AU-BOV.

2.3.10.1. Voluntary Disaffiliation. A site wishing to withdraw from the CCAF system must send a written disaffiliation request (signed by the original requesting authority’s office or equivalent) to CCAF Campus Relations, which will be forwarded to the CCAF Commandant. Once the request is received, the CCAF Commandant will contact the site’s Commander to ensure understanding of disaffiliation consequences for the site and students.

2.3.10.2. Involuntary Disaffiliation. Involuntary Disaffiliation has serious consequences since graduates of a disaffiliated site no longer earn CCAF credit. If involuntary disaffiliation is considered, CCAF Campus Affiliations will visit the site to ascertain the scope of the issues and to assist the site, if possible, in meeting the affiliation requirements.

CCAF Campus Relations will report the site’s status to the CCAF Accreditation Committee and the Policy Council. If the Policy Council recommends disaffiliation to the AU BOV, the site’s commander may appeal the decision in writing to the AU BOV through the CCAF Commandant.

NOTE: Involuntary Disaffiliation is a permanent action and may not be lifted. Once imposed, the site must resubmit for affiliation.

2.4. On Site Visits.

2.4.1. Affiliation Visit. This mandatory, site-funded visit allows CCAF to make a first-hand assessment of a candidate site prior to a vote for full affiliation. CCAF personnel will tour facilities, observe site operations, as well as visit with faculty, staff, and the site’s key leadership. This also gives the site an opportunity to discuss any areas of concern prior to affiliation. The visit should be scheduled at a time when key site personnel are available to discuss relevant issues. The ASL is responsible for developing the visit itinerary and making appointments with site and base officials.

2.4.2. Compliance Requirements Visit (CRV). The CRV determines the site’s compliance with the conditions of affiliation. This visit is funded by CCAF and is conducted within 3 years of a site attaining affiliation status. CCAF will conduct CRVs once every 3 years;

however, an out-of-cycle visit may be conducted if a site shows continual issues of non-compliance or is requested from the site’s commander/commandant. The length and scope of the visit depends on the size of the affiliated site. The CRV process is as follows:

NOTE: It is incumbent upon the site to notify its local IG of the upcoming CCAF visit.

2.4.2.1. The CRV is scheduled with input from the off-campus instructional site, and a memorandum sent to the MAJCOM Inspector General (IG) Gatekeeper and site’s chain of command at least 60 days before the visit.

2.4.2.2. The site ASL will complete the Off-Campus Instructional Site Compliance Requirement Guidelines (see Attachment 5), located in the STARS-FD toolbox, and submit it to CCAF Campus Relations no later than 30 days prior to the CRV date.

2.4.2.3. The CCAF site manager will perform a STARS-FD faculty document review within 30 days of the on-site visit. All discrepancies found during this review will be documented on the CRV report.

2.4.2.4. During the on-site portion of the CRV, CCAF personnel will verify site compliance using the CCAF Site Compliance Checklist submitted by the site. Upon conclusion of the visit, CCAF will out-brief the site’s key leadership and report the results of the compliance visit. The finalized visit report is sent directly to the site’s commander/commandant within 30 days. CRV results are categorized as follows:

2.4.2.4.1. Compliant. A site is categorized as compliant when it receives no findings during a CRV. A site may have discrepancies and still be considered compliant. If a site is found to be compliant, CCAF will complete the CRV report and forward to the site commander/commandant within 30 days of the visit. No further action is required.

2.4.2.4.2. Non-Compliant. A site that receives any finding during a CRV is considered non-compliant.

2.4.2.4.1. A finding indicates a deficiency in meeting the criteria and requires a written response describing actions taken to correct the situation. A finding is a serious shortcoming requiring an answer in an effective, realistic manner.

2.4.2.4.2. CCAF will complete the CRV report and forward to the site commander/commandant within 30 days of the visit.

2.4.2.4.3. The site commander/commandant will have 60 days from official receipt of the CRV report to respond to any findings. This response will detail corrective actions and measures to prevent repeat findings. If the site commander/commandant deems it appropriate, the site will be responsible for funding CCAF personnel to return to the site within 60 days of CCAF’s receipt of the site’s response to assist in re-establishing compliance. If the site commander/commandant deems a follow-up visit unnecessary, and CCAF determines the site’s written response sufficient, the issue of non-compliance will be considered resolved, and a letter of compliance will be sent to the site.

2.4.2.4.4. An observation does not imply a shortcoming; it is the evaluator’s assessment that some aspect of the site could be improved by adopting a specific proposal or procedure. Additionally, an observation could be a comment on some positive aspect or initiative the site has implemented. A negative observation does not require a written response.

2.4.3. Staff Assistance Visit (SAV) and On-Site Training. Sites have the option at any time of funding CCAF personnel to conduct a SAV to identify possible site deficiencies and/or conduct on-site training for instructional site liaisons. During these visits, discrepancies are not documented by CCAF for compliance determination; however, any items found which pose an immediate accreditation threat must be corrected immediately and communicated to CCAF leadership for further review.

2.4.4. Substantive Change Visit. Institutions must ensure the quality of their programs by basing decisions to change the curricula or other aspects of the program on data provided through institutional effectiveness and assessment processes. The Department of Education’s policy is governed by 34 CFR § 602. SACSCOC implements this policy through their published substantive change policy and their Principles of Accreditation. The CJCS establishes substantive change policies in CJCSI 1800.01, Officer Professional Military Education Policy and CJCSI 1805.01B, Enlisted Professional Military Education Policy for joint officer and enlisted education programs respectively. Institutions are required to seek approval prior to initiating changes that cross established threshold for substantive changes.

Significant changes to a site’s organizational structure or course offerings may constitute a substantive change and require a written report and visit. Changes must be submitted to CCAF before any change occurs. CCAF Campus Relations must be notified as soon as possible, but always before the change. The CCAF Dean will coordinate with AU Academic Affairs to decide whether a visit is warranted due to a substantive change. If a visit is required, the site must fund it.

2.4.5. Other Visits. SACSCOC may select affiliated sites for an on-site evaluation. This visit plays a significant role in reaffirmation of accreditation of CCAF as part of AU. Because of the magnitude of the system, SACSCOC will not visit each affiliated site. Therefore, SACSCOC may evaluate selected sites that are representative of the CCAF system. CCAF assists the site in preparing for the visit and provides an escort for the SACSCOC evaluation team. CCAF or Air University funds SACSCOC visits to off-campus instructional sites.

2.5. Academic Freedom/Roles and Responsibilities.

2.5.1. As an academic institution, AU/CCAF recognizes and encourages the free and open discussion and/or debate of appropriate topics within the classroom and under the umbrella of non-attribution. However, faculty, staff, and students are limited in the manner in which they may publicly criticize senior officials. Consequently, such criticism and debate must be delivered respectfully in accordance with UCMJ, U.S.C., and AFIs.

2.5.2. Academic freedom is a key tenet in education and is essential to advancing scholarship.

Off- campus instructional site faculty, students, and staff must be free to pursue knowledge, speak, write, and explore complex, and often controversial concepts and subjects.

2.5.3. Academic freedom must be tempered by good judgment so that individuals refrain from making unreasonably offensive or irresponsible statements either verbally or in writing.

Examples of statements not protected by the AU/CCAF policy on academic freedom include the denigration of any person’s age, race, color, ethnic group, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender. This is not meant to restrict discussions of controversial subjects;

however, good judgment and discretion must be a guiding standard.

2.5.4. Faculty and staff may exercise academic freedom and candor in accordance with provisions of DoD Directive 5230.09, Clearance of DOD Information for Public Release, and DoD Directive 5500.7, Standards of Conduct, in written and oral products.

2.5.5. Authors shall ensure appropriate disclaimers accompany all works produced for publication in which the author is identified/associated with AU or any of its components. An appropriate disclaimer is as follows: “The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States government, Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, or Air University.”

2.5.6. Non-attribution is the principle that protects open expression and discourse within the academic environment. Non-attribution establishes trust relationships by assuring that thoughts and opinions are treated as privileged information not to be shared in other forums nor attributed to a specific individual without prior permission.

2.5.7. Academic integrity is the belief in honesty and an intolerance of acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception. It is one of the key ways that the Air Force core value of integrity first is applied within the academic environment.

2.5.8. Academic freedom, non-attribution, integrity, and individual responsibility include the following principal elements:

2.5.8.1. Freedom to teach, conduct research, and publish research findings without fear of reprisal.

2.5.8.2. Freedom to discuss within a classroom (physical or virtual) any material or ideas relevant to the course, to include controversial, unusual or unpopular topics, within the confines of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and applicable DoD and AF Instructions.

2.5.8.3. Freedom to seek changes in academic and institutional policies without fear of reprisal.

2.5.8.4. Responsibility to pursue excellence, intellectual honesty, and objectivity in teaching.

2.5.8.5. Responsibility to encourage faculty, students, and colleagues to engage in critical thinking, free discussion, publication, and inquiry on relevant subjects.

2.5.9. Roles and Responsibilities. Off-campus instructional site commanders, commandants, and educational program coordinators will:

2.5.9.1. Ensure academic freedom, non-attribution, and academic integrity policies are published and available to all site personnel.

2.5.9.2. Provide support, advice, and consultation to faculty, staff, and academic program coordinators as required for potential violations of academic freedom, non-attribution, and academic integrity policies to ensure consistent and comprehensive application of policies.

2.5.9.3. Periodically brief their faculty, staff, and students on applying policies on academic freedom, non-attribution, and academic integrity within the context of each program’s academic mission.

2.5.9.4. Establish appropriate appeal mechanism policies for faculty, staff, and students to bring grievances related to academic freedom to command-level attention. Upon resolution, violations of academic freedom will be reported to CCAF and AU Academic Affairs to ensure consistent and comprehensive application of University policies.

2.5.9.5. Establish and implement procedures for obtaining and documenting speaker permission to record or otherwise capture presentation materials.

2.5.9.6. Establish and implement procedures for obtaining permission to attribute comments.

2.6. Non-Attribution Policy.

2.6.1. Off-campus instructional site faculty, staff, and students are prohibited from attributing any statement, comment, or remark to participants (i.e., faculty, staff, students, or guest speakers) by name in public media or forums, or knowingly transmitting such to persons who will enter statements into the public arena, unless specifically authorized to do so.

2.6.2. Guest speaker presentations will not be recorded by attendees, by any means, without expressed, advance written permission from the guest speaker or their designated representative. To facilitate candid expression and learning, the non-attribution policy applies to all individual site programs, sessions, and distributed materials in which guest speakers participate. Typically, question and answer sessions following a speaker’s formal presentation will not be recorded or captured to preserve academic freedom and non- attribution unless specifically authorized by the speaker.

2.7. Academic Integrity.

2.7.1. AETCI 36-2909, dated 10 July 2017, Recruiting, Education, Accessions, and Training Standards of Conduct, Chapter 5, establishes prohibitions against…