We are excited to announce the 2026 SARA Policy Modification Process (PMP) proposals that were unanimously approved by the four regional education compacts through their Regional Steering Committees (RSCs); Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC); New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE); Southern Regional Education Board (SREB); Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)]. These proposals reflect the dedication and collaborative efforts of the SARA community.

The final step in the SARA Policy Modification Process is for the NC-SARA Board of Directors to vote on these SARA policy proposals during the Fall 2026 NC-SARA Board Meeting. The public is invited to view a livestream broadcast of the public session of NC-SARA’s 2026 Fall Board Meeting, Wednesday, October 28, 2026: 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time until complete (not to exceed 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time).

Complete results of the regional education compacts/RSCs voting are available to the public in the SARA Policy Modification Process portal, along with a rationale for any
decision not to approve a proposed SARA PMP proposal.

Key highlights of the 9 regional education compact and RSC-approved SARA PMP proposals:

PMP26-0797: Clarification of Teach Out Plans Submission
Removing language to clarify the policy applies to institutional teach-out plans (not programmatic).

PMP26-0798: Data submission by participating institutions
Clarifies that details regarding SARA data submission by SARA-participating institutions are provided in the Data Reporting Handbook, and that sufficient notice will be given to institutions of any future changes to data to be collected.

PMP26-0799: SARA Definition
Amends the definition of “SARA” by removing the “s” at the end of “agreement” to be consistent with the Unified State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.

PMP26-0800: 8.2.e. Policy Review Cycle
The policy modification process (PMP) cycle will occur every other year (odd-numbered
years).

PMP26-0801: 8.2.j. Exigent Circumstances
Clarifies the criteria that must be met for a proposal and the review and approval process outside the regular policy modification process (PMP) cycle.

PMP26-0802: 3.7.b Appeals Process (Removal of Implementation Date)
Removes the past implementation date of January 1, 2021.

PMP26-0805: SARA Policy Manual – Non-Substantive Changes
Formatting and copy edits throughout the SARA Policy Manual to make the content more consistent and clear.

PMP26-0809: 3.1.d – Reasons for Denial
Align initial institutional eligibility requirements with existing institutional loss of eligibility reasons.

PMP26-0823: State Renewal Options
Expands SARA state membership renewal options to include provisional status and warning notice.

Registration Now Open to Watch the Livestream Broadcast of the Public Session of the NC-SARA Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 28, 2026: 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time until complete (not to exceed 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time)

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

If you have questions about the SARA Policy Modification Process, please visit the Participate in SARA Policy Modifications webpage, or you may contact info@nc-sara.org.

 

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