Student Academic Programs Commission
Introduction and background
The Council’s Standing Board Policies require the president to appoint a Student Academic Programs Commission (SAPC) to serve as a source of review, advice and accountability for student programs. SAPC, in essence, serves as a liaison body with the Council membership, and guarantor of the quality of Council student programs.
Authority
SAPC makes its recommendations for administrative action to the vice president for student programs and, as appropriate, for referral by the vice president to the president and board of directors. Dr. Ken Bussema, Vice President for student programs, is primary staff liaison.
Membership
SAPC has six members appointed for two or three-year staggered terms. The Commission recommends new members to the president annually. Members serve until their replacements are appointed and any member can be reappointed up to a maximum of six consecutive years. The Commission has at least three chief academic officers and one chief student development officer serving at all times.
General Student Programs Management
The president has delegated to Dr. Ken Bussema overall management responsibility for credit-recommending and other student related programs. He is the primary liaison with SAPC. Each program director has major responsibility for helping to shape and implement Council policies and Commission recommendations for the day-to-day direction of the programs. Reports and recommendations from the program directors are directed through Dr. Ken Bussema to SAPC.
Functions of the Commission
SAPC meets twice yearly and provides oversight of the general academic and student life aspects of all Council-managed student programs. Through written reports, review of published information, major on-site visits of student programs, etc., the full Commission reviews and recommends in writing, policies and procedures applicable to any or all of the programs. The Commission also provides counsel to the vice president.
Reports of On-Site Reviews
Each program is visited by the Commission for an extensive on-site review a minimum of once every six years. Copies of the written reports are sent to the chief academic officers of Council member colleges and universities. They are also sent to accreditation agencies upon request.
CURRENT SAPC MEMBERSHIP:
Ken Gilson
Dean of Academic Records and University Registrar
Biola University (CA)Wendy Lippert
Director of Education Abroad
Messiah College (PA)
Dr. Mark Sargent
Provost
Westmont College (CA)Dr. Brock Schroeder
Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies and Enrollment
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (OH)Dr. Bethany Schuttinga
Associate Provost/Vice President for Student Services
Dordt College (IA)Dr. Kathleen Storm
Associate Provost for Faculty Development
Whitworth University (WA)
