Introduction and background
The Council’s Standing Board Policies require the executive vice 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
The Commission is appointed by, and makes its recommendations to the executive vice president for administrative action and, as appropriate, for referral by the executive vice president to the board of directors. 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 Ken Bussema overall management responsibility for credit-recommending and other student related programs.  He is the primary liaison with the 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.  Report and recommendations from the program directors are directed through Richard Gathro 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 senior 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.

SAPC CURRENT MEMBERSHIP:  

Dr. Carol Taylor (Chair)
Provost
Vanguard University of Southern California, CA

Dr. Robin Baker
President
George Fox University, OR

Dr. Robert Herron
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Southeastern University, FL

Mrs. Judith Moseman
VP for Student Life, Retired
Bethel University, MN 

Dr. Mark Sargent
Provost
Gordon College, MA

Dr. Brock Schroeder
Dean of Academic Support
Olivet Nazarene University, IL

Dr. Mary Ann Hollinger (ex officio)
Assoc. Dean for External Programs
Messiah College, PA