Academic Program Website Creation and Review (ACAD 100-011)

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish a consistent and structured framework for the creation, maintenance, and review of academic program content on the Baker College website. It ensures that published information is accurate, up to date, and aligned with accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and institutional goals. This policy supports the college’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the delivery of high-quality academic information to all stakeholders, including prospective and current students, faculty, staff, and accrediting bodies.

2.0 Definitions

Accreditation Standards - Guidelines and criteria established by accreditation bodies to ensure that educational institutions maintain high-quality programs and services that meet specific academic, administrative, and operational standards.

Content Review - The process of evaluating and verifying the accuracy, relevance, and compliance of the content on the college's website.

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) - A regional accrediting agency that evaluates and accredits colleges and universities in the United States. This is the institution’s accrediting agency.

Stakeholders - Individuals or groups that are impacted by or have an interest in the content and services provided by the college website, including students, faculty, staff, prospective students, parents, and accreditation bodies.

Team Dynamix (TDX) - The institution’s service management provider and ticketing system.

Website Content -  All digital materials including text, images, videos, documents, and interactive elements hosted on the college’s official website or my.baker portal that convey academic, institutional, or service-related information.

3.0 Scope

This policy applies to all academic program-related content on Baker College’s website. This policy applies to all departments and individuals responsible for the creation, review, and publication of academic content on Baker College managed websites.

4.0 Policy Statement

Baker College is committed to maintaining academic program website content that is accurate, accessible, current, and aligned with institutional branding and legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements. All academic content must reflect the college’s academic offerings and standards, support the needs of internal and external stakeholders, and uphold the integrity of publicly shared information. Website content must be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with applicable guidelines and to support transparency, accountability, and the college’s ongoing accreditation status.

5.0 Procedures

Content Review During Catalog Cycle

• As part of the biannual Catalog Development process, the Marketing and Communications (MarComm) department will send a communication to Deans requesting a comprehensive review of all academic program pages using staged links provided in a tracking spreadsheet.
• The spreadsheet will include program-specific links and a progress tracker to monitor review status.
• Program page updates must be documented using the Academic Program Page Corrections Template, located within the tracking spreadsheet.
• The completed template must be submitted by the Dean through a Team Dynamix (TDX) website update ticket.
• The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) will review all submitted content prior to publication.
• MarComm will publish approved updates and include the last review date on each program page.
• If updates include statistics or data, the content must first be validated in accordance with the Verification of Publicly Shared Data Policy before publication.

Content Review Outside of Catalog Cycle

• When content updates are needed outside of the catalog cycle, the Dean, in collaboration with the Program Director, must initiate a TDX website update ticket.
• The VPAA will be notified of all submitted tickets and will review the proposed content.
• Upon approval, MarComm will publish the updated content and apply a new last review date.
• Statistical or data-based content must be validated according to the Verification of Publicly Shared Data Policy before being published.
• Program Directors and Deans are responsible for proactively monitoring program information to ensure it reflects current accreditation standards, compliance requirements, and institutional changes.
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) must monitor updates to HLC policies and ensure that all relevant website content remains compliant.

Accreditation Compliance

• All academic program, degree, admissions, and institutional policy content must comply with accreditation standards established by the college’s accrediting bodies.
• The HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer is responsible for verifying that published content aligns with current HLC requirements.
• Content review activities must include a cross-check against accreditation criteria to ensure all published information supports the college’s continued accreditation.

Audit and Documentation

• The college will maintain a detailed record of all website content reviews and updates, including:
  • Date of review or publication,
  • Department responsible for the update,
  • Summary of changes made.
• Marcom is responsible for ensuring the last review date is visible on each academic program page once updates are published.

6.0 Responsibilities

Dean

• Participate on the initial review team to ensure compliance with accreditation requirements, institutional policies, and legal and ethical guidelines. 
• Participate in the formal approval process for content publication.

Marketing & Communications

• Create and disseminate the program tracking spreadsheet on a bi-annual basis.
• Provide oversight for the policy and create the procedure with timelines for review.
• Collaborate with program directors and Deans on the formatting of content and images and ensure standardization and consistency with website guidelines. 
• Collaborate with program directors and deans to complete the reviews and necessary edits and publishing approved content. 
• Provide oversight for the policy and create the procedure with timelines for review.

Program Director/Department Chair

• Review accreditation standards and create web content that aligns with the program objectives and accreditation standards. 
• Reference current accreditation standards during content creation. 
• Share updates from accrediting bodies with Deans and MarComm and Enrollment Management teams. 

Vice President for Academic Affairs

• Participate in the initial review and final approval process. 
• Ensure Higher Learning Commission policies and requirements are met.

7.0 Citations & Related Information

Document A: Federal Student Aid Handbook (Volume 2, Chapters 2 and 6)

Document B: HLC Requirements and Policies