In the ever-changing would of Title IV compliance, it’s hard to live with the, “set it and forget it” mentality. However, many fall victim to the downfalls of their own preparation. You may have spent all that time writing your policies and procedures years ago, so there is really no need to look at those on a yearly basis…right? Unfortunately, these do need to be reviewed annually and updated accordingly. There is no time like the present to start this process and to make sure all your bases are covered.
The Department of Education knows this is an arduous task and has created A Guide to Creating a Policies & Procedures Manual.
This is an excellent tool for policies and procedures and should be utilized if you are unsure if your current checks and balances is ticking all the right boxes. Another good tool to use is the most current Title IV Audit Guide (2016), which has the procedures used to test these requirements.
Here are some of the required procedures being tested during the audit process:
There is never a better time than now to review your policies and procedures to make sure they are sufficient in nature. For example, if your campus crime document is one to two pages long, chances are it is not sufficient. There are a lot of requirements to fulfill, which typically fill up at least 15-20 pages. Be aware that The Clery Act is an area the Department of Education is closely reviewing right now. They are issuing fines, which can be hefty at times.
The best way to avoid problems tomorrow is to address them today. Take the time to review your policies and procedures and make sure they are inclusive and up-to-date. A little bit of footwork now can pay dividends down the road!
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