Affiliation and Accreditation

This policy serves as a guide for institutions seeking affiliation with the Open Association of Research Society or those wishing to have their programs validated by the organization.

Affiliation

This policy serves as a guide for institutions seeking affiliation with the Open Association of Research Society or those wishing to have their programs validated by the organization. The policy offers a strategic framework, allowing the Society to optimize its resources and extend its current affiliation system in response to demand. Only educational institutions, companies, research publishing companies, colleges, and universities (referred to as organizations) are eligible for affiliation.

Mutual Goal In pursuit of establishing mutually beneficial exchange programs, OARS promotes the development of joint studies, research, training activities, and other educational initiatives of shared interest. The Society believes that international understanding and educational opportunities for their students and faculty can be enhanced through international academic and scientific cooperation.

Principle

The Open Association of Research Society adheres to the following principles for new or renewed affiliations:

Facilitate the achievement of both the Open Association of Research Society and the affiliating organization's goals and missions.

Demonstrate adherence to established academic, administrative, financial, facilities, and support criteria.

Ensure no economic burden is placed on the Open Association of Research Society.

Require that all costs associated with reviewing a new or renewal proposal for affiliation are borne by the requesting organization, including site visits, meetings, reports, and legal services.

Procedures

New affiliation agreements and significant modifications of existing agreements will be established by the Society Council upon recommendation from OARS Academic Board. Requests for new and renewed affiliation agreements should be initiated by the institution seeking affiliation and forwarded to the Treasurer and Vice-President for approval.

Monitoring

Regular, periodic monitoring and thorough assessments of all affiliation agreements, including existing ones, will be conducted. A comprehensive assessment will be undertaken five years after initiating a new affiliation agreement, and subsequently at ten-year intervals, or sooner at the request of either the Organization/College or University.

Any proposals for amendments arising from the monitoring process will be discussed between appropriate representatives of the Organization/College and University, and resolved amicably.

General Institutional Requirements

Any proposals for amendments arising from the monitoring process will be discussed between appropriate representatives of the Organization/College and University, and resolved amicably.

Authorization

It should have legal authorization to grant degrees (if the organization is a college/university), and it should meet all legal requirements to operate as an institution of higher education wherever its activities are conducted.

It should have legal documents confirming its status as either not-for-profit, for-profit, or public.

Governance

It should have a governing board with the necessary legal power to establish and review fundamental policies governing the institution.

Its governing board should include public members and maintain sufficient autonomy from the administration and ownership to ensure the institution's integrity.

It should have an executive officer appointed by the governing board to provide administrative leadership.

Its governing board should authorize the institution's affiliation with the Society.

Faculty (if the organization is a college/university)

It should employ faculty awarded degrees from accredited institutions at the level of instruction offered by the institution.

It should have an adequate number of full-time faculty members.
Its faculty members should play a significant role in developing and evaluating all of the institution's educational programs.

Educational Program (if the organization is a college/university)

It should have the legal authority to confer degrees.

It should have degree programs in operation with enrolled students.

Its degree programs should align with the institution's mission and be based on recognized fields of study at the higher level of education.

Its degrees should be appropriately named, following common practices in terms of both length and content.

Its undergraduate degree programs should include a logical general education requirement consistent with the institution's mission, ensuring breadth of knowledge and promoting intellectual inquiry.

It should have admissions policies and practices that align with the institution's mission and are suitable for its educational programs.

It should provide students access to the necessary learning resources and support services for its degree programs.

Finances

It should undergo an external financial audit by a certified public accountant or a public audit agency at least every two years.
Its financial documents should demonstrate the appropriate allocation and use of resources to support its educational programs.
Its financial practices, records, and reports should indicate fiscal viability.

Public Information (if the organization is a college/university)

Its catalog or other official documents should include its mission statement along with accurate descriptions of the following:

Its educational curriculum and degree requirements.

Its learning resources.

Its admissions policies, procedures, and practices.

Its academic and non-academic policies and procedures directly affecting students.

Its fees, other charges, and refund policies.

The academic qualifications of its faculty and administrators.

It should accurately disclose its standing with accrediting bodies with which it is affiliated or seeking affiliation. It should also make available, upon request, information that accurately describes its financial condition.