To comply with accreditation standards, this policy describes the conditions in which UW-Madison must seek approval for the delivery of credit instruction by contractors.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), UW-Madison’s accrediting body, dictates that prior HLC approval or notification may be required related to the initiation, modification, or renewal of contractual arrangements in which some portion of an academic program is outsourced.

If an academic division or academic unit at UW-Madison seeks to enter a contractual arrangement for the delivery of instruction that results in the awarding of UW-Madison credit, the arrangement requires academic approval by the faculty of the contracting department or unit, the dean of the school/college, and the University Academic Planning Council (UAPC). Upon approval of these entities, the contractual arrangement must be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for review and approval. Once approved by the HLC, the contract may be signed by UW-Madison’s Office of Procurement.

HLC approval or notification is not required for arrangements between an institution and a third party in which any of the following conditions apply:

• The contract is solely for goods and services, such as food services and parking lot management, that are unrelated to the provision of academic programs.
• The institution offers the goods or services to another party.
• The contractual partner provides an internship that does not include a formal instructional component.
• The contractual partner provides only books or supplies supporting the academic program or only equipment or a platform for internet-based instruction.
• The contract between the contractual partner and the institution provides only for the articular or transfer of courses that are transcribed as transfer credit on the students’ transcripts and not the outsourcing of courses carrying academic credit from the institution.

In addition, the following arrangements do not fall under the definition of a contractual arrangement and do not require HLC approval or notification:

• Consortial Arrangement: An arrangement in which all of the contractual partners providing goods or services related to academic programs are institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Credit Transfer

Proposals for contractual agreements are submitted in Lumen Structure Proposals.

UW-Madison Office of Procurement

Procedures for Contractual Arrangements for the Delivery of Credit Instruction

Higher Learning Commission Contractual Arrangements Screening Form

Higher Learning Commission Substantive Change

Higher Learning Commission Substantive Change Contractual Arrangements