Game Changer: The Value of SARA Participation
Concurrent Session 4
Brief Abstract
Join us for this presentation about the value of SARA, including cost savings that participating institutions realize. We will summarize the findings of a recent national cost savings study completed by NCHEMS, demonstrate a cost savings calculator, and share the additional benefits of SARA for states, institutions, and students.
Presenters
Extended Abstract
Given all learners’ increasing needs for access to and support in higher education, distance education will continue to be a key approach to both reach and serve students, as well as to support institutions’ future viability. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), in collaboration with the four regional higher education compacts, was established to develop and implement an effective and efficient reciprocal state-level authorization process for postsecondary distance education. NC-SARA’s mission is to provide broad access to postsecondary education opportunities to students across the country, to increase the quality and value of higher learning credentials earned via distance education, and to assure students are well served in a rapidly changing education landscape.
SARA establishes comparable national standards for interstate distance education program offerings. These reciprocity agreements help streamline distance education regulations, improve coordination between states and higher education institutions, reduce costly application fees and staff time, and help ensure member states and participating institutions adhere to a set of basic consumer protections for students.
NC-SARA, with support from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), has released a new report entitled “Game Changer: The Value of SARA Participation” that illustrates the cost savings associated with SARA participation for colleges and universities. This report reveals the significant savings that institutions participating in SARA can realize. In particular, the report takes a detailed look at the estimated cost savings that result from SARA participation, examining how institutions save time and resources while also expanding access to quality distance education programs for students nationwide.
This session will introduce participants to the NC-SARA commissioned report, share the findings on institutional cost savings and insights gleaned from NC-SARA’s data, and demonstrate the cost savings calculator, which institutions can use to estimate the cost savings for their institution when participating in SARA. Additionally, the perspective of an institution will lead a discussion on the benefits to students of SARA participation.