The intent of the revisions to the administrative code is to simplify the collaborative and service area process by establishing three different levels of "Instructional Service Agreements" with clear definitions and requirements for each level. 

The following is a summary of the three levels:

Level One Instructional Service Agreement (Permission Slip)
Level One agreements should be utilized when a college is requesting permission to deliver curriculum course(s), a curriculum program or continuing education courses into another college's service area.  These agreements do not involve the sharing of resources or FTE.  This level of agreement does not have to be approved or kept on file by the System Office, however, it must be kept on file at participating colleges for audit purposes.

Level Two Instructional Service Agreement (Joint Offering of a Course)
Level Two agreements should be utilized when two or more colleges are jointly offering curriculum or continuing education courses.  Level Two involves the sharing of resources in order to offer a course and may include the sharing of FTE.  Sharing of NC Information Highway courses should be included in this level of Instructional Service Agreement.  These agreements must be filed with the System Office prior to implementation of the courses.  They no longer require System Office approval.

Level Three Instructional Service Agreement (Joint Offering of a Program)
Level Three agreements should be utilized when two or more colleges are jointly offering a curriculum program.  Level Three involves the sharing of resources and may include the sharing of FTE.  This agreement must be approved by the System Office prior to implementation of the program. 

Advantages of New Process:

• Agreements to offer services in another service area (formerly known as service area agreements) do not need to be submitted to the System Office.
• Agreements to jointly offer courses only need to be filed with the System Office prior to implementation, instead of approved by the System Office.
• The revisions eliminate separate processes for continuing education courses, NCIH delivery and curriculum courses/programs.  The three levels (permission, sharing of courses and sharing of a program) apply to all applications. 

These agreements are designed to include arrangements for the offering of courses delivered via the NC Information Highway.  They are not designed to regulate the offering of Internet/Online courses or curriculums. 

Reference: 23NCAC 02C.0107, 23NCAC 02D.0323(e), and 23NCAC 02E.0604,