12.1.8 Advertising, Student Recruitment, and Representation of Accredited Status
Policy Statement
Introduction
College of Charleston (hereafter, “College") representatives conducting student recruitment, including both employees and individuals acting as volunteers or international agents, must exhibit integrity and responsibility in their promotion of the College and comply with the standards outlined in this statement. This policy shall apply to both undergraduate and graduate student recruitment.
Advertising, Publications, and Promotional Literature
The primary purpose of recruitment activities, published recruitment information and advertisements is to provide students and the general public with information about educational programs and services offered at the College.
Statements and representations made by these activities and documents are to be clear, factual and current. The Graduate and Undergraduate Admission offices, and others charged with student recruitment, will work closely with the Division of Marketing and Communications to develop and provide recruitment materials and other forms of communication that are accurate. The Division of Marketing and Communications will obtain official statistical data for publication from the Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Information Management. Recruitment materials will be reviewed and updated, where appropriate, at least once each year.
Official publications will be made readily available to the public and to interested students in many different print and electronic formats, including the undergraduate and graduate catalogs, appropriate institutional websites, and other recruitment publications.
Student Recruitment for Admissions
Student recruitment will be conducted by well-qualified and trained admissions officers and staff members as well as appropriately selected and trained volunteers, including students who identify themselves and their College affiliation clearly.
Student recruitment will be conducted by well-qualified and trained admissions officers and staff members as well as appropriately selected and trained volunteers, including students who identify themselves and their College affiliation clearly.
Institutional representatives will accurately provide information about the institution including, but not limited to: admissions requirements, degree requirements including general education requirements, institutional facilities, tuition and fee information and/or program costs, information about student conduct requirements, opportunities and requirements for financial aid, as well as accurate and factual information about employment opportunities and job placement statistics.
All institutional representatives are required to adhere to the following standards:
- Compliance with federal guidelines for student recruitment will be followed. The College will not offer or give compensation for the recruitment of individual students to staff members or volunteers. Under contractual agreements, international agents may be compensated for international student recruitment provided that they adhere to professional and ethical guidelines and oversight by the institution.
- Compliance with Principles of Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education regulations.
- Institutional representatives will not offer money or inducements other than educational services in exchange for student enrollment. Scholarships and financial aid awards will be offered through processes that are published and based on consistent and equitable guidelines.
- Institutional representatives will not misrepresent job placement or job opportunities.
- Institutional representatives will not offer assurance of employment unless that arrangement can be made and verified.
The Offices of Undergraduate Admission and the Graduate School of the University of Charleston, South Carolina, at the College of Charleston will uphold these standards and others through adoption and adherence to appropriate professional standards, including the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP). This document outlines ethical and professional standards that provide guidelines for advertising and recruitment of certain student populations.
Representation of Accredited Status
The regional accreditation status of the institution is indicated on the College's website and in many College publications, including the undergraduate and graduate catalogs, only if the institution has achieved or reaffirmed accreditation status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (hereafter, "SACSCOC").
Statements shall not be made about the possibility of future accreditation status that has not been conferred.
Policy Manager and Responsible Department or Office
The Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid shall be the manager for this policy, with the assistance of the following offices:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Graduate School, University of Charleston, South Carolina, at the College of Charleston
School of Professional Studies
English Language Institute
Division of Marketing and Communications
Purpose/Reason for the Policy
To provide appropriate guidance on integrity and responsibility in the promotion of the College of Charleston.
Departments/Offices Affected by the Policy
Office of the Registrar
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Summer Sessions
Graduate School, University of Charleston, South Carolina
All Academic Schools
School of Professional Studies
Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Information Management
Office of the Provost
Division of Marketing and Communications
Related Policies, Documents or Forms
Faculty/Administration Manual
College of Charleston Undergraduate Catalog
College of Charleston Graduate Catalog
Policy 9.1.9 Ethics Policy
Policy 12.1.6 Policy for Applicants for Undergraduate Admission
Policy 12.1.7 Policy for Applicants for Graduate Admission
Standards for Professional Behavior (Office of Admissions)
PAWWS Training Manual
Charleston 40 Training Manual
International agent contracts/agreements
NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice
SACSCOC Policy on Advertising, Student Recruitment, and Representation of Accredited Status
12.1.8 Advertising, Student Recruitment, and Representation of Accredited Status
Revision Log
Issue Date: 8/23/2016
Last Review Date:
Next Review Date: 10/01/2021
Web Publication Date: 2/4/2026