322.001 REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIVE INTERACTION (RSI) IN ONLINE AND HYBRID COURSES

• Policy Statement
  

  Clark College is committed to ensuring high-quality educational experiences across all course modalities. In alignment with federal regulations and accreditation standards, the College affirms the importance of Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) between instructors and students in online and hybrid courses. This policy establishes expectations for meaningful, instructor-led engagement to maintain academic integrity, student success, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Purpose of the Policy
  

  Online and hybrid education supports Clark College’s Vision, Mission, and Values by expanding access to learning opportunities for students unable to attend face-to-face courses. This policy outlines the minimum expectations for RSI to ensure that online and hybrid courses provide a robust, interactive, and high-quality learning environment.

• Scope
  

  This policy applies to all credit-bearing online and hybrid courses offered by Clark College, including fully online, synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid formats.

• Definitions
  

  Regular Interaction

  Interaction that is initiated by the instructor, scheduled and predictable, and responsive to student needs. This includes:
  - Frequent and consistent instructor presence throughout the course
  - Timely monitoring of student progress
  - Proactive outreach to students demonstrating disengagement or lack of progress

  Substantive Interaction

  Engagement that involves teaching, learning, and assessment activities that contribute to student learning and achievement of course outcomes. Examples include:
  - Providing direct instruction (e.g., lectures, demonstrations, administering and responding to assessments)
  - Facilitating discussions or engaging in academic dialogue with students about course content
  - Offering individualized, content-specific feedback on student assignments
  - Participating in and guiding structured learning activities

  Non-Substantive Activities

  The following do not meet the definition of substantive interaction on their own:
  - Auto-graded quizzes or exams
  - Pre-recorded lectures without instructor interaction
  - Student-only peer discussions or group work
  - Administrative communications such as grade notifications, deadline reminders, or technical troubleshooting

• Authority and References
  

  Federal Regulations
  - U.S. Department of Education, 34 CFR Parts 600, 602 and 668
  - “Distance Education and Innovation” Final Rules (2021)

  Accreditation Standards
  - Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), 2020 Standards
  - Standard 2.G.7: Identity verification and privacy for distance education

• Policy History
  

   

  New Policy/Procedures Approved by Executive Cabinet
  August 5, 2025