Building Buy-In: The Cornerstone of Sustainable Change

Obtaining buy-in is crucial in distance education compliance, as it ensures that all stakeholders (e.g., administrators, faculty, and students) are aligned with the institution's policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. When key players support compliance initiatives, it fosters a culture of accountability and ensures that everyone understands the importance of maintaining standards, avoiding legal risks, and enhancing the quality of education. Achieving buy-in also helps create a shared responsibility for maintaining compliance in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

What Is Buy-In and Why Does It Matter?:

Despite its frequent use, the term “buy-in” is often misunderstood.

• Moon (2009): Buy-in = commitment to agreements + trust.
• Jakobsen (2020): Buy-in = securing stakeholder support and endorsement.

Why It is Essential in Higher Education:

• Ensures long-term compliance success.
• Builds a culture of integrity and accountability.
• Encourages shared ownership of institutional goals.
• Prevents fragmented, unsustainable efforts that can lead to legal and financial risks.

10 Strategies to Develop Buy-In in Higher Ed Compliance Programs:

1. Secure Leadership Commitment:
   1. Involve top leadership (Chancellor, Provost) early.
   2. Make compliance a recurring topic in strategic plans and campus-wide communication.
   3. Set the tone for institutional culture.
2. Engage Key Stakeholders Early:
   1. Identify faculty, staff, legal, HR, IT, etc..
   2. Conduct focus groups and listening sessions.
   3. Include stakeholders in advisory committees.
3. Build Cross-Departmental Collaboration:
   1. Form task forces with cross-campus representation.
   2. Break silos with regular collaboration.
   3. Encourage joint problem-solving.
4. Develop Clear Policies and Procedures:
   1. Write actionable, user-friendly policies.
   2. Use FAQs and summaries for complex rules.
   3. Host policies on easily accessible platforms.
5. Implement Targeted and Ongoing Training:
   1. Create role-specific, engaging training.
   2. Use real-world scenarios and flexible formats.
   3. Include in onboarding and require annual refreshers.
6. Foster a Culture of Ethics and Compliance:
   1. Normalize ethical conduct and reporting.
   2. Recognize and reward compliance champions.
   3. Promote transparency and non-retaliatory channels.
7. Communicate Proactively:
   1. Share updates via email, forums, newsletters, signage.
   2. Reinforce how compliance supports student safety, accreditation, and institutional mission.
   3. Follow up with non-participants supportively.
8. Involve the Campus Community in Continuous Improvement:
   1. Solicit regular feedback (surveys, forums).
   2. Use input to refine compliance strategies.
   3. Address concerns collaboratively.
9. Leverage Technology:
   1. Use compliance platforms to track training, automate reminders.
   2. Analyze engagement data to target low-participation areas.
10. Monitor, Assess, and Report:
    1. Conduct audits and assessments.
    2. Report metrics transparently.
    3. Continuously adjust strategies as needed.

Buy-In as a Foundation for Lasting Compliance

Without institutional buy-in, compliance may be seen as bureaucratic rather than integral. For distance education, where regulation is fast-evolving, buy-in ensures compliance is embedded in institutional operations and not treated as an afterthought.

For additional information, refer to the article, “Securing Support, Building Trust: Why Buy-In Matters in Compliance”.

Note: This resource was created by the State Authorization Network (SAN) a network of WCET. Regulatory language and references are subject to change. The information should not be considered legal advice. Legal questions should be directed to legal counsel.