Become a COPLAC Member

Established in 1987 and now consisting of 26 colleges and universities in 24 states and one Canadian province, COPLAC represents a distinguished sector in higher education. Membership can benefit your students, staff, faculty, and administrators in a variety of ways. Interested in joining COPLAC? More information can be found below or feel free to contact the COPLAC office.
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Institutional

► Faculty Professional Development
► Grant Participation
► Advocacy Initiatives

COPLAC Membership FAQs

What does COPLAC look for in prospective members?
The Council on Public Liberal Arts Colleges establishes membership through a set of criteria and a review process. Prospective member universities should be committed to the mission and values of COPLAC and to collaborative work that supports the public sector of higher education, representing access, affordability, and community engagement, while providing students with a holistic and integrative liberal arts and sciences undergraduate experience that prepares students for lifelong learning and civic engagement in a democratic society.
What size are COPLAC institutions?
COPLAC institutions have typically been small to medium-sized, but there are no size criteria. In the past, the full-time equivalency students (FTES) for COPLAC institutions has ranged from 900 to 8500. More important than a specified student enrollment as a membership criterion is the candidate institution’s demonstrated commitment to a student-centered liberal education such as that offered by the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ LEAP initiative with its Essential Learning Outcomes.
What is provisional membership?
Institutions with provisional membership are working toward satisfying the criteria for full membership, as stated above. Provisional members may attend COPLAC board meetings and conferences but are not eligible to vote on board decisions and should not be present when the vote on membership is taken. Provisional membership status may be continued for five years and does not guarantee full membership. After five years, institutions must reapply for provisional status.
Is COPLAC membership limited to one campus per state or province?
Historically, COPLAC conceived of membership in terms of one institution per state. That limitation is no longer appropriate given the geographical size of many states and provinces. The COPLAC Executive Committee and Board of Directors will consider reasonable arguments on this issue made by the current member in a state or province.
What will cause COPLAC to reconsider our campus’ membership?
Once designated a member of COPLAC, an institution has a commitment to participate in and engage with the organization. Lack of engagement over time may lead the Executive Committee to inquire about the institution’s on-going commitment.
As an institution’s mission or administrative structure or makeup evolves or involves substantial challenges, the membership committee and executive committees may feel it necessary to invite a campus to consider its membership with the consortium. In such cases, a Membership Review Process may be started.