Program/Institution Closure/Reduction Policy

Policy Statement

Institution closure, program closure or a change in program size is a potential occurrence in today’s academic environment. The DIO will be informed in the event that the University at Buffalo (UB) as a sponsoring institution, a major participating institution (e.g., affiliated hospital), or an ACGME-accredited residency/fellowship training program intends to close, or there will be a reduction in program size. The DIO will then inform the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), the program(s) and the residents/fellows as soon as possible.

If training positions are reduced, UB and its hospital partners will ensure that residents/fellows currently enrolled in a program are permitted to complete their training.

In the event that a program or the institution is closed, UB and its hospital partners will assist residents/fellows in affected programs to continue their education in ACGME-accredited programs.

Applicable Requirements

ACGME Institutional Requirements Effective 7/1/2022 (IV.O.- IV.O.2.)

  • Closures and Reductions: The Sponsoring Institution must maintain a policy that addresses GMEC oversight of reductions in size or closure of each of its ACGME-accredited programs, or closure of the Sponsoring Institution that includes the following: (Core)
    • the Sponsoring Institution must inform the GMEC, DIO, and affected residents/fellows as soon as possible when it intends to reduce the size of or close one or more ACGME-accredited programs, or when the Sponsoring Institution intends to close; and, (Core)
    • the Sponsoring Institution must allow residents/fellows already in an affected ACGME-accredited program(s) to complete their education at the Sponsoring Institution, or assist them in enrolling in (an)other ACGME- accredited program(s) in which they can continue their education. (Core)

Established:  1999
Reviewed by GMEC: 03/08; 5/18; 6/22