Continued News

NACIQI Releases Draft Report on Accreditation: Comments Invited

On October 28, 2011, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) released a discussion draft on "Higher Education Accreditation Reauthorization Policy Considerations."  The Commission encourages all those who have an interest in the future role of accreditation to submit written comments on the draft report. Comments must be received by USDE by November 25, 2011. See the USDE's November 1, 2011, Federal Register notice for information.

Relations with Governmental Agencies

The U.S. Department of Education has announced rules requiring all institutions participating in Title IV to be able to document compliance with state laws in all states where they offer distance or correspondence education. To address this need, SHEEO, the national association of state higher education executive officers, is developing a directory of agencies responsible for implementing state quality assurance laws as well as a compendium of state laws and regulations.

Other information about federal regulations.

Substantive Change and Accreditation Status

The Commission recognizes that change at institutions of higher learning is constant and it supports change to improve educational quality. The Commission has defined specific conditions under which the institution needs to obtain authorization before implementing changes because they may affect accreditation.

HLC Receives Lumina Grant

The Commission is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $425,000 from the Lumina Foundation to explore the applicability and usefulness of Lumina’s Degree Qualifications Profile through HLC’s new Open Pathway model for reaffirmation of accreditation.

Report of Board Actions

The Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission met on June 23-24, 2011. The following actions took place.

Proposed Policy Changes

The Board approved on first reading the following proposed revised policies:
Policy changes related to Course Locations

Policy changes related to Credit Hour
Credit Hour Information for Institutions
Credit Hour Protocol for Peer Reviewers

Adopted Policy Changes

The Board adopted the following revised policies. They are effective immediately.
Policy changes related to Eligibility Requirements, Clarification of the term of Candidacy, and Decision Process

2012 Dues and Fees Schedule Adopted

The Board adopted the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2012 and the Dues and Fees Schedule for Fiscal Year 2012. Dues invoices were mailed June 28.

Report of Board Actions

The Commission’s Board of Trustees met on February 24-25, 2011 and the following actions took place:

• The Board adopted on second reading policies related to Sanctions, Withdrawal, and Related Actions.
• The Board approved on first reading proposed policies on: Decision Process (related to the decision-making processes of the Commission), Candidacy (clarification of the Candidacy term), and Eligibility Requirements.

Commission Approves Policy Regarding ALO

At the November 2010 board meeting the Trustees passed a policy requiring each institution to designate an Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO).

Report of Board Actions

The Commission’s Board of Trustees met on June 23-24, 2010. The following actions took place:

• The Board adopted on second reading the amended Bylaws for the Higher Learning Commission.
• The Board approved on first reading a proposed new policy related to: Substantial Presence in the Region.
• The Board adopted on second reading a series of new and amended policies related to: Substantive Change and Decision Process. The policies are effective immediately unless otherwise noted.
• The Board adopted the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2011 and the 2011 Dues and Fees Schedule.

Commission Offices have Moved

The NCA Higher Learning Commission has moved to a new address: 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.  The phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and Web site remain the same.