Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission’s Board of Trustees took the following actions at their meeting on November 4–5, 2021.

Proposed Policies

The Board approved the following proposed policy changes on first reading. HLC invites comments on these proposals before the Board takes final action on second reading in February 2022. Comments should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by February 7, 2022.

• Decision-Making Options Related to the Assumed Practices and Federal Compliance Requirements
  The proposed changes would clarify the decision-making options available when an institution is out of compliance with any Assumed Practice or Federal Compliance Requirement but otherwise in compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation.
• External Consultation
  The proposed changes would consolidate existing policies that allow HLC to exercise its discretion in seeking assistance from external experts where appropriate to advance the work of its staff members, peer reviewers and members of HLC decision-making bodies without participating in any evaluative process.
• Processes for Reaffirmation of Accreditation
  The proposed changes would reorganize, consolidate and clarify policies related to processes for Reaffirmation of Accreditation and the Standard and Open Pathways. The changes would also revise the meaning of Reaffirmation of Accreditation and extend the maximum timeframe for reaffirmation.
• Recognized Accreditors
  The proposed changes would standardize the use of the phrase “recognized accreditor” to refer to those accreditors “recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.”

Adopted Policies

The Board adopted the following policy changes on second reading. The policies are effective immediately.

• Evaluating the Criteria for Accreditation
  The adopted change adds a statement that elaborates on HLC’s increasing commitment to consideration of varying institutional missions, models and approaches within higher education when evaluating the Criteria for Accreditation. The change also clarifies that peer reviewers are expected to exercise their judgment as to whether an institution meets the Criteria at the level of each Core Component and Criterion, rather than at the level of the subcomponents, and to prepare their team reports accordingly.
• Additional Board Procedures
  The policy change clarifies when certain procedures related to due process, including a Board Committee hearing, are available to an institution prior to the Board taking action.

EVOLVE Strategic Plan Update

The Board reviewed the latest progress report on HLC’s strategic plan goals. Highlights include the upcoming launch of Canopy, a new online system for institutions and peer reviewers, and HLC’s involvement with other higher education and student-success organizations in a Shared Commitment for making “Democracy Learning a Top Priority for Postsecondary Education.”

HLC Audit

The Board received and accepted the independent auditor’s report for fiscal year 2021. A copy of the audit may be requested from HLC by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Institutional Actions

The Board took action on a number of institutions. These actions are available on the November 2021 Recent Actions page.

Next Meeting

The Board’s next meeting will be held on February 24–25, 2022.