Proposed Policy Changes
At its meeting on November 4–5, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission approved the following policy changes on first reading. HLC invites comments on these proposed policies before the Board takes final action on second reading in February 2022. Comments must 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.”