Proposed Policy Changes
At its meeting on June 23, 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission 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 November 2022. Comments should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by September 19, 2022.
- Clarification Regarding “Days”
The proposed policy changes would implement consistent use of the term “days” in HLC policies to signify calendar days. In instances where a different use is required, these instances will be stated in the applicable policy as “business days.” - Rules Regarding Prior Peer Reviewer Evaluation and Decision-Making Activity
HLC’s policies include requirements indicating when peer reviewers may be assigned to an evaluation of an institution after having previously participated in an evaluation or HLC Academy activity involving the same institution. The proposed policy changes would set similar requirements for members of the Institutional Actions Council (IAC). The changes would also indicate when peer reviewers and IAC members may be assigned to an evaluation or decision-making activity regarding an institution after having previously participated in an IAC decision-making activity involving the same institution. - Special Monitoring
The proposed changes would provide HLC’s President more flexibility in designing protocols that capitalize on a variety of existing mechanisms to gather information, evaluate evidence and make appropriate decisions that serve the interest of students and the public. Additional changes would clarify triggering circumstances, explain Advisory Visits and detail the impact of designations on certain types of substantive change activity.