Accreditation Liaison Officer Role and Responsibilities
Each HLC member institution is asked to identify an Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). ALOs receive communications from HLC regarding policies, procedures and professional development opportunities, including the report of actions following each meeting of HLC’s Board of Trustees, communications about the Institutional Update and information about HLC’s annual conference.
Welcome to the ALO RoleWhile the chief executive officer continues to be the primary contact point between HLC and the institution regarding HLC policies, practices and other matters related to accreditation, HLC policy allows for the ALO to also be a contact point.
ALO Responsibilities
General Communications
With HLC
- Serve as a recipient of HLC communications regarding the institution’s accreditation, in addition to the chief executive officer.
- Stay current with HLC policies and procedures.
- Provide comments to HLC as requested in its consideration of proposed policies, procedures and issues affecting the accreditation relationship.
- Facilitate responses to HLC inquiries, including complaints referred by HLC staff to the chief executive officer.
On Campus
- Disseminate information and answer questions about HLC policies and procedures for all audiences within the institution.
- Maintain the institution’s file of official documents and reports related to the institution’s relationship with HLC.
Reporting Requirements
- Provide oversight and direction for the institution’s Data Update Coordinator to ensure the accuracy of information submitted in the Institutional Update.
- Notify HLC if any of the following actions are taken by the U.S. Department of Education, state agencies or other recognized accreditors:
- U.S. Department of Education: If the institution is placed on or removed from provisional certification for participation in Title IV, complete the Provisional Certification Notification Form.
- State Agencies: If a state issues a pending or final action that affects the institution’s legal status or authority to grant degrees, notify HLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Other Recognized Accreditors: If the institution receives a pending or final action from or has been placed on sanction by any other recognized accreditor, notify HLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In the email, include a copy of the action letter from the accreditor.
Substantive Change
- Notify HLC of changes to the institution’s operations and academic offerings, as required by HLC's substantive change policy and procedures.
- Provide oversight and direction for the timely submission of substantive change requests and reports required by HLC policy.
Membership Dues and Fees
- Ensure that the institution meets its financial obligations to HLC through the timely payment of dues and fees.
Resources
- ALO training resources
- Canopy
- Dues and Fees Schedule
- Institutional Status and Requirements (ISR) Report (now available in Canopy)
- Leaflet newsletter
- Overview of the Accreditation Relationship
- Proposed and adopted policy changes
- Request an official letter from HLC (for verification of accreditation status, program or location approval, etc.)
- Resource Guide
- Submit documents to HLC
Related Policies
- COMM.A.10.020
Management of HLC Records and Information - INST.B.30.020
Obligations of Membership
Questions?
Contact HLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.