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Proposed Policy Changes
At its meeting on November 3, 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 February 2023. Comments should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by January 16, 2023.
- Overall Revisions to Bylaws
The proposed changes are the result of a comprehensive review of HLC’s Bylaws by a committee of Trustees and HLC staff. The changes would standardize terminology, streamline and condense language, and clarify procedures and requirements. - Criteria Revision Process
The proposed policy change would preserve staff flexibility in designing appropriate methods for engaging HLC’s membership and other stakeholders in the process of reviewing and revising the Criteria for Accreditation. - Fraud and Abuse
The proposed policy changes would clarify that allegations of fraud and abuse can be submitted to HLC by various external parties and that any allegations will be reviewed using the appropriate mechanism under HLC policy. - Heightened Cash Monitoring
The proposed policy changes would clarify that institutions placed on the Reimbursement or Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 (HCM2) payment methods by the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education are required to submit a Provisional Plan to HLC for approval. The changes would also modify HLC’s Obligations of Membership to require institutions to notify HLC when they are placed on HCM2 or the Reimbursement payment method. - Recruiting, Admissions and Related Enrollment Practices
The proposed policy changes would align HLC’s policy on Recruiting, Admissions and Related Institutional Practices with new federal regulations on recruitment. The revisions would clarify HLC’s expectations and specify that the policy applies to all aspects of an institution’s enrollment process, including federal-aid determination and administration. - Responding to Emergencies and Institutional Disruptions
The proposed new policy establishes that HLC may leverage its existing policies and, if available, flexibilities permitted by the U.S. Department of Education or other entities to allow institutions time to manage an emergency or severe disruption while maintaining a high level of academic quality. Institutions would be required to request accommodations by HLC, and HLC would make determinations on a case-by-case basis as to what accommodations are available and appropriate.