Comment on Proposed Policy Changes

At its meeting on October 31, 2024, HLC’s Board of Trustees took the following policy and accreditation actions. 

Proposed Policy Changes 

• Open Pathway Evaluative Activities 
  The proposal would establish an option for eligible institutions on the Open Pathway to choose to complete a second Quality Initiative, focused on student success, in lieu of the mid-cycle Assurance Review in Year 4. The proposed changes would also clarify certain other practices related to the Standard and Open Pathways. 
• Student Success Outcomes: Data Collection and Indicator Follow-Up 
  The proposal would allow for an expansion of HLC’s risk indicator process to include the evaluation of student success outcome measures, including using data reported to IPEDS. (See Elevating Student Success in 2025 for additional information about student success indicators.) 
• Teach-Out Arrangements 
  The proposal would clarify HLC’s requirements regarding teach-out arrangements. The changes would better align HLC’s policies with regulatory requirements, while continuing to be focused on student needs. 
• Special Monitoring 
  The proposal would establish special monitoring reports as a possible method for HLC to respond quickly to a developing situation at a member institution. It would also clarify HLC’s practices with respect to institutional designations and special monitoring generally. 

Adopted Policy Changes 

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

• Eligibility Requirements 
  The adopted changes streamline HLC’s Eligibility Requirements and align them with the revised Criteria for Accreditation and Assumed Practices. 
• Sanctions and Reaffirmation of Accreditation 
  The adopted changes establish standard time periods for Notice and Probation, as well as the general rule that an institution would have its accreditation reaffirmed when it is removed from Probation or a Show-Cause Order. The changes also clarify the standard for issuing a Show-Cause Order. 

Accreditation Actions 

The Board took action on a number of institutional cases. See October 2024 Accreditation Actions. 

Next Board Meeting 

The Board’s next meeting will be held February 27–28, 2025. See the Board of Trustee’s calendar for additional meeting dates.