Higher Learning Commission

HLC’s Board of Trustees took the following actions at its meeting on February 23–24.

Proposed Policy Changes: Comments Invited

The Board approved the following proposed policy changes on first reading. We invite institutional representatives, peer reviewers and others to submit comments on these proposals before the Board takes final action on second reading in June. Comments should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by May 15, 2023.

• Arbitration Requirements 
  The policy change would amend the current arbitration provision in HLC’s Obligations of Membership policy to align more closely with federal regulations. The scope of the provision would be limited to disputes arising from adverse actions and would only include an “initial arbitration” requirement.
• Institutional Actions Council (IAC) Authority
  HLC policy currently specifies the types of accreditation decisions that may be made by the IAC, and those for which the Board retains authority. The policy changes would clarify that the IAC has the authority to take action on all accreditation decisions for which exclusive authority is not retained by HLC’s Board.

Adopted Policy Changes

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

• Overall Revisions to Bylaws 
  The revisions standardize terminology, streamline and condense language, and clarify procedures and requirements.
• Criteria Revision Process 
  The policy changes allow greater flexibility for staff to design appropriate methods for engaging member institutions and other stakeholders in the process of reviewing and revising the Criteria for Accreditation.
• Fraud and Abuse 
  The policy changes 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 policy changes 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 also modify the Obligations of Membership to require institutions to notify HLC when they are placed on the HCM2 or Reimbursement payment method.
• Recruiting, Admissions and Related Enrollment Practices 
  The policy changes align HLC’s policy on Recruiting, Admissions and Related Enrollment Practices with new federal regulations on recruitment. The revisions clarify HLC’s expectations and specify that the policy applies to all aspects of an institution’s enrollment process, including financial aid.
• Responding to Emergencies and Institutional Disruptions 
  The 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 will be required to request accommodations, and HLC will make determinations on a case-by-case basis as to what accommodations are available and appropriate.

Board Reviews Member Feedback on Proposed Policy Revisions related to Faculty Qualifications

In December, HLC previewed proposed policy revisions related to Faculty Qualifications to the membership for feedback, providing HLC members with multiple opportunities to review the proposed language: once informally prior to Board action and again, as part of HLC’s formal comment process between first reading and second reading. The draft policy addresses how HLC evaluates institutional compliance with faculty qualifications. HLC sought feedback on what guidance in our policies will be most helpful as institutions determine their measures, processes, documentation, and transparent approaches in this area. The Board of Trustees is reviewing the feedback.

HLC will host a listening session at the 2023 Annual Conference regarding this topic and has a target of the June 2023 Board of Trustees meeting for review of policy changes on first reading. Questions? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

EVOLVE Strategic Plan Update

HLC staff reported on the latest progress made toward HLC’s EVOLVE 2025 Strategic Plan goals. Highlights include preparations for the 2023 Annual Conference, and the further streamlining of HLC’s procedures by moving substantive change review panels and IAC virtual meetings into Canopy and sunsetting the separate HLC Portal system.

Institutional Actions

The Board took action on one institutional case, which is available on the February 2023 Institutional Actions page.

Next Meeting

The Board’s next meeting will be held on June 22–23, 2023.