Statements by the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions

The Council of Regional Accrediting Commission (C-RAC) is compromised of the historically regional U.S. accreditors, including HLC. The group occassionally releases joint statements providing guidance on topics related to institutional accreditation.

21st Century Distance Education Guidelines (March 2021)

These guidelines for institutional accreditors reviewing distance education were developed through a partnership among C-RAC, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS).

Regional Accreditors Announce Common Framework for Defining and Approving Competency-Based Education Programs (June 2015)

This joint statement released by C-RAC outlines the criteria that HLC and other accreditors will use in defining and approving competency-based education (CBE) programs.

Endorsements

HLC endorses the following statements on important issues affecting higher education.

Free and Open Academic Inquiry and Debate on Our Campuses Is Essential to Our Democracy and National Well-Being (March 2022)

This statement from 93 organizations asserts higher education institutions' commitment "to transparent intellectual inquiry and academic excellence, free speech, and civil discourse." The statement calls on U.S. government institutions to "share and support this commitment."

Joint Statement on Legislative Efforts to Restrict Education About Racism and American History (June 2021)

This statement, signed by 150 organizations, provides "firm opposition to a spate of legislative proposals being introduced across the country that target academic lessons, presentations, and discussions of racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and universities. These efforts have taken varied shape in at least 20 states, but often the legislation aims to prohibit or impede the teaching and education of students concerning what are termed 'divisive concepts.'"

Statement of Principles on Acceptance of Credit (May 2020)

This statement describes eight principles for managing and evaluating academic credit and assessing student transcripts impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. It was issued by the American Association of Community Colleges, Association of American Universities, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, American Council on Education, and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit (May 2020)

This statement offers guidelines and considerations for the development of credit transfer policies. It was issued by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Council on Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.