HLC’s Board of Trustees took the following actions at its meeting on November 6–7, 2025.

Proposed Policy Changes: Comments Invited

The Board adopted the following proposed policy change on first reading. We welcome feedback on this proposal before the Board considers it for adoption at its meeting in February 2026.

Submit your comments about the proposed changes to [email protected] by January 19, 2026. 

Institutional Control: Related Entities and Components

The proposed policy changes would clarify HLC policies related to the entities that control an institution (referred to as related entities) and the parts of an institution (referred to as components). Specifically, the proposed changes would clarify:

• When a member institution must provide information to HLC about a related entity, including as part of the Institutional Update (starting in 2027) or evaluative activities, such as a comprehensive evaluation.
• Which components of an institution are included within the scope of the institution’s HLC accreditation, and thus would be regularly reviewed as part of HLC’s quality assurance activities.
• How an institution’s related entities and components relate to other policies, including HLC’s policy on Change of Control, Structure or Organization.

Adopted Policy Changes

The Board adopted the following policy changes on second reading.

• Federal Compliance Requirements (effective September 1, 2026)
  Clarified aspects of HLC’s Federal Compliance Requirements, including matters related to recordkeeping for student complaints, public disclosure of certain information, and actions by states and other recognized accreditors.
• Separate Audit Requirements (effective immediately)
  Revised HLC’s Eligibility Requirements and Assumed Practices to provide flexibility for institutions in how they meet HLC requirements related to providing financial information for the institution that is separate from any related entity.
• Revising and Editing Policies (effective immediately)
  Clarified the distinction between policy revisions reviewed and adopted by the Board and minor policy edits that HLC staff may make without Board approval or a period of member comment. Minor policy edits by staff may only be made in very limited circumstances.

Accreditation Actions

The Board took action on a number of institutional cases. See November 2025 accreditation actions.

HLC Audit

The Board received and accepted the independent auditor’s report for fiscal year 2025. A copy of the audit may be requested by contacting [email protected]. 

Next Board Meeting

The Board’s next meeting will take place February 26–27, 2026. See the full schedule of upcoming Board meetings.