Advocacy and Higher Education Policy Update

HLC’s Statement on Its Relationship Within the Triad 

HLC has developed a statement on its Relationship Within the Triad to explain the shared oversight and the interconnected higher education environment in the United States. In particular, HLC notes in its statement that: 

“The college or university’s mission is central to HLC’s accreditation and assurance of academic quality. In determining whether institutions meet HLC requirements, HLC considers the institution’s mission. An accredited institution demonstrates how it meets HLC requirements through a mission-reflective lens.” 

It also states:  

“HLC does not prescribe how a member institution meets HLC’s requirements. If a requirement of another entity of the Triad may appear to limit an institution’s ability to meet HLC’s requirements in a particular manner, an institution has the flexibility within HLC’s requirements to identify other ways to demonstrate it meets HLC’s requirements.” 

D.C. Transition  

President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, was confirmed by the Senate in early March. HLC sent a letter congratulating Secretary McMahon, sharing accreditation’s value, and suggesting areas for regulatory revision.  

President Trump has signed several Executive Orders and Actions impacting higher education. Issues include diversity, equity, and inclusion, campus antisemitism, immigration, Title IX, university endowments, federal research grants to institutions, and many others. A great resource for keeping up to date on the Executive Orders, is this summary by the American Council on Education.

HLC will monitor these issues through our contacts in the Triad and at higher ed organizations. As details emerge, we will keep you informed. 

U.S. Department of Education  

On February 14 the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to institutions of higher education “explaining legal requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution,” including as related the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA). On February 28, the Office of Civil Rights provided a related Frequently Asked Questions About Racial Preferences and Stereotypes Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 

HLC has signed letters from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC) responding to the DCL. The letters request further engagement with ED to more fully understand the goals of the DCL.  

Congress 

Outreach 

HLC sent letters to the Members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce to congratulate them on their appointments, highlighting HLC’s value and initiatives, and inviting further engagement. New congressional members, staffers and ED staffers have received invitations to subscribe to the Leaflet so they can receive regular information about HLC accreditation policy and practice.  

Budget and Appropriations    

Congress passed a continuing resolution in December 2024 that will fund the federal government until March 14, 2025. Congress will have to consider appropriations or a new continuing resolution by then to keep the government from shutting down.  

Questions?   

Contact [email protected].