Teach-Out, Pathway and Risk Indicator Policy Changes Adopted 

HLC’s Board of Trustees took the following policy and accreditation actions at its meeting on February 27, 2025. 

Proposed Policy Changes: Tell HLC What You Think 

The Board approved the following proposed policy changes on first reading. Member institutions, peer reviewers and other stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on these proposals before the Board considers them for adoption at its meeting on June 26–27, 2025. 

Submit your comments about the proposed changes to [email protected] by May 12, 2025. 

• Administrative Probation 
  The proposal would clarify the purpose and process for Administrative Probation, as well as other aspects of HLC’s Obligations of Membership. 
• Seeking Accreditation Reviewers 
  The proposal would change the name of peer reviewers designated by the Board to conduct certain reviews for institutions seeking accreditation from “Eligibility Reviewers” to “Seeking Accreditation Reviews.” The proposed changes would also clarify other aspects of the Eligibility Process. 

Adopted Policy Changes 

The Board adopted the following changes on second reading. 

• Open Pathway Evaluative Activities (effective September 1, 2025) 
  The adopted changes establish an option for eligible institutions on the Open Pathway to choose to complete a Quality Initiative focused on student success during Years 1–4 of the accreditation cycle in lieu of the mid-cycle Assurance Review in Year 4. The changes also clarify certain other practices related to the Standard and Open Pathways. 
• Student Success Outcomes: Data Collection and Indicator Follow-Up (effective immediately) 
  The adopted policy changes 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 New and Improved Resources for Institutions for additional information about student success indicators. 
• Teach-Out Arrangements (effective immediately) 
  The adopted policy changes clarify HLC’s requirements regarding teach-out arrangements. The changes better align HLC’s policies with regulatory requirements, while continuing to be focused on student needs. In conjunction, HLC also published new and updated resources for institutions related to teach-out arrangements. See New and Improved Resources for Institutions for additional information. 
• Special Monitoring (effective immediately) 
  The adopted policy changes establish special monitoring reports as a possible method for HLC to respond quickly to a developing situation at a member institution. They also clarify HLC’s practices with respect to institutional designations and special monitoring generally. 

Accreditation Actions  

The Board took action on a number of institutional cases. See February 2025 Accreditation Actions. 

Next Board Meeting  

The Board’s next meeting will be held June 26–27, 2025. See the Board of Trustee’s calendar for additional meeting dates.