University of Alaska to Eliminate Programs, Study Consolidating Separately Accredited Universities

HEADLINES

U. of Alaska to Eliminate Nearly 40 Academic Programs (Chronicle of Higher Education [subscription required], June 5, 2020) “The University of Alaska's Board of Regents voted on Friday to eliminate 39 academic departments and reduce or merge five more.The decision came one day after the board voted to move ahead with a study of whether to consolidate its three separately accredited universities into two. Accreditation requirements call for multiyear 'teachout' plans to allow students majoring in the aff​ected programs to complete their degrees.”

Michael A. McDowell: The Epicemic and Higher Education (The Times Leader [Pennsylvania], June 6, 2020) “The National Association of Scholars, an advocate for changes that would force higher education to become worthier recipients of financial support, has several suggestions. Because the Department of Education regulates the accreditation of all colleges and universities, they could require that the credits that students earn in one institution transfer to another seamlessly. As it now stands money and time are wasted by students who find they must repeat courses.”

Bennett College to Host Evaluation Team from Potential New Accreditor Pandemic (News & Record [North Carolina], June 5, 2020) “A team from a national higher education accrediting agency in Virginia will visit the Bennett College campus later this month as the private women’s school seeks permanent membership. Bennett said this week that it will host an evaluation team from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools on June 23-26. Bennett is seeking accreditation from TRACS after being in limbo with its longtime accrediting agency for the past year and a half.”

Northeast Accreditor Announces New Leader (Inside Higher Ed, June 4, 2020) “Oglethorpe University president Lawrence Schall will succeed Barbara Brittingham at the New England Commission of Higher Education.”