U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission
HEADLINES
Ed Dept Takes Aim at HLC Over Art Institutes Accreditation Dispute (Education Dive, July 6, 2020) "A recent U.S. Department of Education staff report takes aim at the Higher Learning Commission, alleging the regional accreditor didn't follow its own rules when notifying schools about their accreditation status during a change of ownership."
Three Colleges to Acquire U of Bridgeport (Inside Higher Ed, July 2, 2020) “Three Connecticut colleges announced a plan to acquire parts of the University of Bridgeport and to turn the existing Bridgeport campus into one ‘University Park.’ Private, nonprofit Goodwin University and Sacred Heart University, along with the for-profit Paier College of Art, will acquire Bridgeport’s assets over a still-to-be-determined period of time. Stephen Healey, Bridgeport’s interim president, said the entire process will likely take between 12 and 18 months. John Petillo, Sacred Heart’s president, said the arrangement hinges on special accreditation for programs that will transfer.”
Ten Ways Congress Can Ensure Accountability in COVID-19 Relief for Higher Education (Third Way, June 30, 2020) "Among the ten ideas policymakers should consider as they look to provide greater financial support: Use accreditation to smooth credit transfer, hold accreditors accountable for how well their schools are serving students and require accreditors to use common definitions to ensure quality in online learning."
Major DeVos Overhaul of Higher Education Takes Effect Today (Politico "Morning Education" [after opening link scroll down page to see item], July 1, 2020) "Taking effect is DeVos’ new rule governing college accreditation. The policy eases some of the requirements that college accreditors must meet in order to obtain federal recognition, an important status that enables the colleges they accredit to be eligible for federal student aid.”
Caribbean Roots Educator Named President of a City University of New York College (News America, June 29, 2020) "Dr. Anthony E. Munroe will serve as president of the Borough of Manhattan Community College effective October 1, the Board of Trustees of the City University of New Your announced. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).”
DeSantis Kills Online Learning Program Amid Virus Resurgence (Politico, June 30, 2020) "With a stroke of his veto pen, Governor Ron DeSantis wiped out the entire $29.4 million budget for a suite of online education services that have become critical to students and faculty during the COVID-19 outbreak. At least 2,000 adult learners could be cut off from their scholarships and school accreditation could even be at risk without the resources housed under Complete Florida, which are used by students at high schools, state colleges and universities.”
Introducing Dallas College: DCCCD Gets Single Accreditation Approval (Dallas Innovates, June 29, 2020) "Dallas County Community College District is now allowed to unify as a single institution named Dallas College."
Maine Universities Will Now Share Accreditation, An Idea They've Had Since 1968 (Bangor Daily News, June 26, 2020) "The regional organization that evaluates whether colleges and universities are meeting basic quality standards has for the first time voted to accredit the University of Maine System as a collective entity rather than evaluating each of its seven universities separately.”