The decision to revoke a distance education waiver at any time remains solely within HLC's discretion. Institutions must continue to meet all HLC's expectations related to the conduct of distance education, including requirements for regular and substantive interaction between faculty and students. Once the public health emergency is no longer present, institutions are required, no later than the end of the applicable academic term, to operate within the distance education stipulations that were in effect immediately preceding the issuance of the waiver. If required by HLC, institutions must provide HLC with ongoing updates to ensure any waiver of distance education approvals remains effective for the time period required. All waivers are granted for a specified time period. Institutions are also required to notify HLC in a timely fashion of any decision to resume on-ground instruction or operations. Institutions are required to follow HLC's process for seeking such waiver as communicated by HLC. Waivers will be made available to institutions regardless of their status as an accredited institution or a candidate. Institutions must affirmatively seek a waiver from HLC for this purpose, which is granted at HLC's discretion. Distance Education WaiversĪs authorized by the USDE March 5 Guidance, HLC may temporarily allow institutions to initiate or expand distance education beyond the extent of their current approvals, solely to accommodate interruptions in study related to COVID-19. Department of Education on May 15, 2020, HLC extends the effective period articulated in such documents through December 31, 2020, with the limitations provided in this policy. Department of Education related to COVID-19, including, for example, the Guidance for Interruptions of Study Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) issued on Maand as periodically updated (“USDE March 5 Guidance”), and Information for Accrediting Agencies Regarding Temporary Flexibilities Provided to Coronavirus Impacted Institutions or Accrediting Agencies issued on Maand as periodically updated (“USDE March 17 Guidance”).

Due to the exigent circumstances surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has adopted a temporary emergency policy designed to allow the agency to implement, when appropriate, certain flexibilities afforded the President by the HLC Board of Trustees as well as flexibilities permitted based on significant documents issued by the U.S.

A Temporary Situation by H.L. Day