(Washington, DC) – Self-regulation of higher education through accreditation has been severely challenged during the past several years, and public confidence in accreditation must be enhanced, according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

"Strengthening public confidence in self-regulation leads to independence and leadership," said CHEA President Judith Eaton. "To achieve this, CHEA has launched a multi-year effort – the CHEA Initiative – with the goal of strengthening accreditation and thereby enhancing public confidence and trust in self-regulation, as well as recalibrating the relationship between government and accreditation in addressing higher education quality."

Eaton's remarks were delivered during a panel discussion of institutional accreditation, held on November 10 as part of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Annual Meeting in Chicago. Others participating on the panel included Gregory O'Brien, Vice Chair of CHEA's Board of Directors and President Emeritus of Argosy University, and Nancy Marlin, a member of CHEA's Board of Directors and Provost of San Diego State University.

"The CHEA Initiative is about the role of accreditation in maintaining autonomy, academic freedom and mission," Eaton stated. "It is about more than accreditation as a process. At its core, the CHEA Initiative is about institutional independence and leadership for academic quality, as well as accreditation."

"It is important that we maintain institutional leadership in regard to overseeing academic quality," Eaton said. "We now have competition; the passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) reflects a substantial growth of government oversight. Clearly, the federal government is moving closer to defining and judging academic quality."

Gregory O'Brien noted "We must fight complacency during the next two to three years, when the academic community expects a 'quiet period" following the passage of HEOA. In fact, there is an immediate need for

'national transparency' and a common language (not national standards) from institutions regarding self-regulation and the accreditation process."

Eaton pointed out "Skepticism abounds about the higher education and accreditation communities' commitment to accountability. We must accept that there is a legitimate role for the federal government in accountability. However, when it comes to academic quality, and accountability for assessments of institutions and programs, the academic community – not the federal government – should lead."

Nancy Marlin said "The pressing question facing us all is 'Who will make the academic quality decisions: government or the academy?'" She stressed the importance of ensuring that higher education self-review is of sufficient rigor and authority to discourage additional federal control and maintain the higher education community's leadership role in accreditation.

Strengthening accreditation "means institutions working with accreditors to address evidence of student learning and accreditation transparency," Eaton said. "This transparency and public accountability will, in turn, help to enhance public confidence and trust in accreditation. With all that is at stake, the CHEA Initiative is essential."

Commenting on accreditation and the CHEA Initiative, John D. Wiley, Chair of CHEA's Board of Directors and Chancellor Emeritus and Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated "We are pleased with the early response to CHEA's initiating this important national dialogue. Fewer conversations are of greater importance to higher education and our future."

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