A new college accrediting agency, the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), is being established by public university systems in several southern states. Despite its stated goal of being a non-ideological alternative focused on student success, its launch has been met with significant concern from faculty members due to its promotion by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The commission, which originated from discussions within the University of North Carolina system, has secured $4 million in initial funding from the state of Florida. It aims to streamline the accreditation process and has recently finalized its standards after a public comment period.
Key Takeaways
- The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) is a new accrediting body formed by public universities in southern states.
- It aims to offer a non-ideological, streamlined alternative to existing accreditors, focusing on student outcomes.
- Florida has provided $4 million in funding, and Governor Ron DeSantis has been its most prominent public advocate.
- Faculty groups have expressed concern that the CPHE could be used to exert political control over higher education.
- The commission is preparing to launch a two-year pilot program with 10 universities to test its standards and processes.
Formation and Stated Mission
The concept for the CPHE was developed by officials at the University of North Carolina system in collaboration with administrators from five other southern states. The organization's stated purpose is to create an innovative and efficient alternative to traditional accrediting bodies, which are responsible for quality assurance and access to federal financial aid.
Cameron Howell, who is helping to establish the commission, stated that the group's objective is clear. "We want streamlined processes, strong results, a focus on student success, and I think that that speaks for itself," Howell said in an interview. The commission seeks to move away from what some critics of existing accreditors describe as overly bureaucratic procedures.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a peer-review process that ensures colleges and universities meet acceptable levels of quality. Recognized accrediting agencies are considered gatekeepers for federal student aid, meaning institutions must be accredited to receive funds from programs like Pell Grants and federal student loans.
The new agency has appointed Mark P. Becker as the chair of its board of directors. Becker is the former president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and is known for his work at Georgia State University to improve student completion rates. He emphasized his commitment to a non-partisan approach.
"My experience with accreditation is, while there were good outcomes it was very expensive," Becker said. "It was a lot about bean-counting and not very much about, actually, student outcomes."
Political Association and Faculty Concerns
Despite the commission's claims of being non-ideological, its public introduction by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has generated significant apprehension. At a June press conference, DeSantis criticized existing accreditors, referring to them as "the woke accreditation cartels." This framing has led many faculty members and accountability experts to worry about the commission's potential for political influence.
Wade Maki, chair of the UNC Faculty Assembly, said the involvement of DeSantis has "terrified faculty." These concerns are heightened by recent actions in Florida, including a state-led overhaul of New College of Florida and laws that restrict teaching on topics of race and gender.
By the Numbers
- $4 million: The amount of funding provided by Florida to support the CPHE's operations.
- 118: The number of different groups and individuals who submitted comments on the commission's draft standards.
- 500+ pages: The total volume of public comments received by the commission.
- 10 universities: The initial group that will participate in a two-year pilot of the CPHE's standards.
Faculty unions have also voiced strong opposition. A news release from two Florida-based unions described the CPHE as "the state’s latest attempt to exert top-down control over what faculty can teach and what students are allowed to learn." The American Association of University Professors is also organizing against the commission, warning that it is dominated by conservative politicians.
Developing New Accreditation Standards
The CPHE recently finalized its standards after a review process that included feedback from dozens of organizations. Many of the approved standards cover traditional areas required by federal law, such as academic quality, faculty qualifications, and fiscal stability.
Key Standard Modifications
Some of the commission's standards have been specifically modified in response to contemporary political debates in higher education. For example:
- A standard on "viewpoint diversity" was renamed "intellectual diversity." Howell explained that the term "intellectual" was chosen to better reflect a range of academic theories rather than personal opinions.
- A standard on institutional governance was revised to focus on general principles of good governance and the protection of academic freedom from "undue external influence." This came after conservative groups like the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) argued for removing governance standards entirely.
- Language that would have required institutions to give precedence to state law over accreditation standards was removed from the main document. Howell stated this issue would be addressed in a separate policy and procedures document.
However, some established accreditors have criticized the new standards. Heather F. Perfetti, president of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, suggested the standards may be too broad and lack clarity on how colleges can demonstrate compliance. Howell acknowledged this criticism, noting that the commission intends to release more detailed guidance documents later.
Next Steps and Future Outlook
The CPHE is now focused on becoming fully operational. The commission is expected to soon announce the 10 public universities that will participate in its two-year pilot program, a critical step toward gaining federal recognition. Public records indicate that Florida Atlantic University and the Texas A&M campuses at Kingsville and Texarkana will be part of this initial cohort.
The organization must also recruit and train peer reviewers and appoint public members to its board. Overcoming the perception of political bias remains its largest challenge. According to Maki, the UNC faculty leader, the commission's success will depend on its ability to function as a minimalist accreditor that avoids political agendas.
Some experts remain skeptical. Antoinette Flores, a director at the think tank New America, expressed doubts about the commission's ability to achieve its ambitious goals within its proposed timeline. "Something will come out of it," Flores said, "with the potential for something serious, but in the current form as it is portrayed — I don’t think so."
Dan Harrison, a key figure in the commission's formation from the University of North Carolina system, urged observers to wait and see. "If folks will allow this process to play out and judge us by the folks that we associate with through board appointments and through our institutional membership," he said, "I think they’re largely going to be pleased."