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Accountability Overview

In Fall 2018, the state’s college and university presidents working with ACHE and in collaboration with the legislative and gubernatorial leadership developed a series of measures that highlighted the efforts of the state’s colleges and universities. 
 

ACHE’s Responsibilities 

The Commission:

      • Approves new units of instruction.  This includes new institutions, mergers, branch campuses, colleges, schools, divisions and departments.
      • Approves any new academic programs.
      • Approves off-campus instruction.
      • Facilitates planning for higher education.  This includes developing a statewide plan.
      • Reviews and makes recommendations concerning existing programs.
      • Prepares a Consolidated Budget Recommendation to the Governor and the Legislature.
      • Collects and compiles information concerning higher education in the State.
      • Administers student assistance programs.
      • Conducts studies on higher education issues and makes recommendations to the institutions, the Legislature and the Governor concerning its findings.
      • Provides a state-level framework for institutions to respond cooperatively and individually to the needs of the citizens of the State.
      • Reviews institutional facilities masterplans and report to trustees and the Legislature.
      • Maintains an electronic student unit record system to provide accountability on student progress.
      • Oversight for the programmatic review of private and public institutions operating as foreign corporations in Alabama in accord with the regulatory authority assigned to the Commission by statute.
      • Serves as the state portal for Alabama’s participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

The Commission is not responsible for:

      • The appropriation or allocation of funds.
      • The termination of existing programs or existing units of instruction outside the program viability process.
      • The approval of new construction projects.
      • The establishment of tuition and fees.
      • Recommending/enforcing policies concerning enrollment parameters. This includes: setting enrollment caps; limiting the number of out-of-state students; setting residency requirements; or setting admission standards.
      • Setting faculty work loads or salaries.
      • The hiring and firing of personnel at the institutions.