The University System of Georgia (USG) is joining with several other public university systems to create a new agency to set quality standards for their schools. The Commission for Public Higher Education is a first-of-its-kind accreditation model for public higher education institutions designed to “offer high-quality, efficient services prioritizing academic excellence, student outcomes and achievement.
Officials from USG, Texas A&M, State University System of Florida, University of Tennessee System, University of North Carolina System and University of South Carolina System announced the creation of the commission late last week in a joint release.
“Our work with the Commission for Public Higher Education aims to keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation by focusing on high standards and real value for students and families,” said University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue. “Collaborating with neighboring states lets us put resources where they make the biggest difference, and I look forward to the success of an effort that increases accountability and drives meaningful innovation.”
According to the information released, accreditors assess higher education institutions’ quality by reviewing their programs, curricula and graduation rates, among other metrics. Colleges and universities must be accredited if they want their students to qualify for federal financial aid.
The Commission for Public Higher Education model will focus on academic excellence, student outcomes, process efficiency, and the pursuit of quality assurance for public postsecondary education, according to the information released late Thursday. “By establishing rigorous, transparent, and adaptable outcomes-based accreditation standards and practices, CPHE will ensure that colleges and universities meet and maintain academic quality and operational excellence on behalf of their students.”
Several months ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal Department of Education to overhaul the accreditation process for universities by reviewing existing accrediting agencies, suspending accreditation recognition for those deemed to have a poor performance, and recognizing new accreditors.
“I am proud to be joined by leaders of five other public university systems to establish an accreditor that will focus on ensuring institutions provide high-quality, high-value programs, use student data to drive decisions, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process,” said Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, State University System of Florida.
