Draft rule would require schools to notify students, recent graduates when accreditors change; negotiators debate five‑year window

The AIM committee discussed a proposed regulatory requirement that institutions disclose any change of accreditor on their websites within 10 business days and make reasonable efforts to notify all current students and graduates from the prior five years.

"We added the new language on credit transfer evaluation and disclosures at the suggestion of negotiators...and it's the addition of a requirement that an institution publicly disclose within 10 business days on its website and make reasonable efforts to notify all current students and graduates within the prior 5 years of any change, of an accreditor," the federal negotiator summarized during the walkthrough. (Jeff Andrade)

Student representatives said recent graduates face real consequences in the labor market and need notice. "Changes to accreditation are a pretty opaque process...it is important that schools...make their best effort to communicate with recent graduates so they may be better prepared to answer those questions as they move into the workforce," said a negotiator representing students. (Magnus Noble)

Institutional representatives pushed back on the five‑year window as potentially costly and burdensome, arguing institutions may not have contact information and that the requirement could increase administrative costs. "If we're trying to drive down costs, we shouldn't be increasing administrative burden on institutions," one negotiator said. (Mark Becker)

Department staff acknowledged the five‑year choice was a drafting decision and said they were open to discussion and would take comments back to proposers. The committee did not finalize the provision; staff asked negotiators to flag whether the provision would be a showstopper and to submit suggested language for consideration.

The session moved to caucuses and additional drafting work on this point.