Collins is a busy guy!:
Hoping to shield Iowa’s public universities from potential backlash to policy changes enacted by lawmakers, Republicans pushed forward a bill that would allow them to sue private entities that review the quality of colleges.
Republican lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a bill that would allow the state’s universities, community colleges and attorney general to sue an accreditor for any financial harm it suffers due to “adverse action taken against it” for following state laws that conflict with accrediting standards.
House Study Bill 57 would allow the institutions or attorney general to seek injunctive relief, liquidated damages, court costs and attorney fees.
The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full House Higher Education Committee.
The Iowa Legislature last year passed a law barring public universities from spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion-related (DEI) efforts, offices, staffers, training, or other resources not required for accreditation or by law. The law, which takes effect this summer, already has led to sweeping changes, including office closures, eliminated jobs and millions in reallocated funds.
While not specifically mentioned in the bill, opponents see it as an effort to shield Iowa colleges and universities from accreditation requirements as a result of the DEI changes.
Higher education advocates last year repeatedly cited accreditation standards in defending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives against legislative bans.
Most regional accrediting bodies have some sort of standard related to DEI. The Higher Learning Commission, for example, requires:
Many majors and disciplines, such as nursing and social work, also have their own accrediting bodies that conduct external reviews that confirm colleges and universities offer quality programs and services.
Each body has its own standards that each public and private college must meet to acquire and maintain accreditation. Without accreditation, colleges may have difficulty getting their degrees recognized by prospective employers or licensing boards, and students could have trouble accessing financial aid.
For a college’s students to receive federal financial aid like Pell grants or student loans, the college must be accredited, and accreditors themselves must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Keith Saunders, a lobbyist for the Iowa Board of Regents that governs Iowa’s three public universities, said the regents support the legislation.
“We believe as written, we can work with this and work with the attorney general and our accreditors,” Saunders told lawmakers during a subcommittee meeting.
Denise Ratham, representing the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on Iowa’s workforce and mental health services should their social work programs lose accreditation.
Keenan Crow, with LGBTQ advocacy group One Iowa, said the bill puts Iowa colleges and universities in a “a tipsy turvy situation” of focusing on following state law rather than adhering to professional standards free of political influence that assures they are offering high-quality programs and services.
“Just because we file a lawsuit doesn't mean that institution will not lose their accreditation in the process, and it certainly does not mean that lawsuit will be successful in the future,” Crow said. “The accrediting bodies are putting forth these standards because they are experts. They have a holistic view of what a good university needs to be in order to maintain that accreditation.”
Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, one of three lawmakers on the legislative panel, raised concerns the bill would put public colleges and universities at a competitive disadvantage to private colleges and universities, which are not subject to the legislation.
Wilburn also questioned how the state can prevent a national accrediting body that’s not a government agency from enforcing its own professional or national standards.
Wilburn declined to advance the bill. Republican Reps. Taylor Collins, or Mediapolis, and John Wills, of Spirit Lake, voted to move it forward.
Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis. 2023 Iowa Legislature
Collins, who chairs the House Higher Education Committee, said the bill is necessary due to regional accreditors penalizing other states for policy changes.
After the University of Florida blocked faculty members from testifying in a voting rights lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges launched an investigation. The accreditor also notified the University of North Carolina in spring 2023 that it was under scrutiny after its board of trustees appeared to be developing a new academic curriculum without faculty input.
“I think it's just important that the legislature assert the authority that we have as the ultimate say, not out-of-state, unelected, unaccountable, institutional creditors,” Collins told reporters.
He did not specify which state laws he wants to make sure universities can enforce, and said he is unaware of specific issues or threats of accreditation withdrawal at Iowa campuses.
“But it doesn't mean it isn’t going to be an issue that is going to be a future problem, and I think that's why you saw the Board of Regents and the universities register in support of the bill,” Collins said.
www.thegazette.com
Hoping to shield Iowa’s public universities from potential backlash to policy changes enacted by lawmakers, Republicans pushed forward a bill that would allow them to sue private entities that review the quality of colleges.
Republican lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a bill that would allow the state’s universities, community colleges and attorney general to sue an accreditor for any financial harm it suffers due to “adverse action taken against it” for following state laws that conflict with accrediting standards.
House Study Bill 57 would allow the institutions or attorney general to seek injunctive relief, liquidated damages, court costs and attorney fees.
The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full House Higher Education Committee.
The Iowa Legislature last year passed a law barring public universities from spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion-related (DEI) efforts, offices, staffers, training, or other resources not required for accreditation or by law. The law, which takes effect this summer, already has led to sweeping changes, including office closures, eliminated jobs and millions in reallocated funds.
While not specifically mentioned in the bill, opponents see it as an effort to shield Iowa colleges and universities from accreditation requirements as a result of the DEI changes.
Higher education advocates last year repeatedly cited accreditation standards in defending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives against legislative bans.
Most regional accrediting bodies have some sort of standard related to DEI. The Higher Learning Commission, for example, requires:
- The institution encourages curricular or cocurricular activities that prepare students for informed citizenship and workplace success.
- The institution’s processes and activities demonstrate inclusive and equitable treatment of diverse populations.
- The institution fosters a climate of respect among all students, faculty, staff and administrators from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.
Many majors and disciplines, such as nursing and social work, also have their own accrediting bodies that conduct external reviews that confirm colleges and universities offer quality programs and services.
Each body has its own standards that each public and private college must meet to acquire and maintain accreditation. Without accreditation, colleges may have difficulty getting their degrees recognized by prospective employers or licensing boards, and students could have trouble accessing financial aid.
For a college’s students to receive federal financial aid like Pell grants or student loans, the college must be accredited, and accreditors themselves must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Keith Saunders, a lobbyist for the Iowa Board of Regents that governs Iowa’s three public universities, said the regents support the legislation.
“We believe as written, we can work with this and work with the attorney general and our accreditors,” Saunders told lawmakers during a subcommittee meeting.
Denise Ratham, representing the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on Iowa’s workforce and mental health services should their social work programs lose accreditation.
Keenan Crow, with LGBTQ advocacy group One Iowa, said the bill puts Iowa colleges and universities in a “a tipsy turvy situation” of focusing on following state law rather than adhering to professional standards free of political influence that assures they are offering high-quality programs and services.
“Just because we file a lawsuit doesn't mean that institution will not lose their accreditation in the process, and it certainly does not mean that lawsuit will be successful in the future,” Crow said. “The accrediting bodies are putting forth these standards because they are experts. They have a holistic view of what a good university needs to be in order to maintain that accreditation.”
Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, one of three lawmakers on the legislative panel, raised concerns the bill would put public colleges and universities at a competitive disadvantage to private colleges and universities, which are not subject to the legislation.
Wilburn also questioned how the state can prevent a national accrediting body that’s not a government agency from enforcing its own professional or national standards.
Wilburn declined to advance the bill. Republican Reps. Taylor Collins, or Mediapolis, and John Wills, of Spirit Lake, voted to move it forward.
Collins, who chairs the House Higher Education Committee, said the bill is necessary due to regional accreditors penalizing other states for policy changes.
After the University of Florida blocked faculty members from testifying in a voting rights lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges launched an investigation. The accreditor also notified the University of North Carolina in spring 2023 that it was under scrutiny after its board of trustees appeared to be developing a new academic curriculum without faculty input.
“I think it's just important that the legislature assert the authority that we have as the ultimate say, not out-of-state, unelected, unaccountable, institutional creditors,” Collins told reporters.
He did not specify which state laws he wants to make sure universities can enforce, and said he is unaware of specific issues or threats of accreditation withdrawal at Iowa campuses.
“But it doesn't mean it isn’t going to be an issue that is going to be a future problem, and I think that's why you saw the Board of Regents and the universities register in support of the bill,” Collins said.
Bill would allow Iowa to sue private entities that review quality of colleges
Hoping to shield Iowa’s public universities from potential backlash to policy changes enacted by lawmakers, Republicans pushed forward a bill that would allow them to sue private entities that review the quality of colleges.
www.thegazette.com
