Accreditation through CPHE
Dear Colleagues,
Many of you may be aware of the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a recently formed accrediting body developed by and for public universities, including those in the UNC System. Over the past several months, UNC Charlotte has been actively engaged in opportunities to learn more about the commission and the role it could play in the future of public higher education.
We invited Wade Maki, chair of the UNC System Faculty Assembly, and Dan Harrison, vice president of academic affairs for the System, to campus to share perspectives on CPHE’s development and to answer questions from faculty and staff. Additionally, members of the UNC System’s Faculty Assembly are part of a multi-system group, Faculty for Responsible Education and Accreditation, that has provided feedback on CPHE’s draft standards and plans to continue to engage as the organization evolves.
Staff in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics, who lead our current accreditation process, have also contributed to a working group shaping CPHE’s standards, and the commission has committed to including faculty representation on future peer review committees.
As part of our ongoing engagement, UNC Charlotte has submitted a letter of intent to seek accreditation through CPHE. This first step begins a multi-year process to better understand CPHE’s structure, standards and long-term implications for the University. Our accreditation has not changed. UNC Charlotte remains fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Why we are exploring accreditation
CPHE was created to develop an accreditation model tailored to public universities — one that emphasizes shared governance, peer review by faculty and administrators, and processes focused on student outcomes and institutional improvement. We believe it is important to be part of these early conversations to ensure the needs of institutions like ours are represented.
We are also encouraged by the involvement of respected higher education leaders such as Mark Becker, former president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and former president of Georgia State University, who serves on CPHE’s board. His participation lends credibility to the commission’s goals and underscores its potential to be a strong accreditor for public institutions.
It is important to note that participation in CPHE relates specifically to institutional accreditation, which ensures the University remains eligible to receive and distribute federal financial aid. It does not affect the specialized accreditations held by individual programs, colleges or departments.
Guidelines and next steps
As we move forward, we have outlined what we believe needs to occur for CPHE to be a viable accreditor for UNC Charlotte. Transparency, shared governance, academic freedom and political neutrality should be central to its approach. We will continue to engage directly with CPHE to ensure these guidelines are in place.
Our goal is to stay engaged, learn from the process and represent our University’s interests thoughtfully. If CPHE fulfills its stated intent of creating an efficient, outcomes-focused model that reflects the realities of public higher education, it will serve us well. If it does not, we have the ability to reassess our inclusion.
Our priority will always remain the integrity of our academic programs, the success of our students and the trust placed in UNC Charlotte by the public we serve.
We will provide periodic updates as the process moves forward. In the meantime, please know how much we appreciate your continued commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service to our University.
Should you have any questions, please consult this FAQ or reach out directly to the Provost’s Office.
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor
Jennifer Troyer
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs