Compliance ensures higher education institutions uphold academic integrity, protect students and staff, and maintain eligibility for federal funding. Failing to comply can lead to fines, loss of accreditation, and reputational damage.
Designating a compliance committee can help your college or university proactively monitor the complex regulatory landscape. University boards often implement sophisticated meeting software tools to allow committee members to collaborate and better manage compliance initiatives.
Higher Education Compliance: Why Does it Matter?
Compliance in the education sector involves meeting the legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements that govern how institutions operate. Much like any governing body, compliance is essential for protecting the institution’s reputation, embracing transparency, and upholding ethical standards for those they serve.
Examples of compliance requirements in education include ensuring proper financial aid distribution, providing accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meeting faculty credentialing standards, and adhering to federal laws and regulations.
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Higher Education Compliance Requirements
Meeting software enhances compliance in higher education by providing a digital record of discussions, decisions, and action items, making key documents easily accessible for review and audits.
It also strengthens collaboration across departments and streamlines decision-making. With AGB OnBoard’s compliance committee agenda, your team can personalize discussions and tailor meetings to fit your specific needs.
Your higher education board should consider the following compliance requirements:
1. Hire a Compliance Officer
As you begin the hiring process for a compliance officer, look for candidates with a solid understanding of state and federal laws, accreditation standards, and institutional policies. The process typically includes reviewing their experience with higher education compliance and overall understanding of the board of directors’ role in compliance.
2. Conduct Routine Compliance Audits
Routine compliance audits are important because they help institutions consistently follow legal and regulatory requirements.
These audits involve systematically reviewing institutional policies, procedures, and records to ensure adherence to applicable regulations and standards. Auditing is typically conducted by internal compliance officers or external auditors who specialize in higher education regulations.
3. Train Administrators and Educators
To ensure compliance, institutions must provide administrators and educators with targeted training programs that focus on regulations, policies, and legal requirements.
By using sophisticated meeting software, such as AGB OnBoard, you gain the flexibility to conduct training sessions in-person or remotely, while storing critical compliance documents in a central hub.
4. Review Common Compliance Standards
To maintain compliance in higher education, compliance managers should regularly assess common standards like Title IX, FERPA, and the Clery Act.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in federally funded education programs for students and employees.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, while giving parents and students the right to access these records.
The Clery Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose campus crime statistics, safety policies, and prevention efforts.
5. Monitor Evolving Cybersecurity Compliance Standards
Continuous network monitoring, incident response planning, and employee training are crucial for mitigating risks and maintaining compliance. An example of cybersecurity compliance may include implementing multi-factor authentication to access sensitive student data.
Institutions must implement strong access controls, encryption, and regular vulnerability assessments to safeguard their infrastructure. This includes the use of technology, such as internal networks, financial systems, and meeting software.
AGB OnBoard Powers Effective Higher Education Boards
Education compliance requirements help higher education institutions protect student data, maintain trust, and avoid legal penalties.
Regularly reviewing higher education compliance requirements empowers colleges and universities to stay ahead of regulatory changes, mitigate risks, and foster a culture of accountability.
AGB OnBoard supports your organization’s compliance efforts by providing secure, encrypted communication channels to protect sensitive data. By integrating OnBoard meeting software into your operations, you can streamline compliance processes and maintain a secure, trusted environment for all stakeholders.
Ready to learn more? Get in touch today for a free trial and discover how OnBoard can elevate board meetings.
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About The Author
- Adam Wire is a Content Marketing Manager at OnBoard who joined the company in 2021. A Ball State University graduate, Adam worked in various content marketing roles at Angi, USA Football, and Adult & Child Health following a 12-year career in newspapers. His favorite part of the job is problem-solving and helping teammates achieve their goals. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two dogs. He’s an avid sports fan and foodie who also enjoys lawn and yard work and running.
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