Ensuring compliance in higher education proves essential for maintaining institutional integrity, protecting students and faculty, and adhering to regulatory requirements. Universities and colleges must navigate complex legal and ethical standards, from Title IX and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to financial aid regulations and workplace safety.
Implementing an effective compliance training program overseen by a compliance officer helps institutions stay ahead of evolving policies while fostering a culture of accountability.
Illustrating a consistent commitment to compliance is easier said than done. The standards for compliance in places of higher education are a constantly moving target. Compliance programs also require a lot of time, resources, and collaboration to integrate into your operations.
Forming a compliance committee certainly helps, but without proper support, the team won’t be able to do their jobs effectively. Boards have to provide training to maintain collective knowledge of the latest laws.
With the amount of options on the market, it can be tough to know which solutions are most worthwhile. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the 3 best resources for higher education compliance training.
Overview: Higher Education Compliance Training
For a school to be fully compliant in all departments, it must adhere to the various requirements that define how these institutions should operate. Investing in your compliance program is crucial to protecting the organization’s reputation, maintaining ethical standards, and providing a healthy level of transparency. Federal and state regulations aren’t the only standards that must be upheld. Universities also have to take note of other compliance-related issues such as:
- Financial aid distribution
- Providing accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Faculty credentialing standards
- Title IX regulations
- FERPA guidelines
- Workplace ethics
A strong compliance program requires consistent oversight and collaboration between the board of directors and other senior department leads. Using a compliance committee agenda helps greatly to keep everyone on the same page during strategic meetings.
Higher education compliance requirements include the hiring of a compliance manager, conducting routine audits, training, reviewing current standards, and continuous monitoring.
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Higher Education Compliance Training Programs
Resources boards can leverage to improve their compliance awareness include the following:
1. Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges offers several online courses and in-person events to teach aspiring and current board members how to fulfill their fiduciary duties and achieve compliance. Here is a rundown of their main services:
- Board member orientation: This is an introductory program to educate or refresh board members on their responsibilities and how to contribute to a positive boardroom culture. The course has separate tracks for members of public institutions, independent institutions, institutionally related foundations, Catholic colleges and universities, and community colleges.
- Peer-to-peer conversations: The organization offers international networking forums between AGB staff and other paying members.
- Webinars: Learn from live or recorded presentations where board professionals discuss important compliance topics.
- Ask the expert: Take part in Q&A sessions with AGB experts and other participants. Gatherings are capped at 20 people to encourage healthy engagement.
Members receive access to exclusive content, resources, and tools for governance, as well as discounted rates for AGB events. The cost of a membership varies depending on the size of your board.
2. National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
The National Association for College Admission Counseling offers resources to teach admission professionals about the nuances of the job and the skills they need to provide the right support to their students. They also provide research and reports to add further context to various topics, including a Compliance Center that presents basic information about federal laws and regulations pertaining to higher education administrators.
The NACAC offers several different membership options. Organizational memberships provide access to NACAC resources for all professionals working at an institution, and range in cost from $555 to $1,125. Individual memberships allow independent or unattached educators to experience NACAC benefits for $235.
3. Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The Higher Learning Commission grants accreditation to degree-granting colleges and universities. The organization offers workshops, training programs, and conferences to address leading areas of concern in higher ed.
To maintain accreditation, higher learning institutions must maintain compliance with Title IV and other regulations. HLC conducts federal compliance reviews prior to accreditation as well as at various points throughout the accreditation relationship. The application fee for accreditation is $6,700.
Achieving Your Compliance Goals With OnBoard
Navigating higher education compliance requires staying on top of evolving regulations. Effective training programs, such as those offered by AGB, NACAC, and HLC, provide the knowledge and resources necessary for maintaining compliance and fostering accountability across leadership teams.
Ensuring ongoing compliance requires more than just training. It demands strategic oversight, efficient communication, and well-documented decision-making. This is where OnBoard excels. As a comprehensive board management solution, OnBoard streamlines governance by enhancing meeting organization, document security, and collaboration among board members and compliance committees. With features like real-time agenda management, secure document sharing, and built-in analytics, OnBoard helps institutions stay aligned with compliance requirements while improving operational efficiency.
For leaders looking to strengthen their compliance efforts, investing in board management software like OnBoard can provide the structure and support needed to navigate the complexities of higher education governance.
Discover how OnBoard can help your institution achieve its compliance goals—start a free trial today.
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About The Author
- Josh Palmer serves as OnBoard's Head of Content. An experienced content creator, his previous roles have spanned numerous industries including B2C and B2B home improvement, healthcare, and software-as-a-service (SaaS). An Indianapolis native and graduate of Indiana University, Palmer currently resides in Fishers, Ind.
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