The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities shall notify the Department of Education, the appropriate State postsecondary review entity, the appropriate accrediting agencies, and the public of these types of decisions within thirty (30) days of any action taken.

Providing Information to the Department of Education Regarding an Institution’s Failure to Comply with its Title IV Responsibilities or Engagement in Fraud or Abuse

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities shall provide to the Department of Education the name of any institution accredited by the Commission that it has reason to believe is failing to meet its Title IV, HEA program responsibilities or is engaged in fraud or abuse.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities shall provide, upon the request of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, information it possesses regarding an accredited or preaccredited institution’s compliance with its Title IV, HEA program responsibilities, including its eligibility to participate in Title IV, HEA programs, for the purpose of assisting the Secretary in resolving problems with the institution’s participation in these programs.

Notification to U.S. Department of Education of Commission Action on Institutions Under Negative Sanction by Other Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Under no circumstances shall the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities take an accrediting action on an institution that is under an interim action by its respective state or has been notified that its licensure is threatened. If the Commission did grant initial or continued accreditation under the conditions outlined in 34 CFR 602.28(b), it would provide the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education within 30 days with a thorough explanation, consistent with its accreditation standards, as to why the previous action by a recognized institutional accrediting agency or the State does not preclude the agency’s granting of accreditation or preaccreditation.

Providing Information to the Department of Education Regarding Changes in Its Policies, Procedures or Accreditation Standards

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities shall provide the Department of Education information regarding any proposed changes in its policies, procedures, or accreditation standards that might alter its scope of recognition or its compliance with recognition requirements.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities shall notify the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, the appropriate State postsecondary review entity, the appropriate accrediting agencies, and the public of the following types of decisions:

A final decision by the Commission to award initial accreditation or preaccreditation to an institution.

A final decision by the Commission to deny, withdraw, suspend, or terminate the accreditation or preaccreditation of an institution.

A final decision by the Commission to place an institution on Probation or issue a Show-Cause order.

A decision by an accredited institution to withdraw voluntarily from accreditation or from preaccreditation status.

A decision by an accredited institution to let its accreditation or preaccreditation lapse.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities shall notify the Department of Education, the appropriate State postsecondary review entity, the appropriate accrediting agencies, and the public of these types of decisions within thirty (30) days of any action taken.