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The Legal Basis for Degree-Granting Authority in the United States
Alan L. Contreras, October, 2009
This paper discusses the three methods (federal, state, and tribal) through which an institution can obtain degree-granting authority in the United States. Given the frequency and dominance of state actions in this area, the paper focuses primarily on degree authority granted by states by charter or other state action and discusses legal cases that have arisen from disputes over the acquisition of degree-granting authority.

It also discusses the relationship between states, accreditors, and the federal government with regard to degree-granting authority. The degree mill problem is discussed briefly, with reference to more detailed studies. The problem of religious exemptions is discussed, as are the unique degree-authority issues facing California and that state's response.

Recommendations for good practices in states are included.
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Statement on Roles and Responsibilities in Student Learning and Accreditation: Views from the SHEEOs
May 23, 2007
This brief statement outlines SHEEO views of the roles of accreditation, the assessment of college learning, and the transfer of credits across institutions--issues prominent in the current federal negotiations on accreditation rules and of significant concern to states and SHEEO members.
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Issue Priorities and Trends in State Higher Education
by Tricia Coulter, May 2003, $5.00, DocID: 27050
The most current release of the periodic survey sent to members about the most important higher education issues of the day. Surveys were sent in 2002 to the chief executive officers of statewide coordinating and governing boards in the 50 states. SHEEOs were asked to rate the importance of various higher education issues in their states and to comment on changes over the past three years. This report presents the findings of that survey.
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Leading Higher Education in an Era of Rapid Change
by James J. Duderstadt, July 2001
Presented at the SHEEO Annual Meeting in 2001, James Duderstadt, President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, relays his ideas on the impacts of change and its effects on higher education.
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Issue Priorities and Trends in State Higher Education
by Alene Bycer Russell, January 2000, $12.00, DocID: 26470
Since the late 1980s, SHEEO has periodically surveyed its members about the most important higher education issues of the day. In October 1999, surveys were sent to the chief executive officers of statewide coordinating and governing boards in the 50 states. SHEEOs were asked to rate the importance of various higher education issues in their states and to comment on changes over the past five years. This report presents the findings of that survey.
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Deregulation of State-Level Academic Program Policies
by Rhonda Martin Epper, January 1999, $10.00, DocID: 26144
Deregulation of State-Level Academic Program Policies stems from meetings held during August 1998 in which SHEEO executives and academic officers discussed future directions for academic program approval and review. The report describes some of the creative steps states are taking to renew and streamline program approval and review so that these processes are less bureaucratic and burdensome to institutions. Among the changes described are: (1) shifting from input to outcome criteria; (2) taking a more proactive and collaborative role in program development; (3) strengthening the decision role exercised by campus boards; and (4) deregulating the distance learning approval process.

Trends in State Coordination and Governance: Historical and Current Perspectives
by Rhonda Martin Epper and Alene Bycer Russell, October 1996, $15.00, DocID: 17396
Today the roles and functions of state boards of higher education have expanded beyond those authorized by statute. Many are expected to set a vision and to lead institutional change. The decade of the 1990s has brought a new era of "entrepreneurship" for state coordinating a and governing boards, and these boards are embracing the new challenges.

Based on a 1995-96 SHEEO survey of members, this report analyzes historical trends in state coordination, based on over twenty years of data compiled from a variety of existing data sources on appropriations to SHEEO agencies, appropriations to higher education in general, SHEEO staffing patterns, and enrollments. Section Two discusses the emerging issues of highest priority to SHEEOs with comparison to previous surveys. The third section examines the importance of different functional areas within SHEEO agencies. The final section analyzes the influence of various constituencies on board priorities, and discusses the new policy leadership roles of state boards as described by the SHEEOs themselves. Two appendices present the study methodology and the survey instrument.

Restructuring in Virginia: A Case in Point
by Margaret A. Miller, September 1995, $10.00, DocID: 26878
In 1993, after three years of general-fund budget cuts to Virginia public higher education, the State Council of Higher Education issued its first explicit call for the restructuring of public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. In this report the author describes the process used to develop the institutional restructuring plans; the nature of those plans; the anticipated financial benefits; and the ways in which the plans might be made to dovetail with other processes such as program approval, productivity review, student outcomes assessment, indicators, enrollment projections, and operative and capital outlay budget review. Miller also raises the question of the role of the SHEEO agency and how it can serve as an agent of change.

The Case for Coordinated Systems of Higher Education
by James R Mingle, September 1995, No Cost, DocID: 26896
James Mingle presents four strategic assets, along with a discussion of strategic weaknesses and how to overcome them, in his advocacy of coordinated systems of higher education.
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Standard Setting and Financing in Postsecondary Education: Eight Recommendations for Change in Federal and State Policies
by Arthur M. Hauptman and James R. Mingle, November 1994, $15.00, DocID: 13865
This report examines how the quality control policies of the federal government, the states, and accrediting bodies can be improved. The authors then consider ways to link standard setting and financing methods for three different types of postsecondary education and training: basic skills remediation, non-degree vocational skills acquisition, and degree-granting programs.

Board Effectiveness: What Is It?
A presentation by T. Edward Hollander, August 1994, $5.00, DocID: 13577
Hollander, SHEEO Emeritus and former chancellor of the New Jersey Department of Higher Education, lays out the principles and qualities of an effective coordinating board. Based on his experience in New Jersey, this is a thoughtful and concise piece, a must-read for board members.

A Conversation with State Higher Education Executive Officers: New Issues - New Roles
Patrick M. Callan, James R. Mingle, and all panel participants cited in the Publication, January 1989, $10.00, DocID: 27478
In July 1988, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) and the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) decided to bring together a group of SHEEOs to discuss how their jobs have changed in this new environment. The group of executive officers who participated in this conversation represented, for the most part, coordinating board executives (with the exception of Rolfe Kerr, who is the commissioner of a statewide governing board). While they came from different regions of the country (and from states with dramatically different social, political and economic circumstances), no attempt was made to gain a "representative group." We did seek those with some "tenure" in their position so that they might reflect on the changes that have occurred in the past decade.
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