About Us
The Higher Education Compliance Alliance was created by the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) to provide the higher education community with a centralized repository of information and resources for compliance with federal laws and regulations. The participating associations listed below represent a broad cross-section of higher education interests, and share a joint commitment to providing high quality, free resources on a broad range of compliance topics as a service to the higher education community at large. A wealth of additional resources, denoted throughout the site with a padlock symbol, are available to members of the association providing the resource.
Participating Organizations
NACUA
The mission of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) is to advance the effective practice of higher education attorneys for the benefit of the colleges and universities they serve. To meet this mission, NACUA produces comprehensive legal resources, offers continuing legal education programming, and maintains a listserv and a variety of member-only web-based resources pages. Through its legal resources, NACUA enables college and university attorneys to share resources, knowledge, and work products on current legal concerns and interests.
AACC
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents nearly 1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and more than 13 million students. AACC promotes community colleges through five strategic action areas: recognition and advocacy for community colleges; student access, learning, and success; community college leadership development; economic and workforce development; and global and intercultural education. Information about AACC and community colleges may be found at www.aacc.nche.edu.
AACRAO
The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest higher education associations. Widely regarded as the leading authority on the emerging field of enrollment management, the association is a recognized source of information on student admissions, academic records, and international education. AACRAO serves as an independent advocate for the collegiate sector on a broad range of policy issues in Washington. The Association’s policy agenda is founded on the principles of academic autonomy, access and accountability.
AAMC
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) serves and leads the academic medicine community to improve the health of all. Founded in 1876 and based in Washington, D.C., AAMC is a not-for-profit association representing all 141 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 51 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 128,000 faculty members, 75,000 medical students, and 110,000 resident physicians. Through its many programs and services, the AAMC strengthens the world’s most advanced medical care by supporting the entire spectrum of education, research, and patient care activities conducted by our member institutions. The AAMC and our members are dedicated to the communities we serve and steadfast in our desire to earn and keep the public’s trust for the role we play in improving the nation’s health.
AASCU
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington-based higher education association of more than 400 public colleges, universities and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development.
AAU
The Association of American Universities is a nonprofit association of 59 U.S. and two Canadian preeminent public and private research universities. Founded in 1900, AAU focuses on national and institutional issues that are important to research-intensive universities, including funding for research, research and education policy, and graduate and undergraduate education.
ACCT
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. ACCT is a major voice of community college trustees to policymakers and thought leaders. ACCT educates trustees through annual conferences focused on leadership development and advocacy, as well as through publications and online and on-location institutes and seminars.
ACE
The American Council on Education, founded in 1918, is the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions. With over 1800 members, ACE provides leadership on key higher education issues and influences public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives. ACE fosters greater collaboration and new partnerships within and outside the higher education community to help colleges and universities anticipate and address the challenges of the 21st century and contribute to a stronger nation and a better world.
ACPA
American College Personnel Association (ACPA) is a comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. ACPA members include graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in student affairs/higher education administration programs, faculty, and student affairs educators, from entry level to senior student affairs officers, and organizations and companies that are engaged in the campus marketplace.
ACUA
As the complexity of higher education intensifies, the need for internal audit, risk management, and compliance services has never been greater. Since its incorporation in 1958, the Association of College and University Auditors (ACUA) has been a primary resource for higher education auditing, regulatory compliance, and risk management. ACUA’s purpose is to further serve the higher education community to help enhance internal controls, risk mitigation, and compliance monitoring systems.
AGB
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is the only national association that serves the interests and needs of academic governing boards, boards of institutionally related foundations, and campus CEOs and other senior-level campus administrators on issues related to higher education governance and leadership. Its mission is to strengthen and protect this country’s unique form of institutional governance through its research, services, and advocacy.
APLU
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a membership of 237 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU’s agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement. Annually, APLU member campuses enroll 4.9 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.2 million degrees, employ 1.2 million faculty and staff, and conduct $43.9 billion in university-based research. For more information, visit www.aplu.org.
CASE
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) serves educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. CASE helps its members build strong relationships with alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, market their institutions to prospective students and foster public support of education through a variety of products and services.
CHEA
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) serves as a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. CHEA is an association of approximately 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.
CLIC
Any effort to aggregate resources on compliance with higher education regulations must recognize the exceptional work of the Campus Legal Information Clearinghouse (CLIC), a collaborative effort between the Catholic University of America’s Office of General Counsel, and the American Council on Education. Throughout the Higher Education Compliance Alliance, users will find links to CLIC’s resource pages. Reference to those pages in concert with the resources found on this site is highly recommended.
COGR
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) is an association of 185 research universities and affiliated academic medical centers and research institutes. COGR concerns itself with the impact of federal regulations, policies, and practices on the performance of research conducted at its member institutions.
CSHEMA
The Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) provides information sharing opportunities, continuing education, and professional fellowship to people with environmental health and safety (EHS) responsibilities in the education and research communities. Originally founded in 1954 as the Campus Safety Association, CSHEMA has a long history of service to the college, university, and research communities.
CUPA-HR
The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) is higher ed HR. Its mission is to serve higher education by providing the knowledge, resources, advocacy and connections to achieve organizational and workforce excellence. Founded in 1946, CUPA-HR provides vital resources and professional development opportunities to more than 14,000 higher education HR professionals at more than 1,700 institutions.
EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. EDUCAUSE programs include professional development activities, applied research, strategic policy advocacy, teaching and learning initiatives, online information services, print and electronic publications, special interest collaborative communities, and awards for leadership and innovation.
HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of eighteen institutions. Today, HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and its conferences and special events each year provide a vital platform for advocacy, information, collaboration, and recognition.
NACAC
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is an Arlington, VA-based education association of over 23,000 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association, founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in NACAC’s Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.
NACUBO
The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) was established to meet the needs of higher education business professionals. NACUBO’s advocacy efforts and members-only e-bulletins keep members informed of the latest issues being addressed by NACUBO on Capitol Hill. The Association also provides numerous professional development programs designed to help college and university business officers and their institutions meet the challenges of campus administration.
NAFEO
The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher education (NAFEO) is the 501 (c) (3), tax-exempt, not-for-profit umbrella organization of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Founded in 1969, NAFEO is the only membership association of its kind, representing the presidents and chancellors of the diverse black colleges and universities: public, private and land-grant, two-year, four-year, graduate and professional, historically and predominantly black colleges and universities.
NAFSA
NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, is the world’s largest professional association focused on international education, with nearly 10,000 members from more than 3,500 institutions and organizations in over 150 countries. We are constantly working to increase awareness of and support for the contributions of international education and exchange in higher education, government, and the community, believing that citizens with international experience and global awareness are crucial to the peace and development of our world.
NAICU
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) serves as the unified national voice of independent higher education. With more than 1,000 members nationwide, NAICU reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the United States, including traditional liberal arts colleges, major research universities, church- and faith-related institutions, historically black colleges and universities, women’s colleges, performing and visual arts institutions, two-year colleges, and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business, and other professions.
NASFAA
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents nearly 20,000 financial aid professionals at 2,800 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. Each year, financial aid professionals help more than 16 million students receive funding for post secondary education. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.
NASPA
NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education provides for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession through high-quality professional development, strong policy advocacy, and substantive research to inform practice. Founded in 1919, NASPA comprises more than 12,000 members in all 50 states, 29 countries, and 8 U.S. Territories.
The Forum on Education Abroad
The Forum on Education Abroad develops and disseminates comprehensive Standards of Good Practice for the field of education abroad. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission as the Standards Development Organization (SDO) for education abroad, the Forum’s Standards of Good Practice are recognized as the definitive means by which the quality of education abroad programs may be judged. The Forum conducts program assessment and quality improvement, data collection and research, promotes best practices and excellence in curricular design, and advocates on behalf of its members and the field of education abroad. The Forum serves institutions and organizations that sponsor and support education abroad programs for students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The Forum also collaborates with international member institutions and organizations to identify and facilitate best practices and standards for education abroad.
UPCEA
The University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) is the premier, international association for educators, administrators, and staff working in the areas of professional, continuing and online education.
URMIA
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) is an international non-profit educational association. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement and application of effective risk management principles and practices in institutions of higher education. URMIA represents over 1,700 individuals at over 540 institutions of higher education and 100 companies with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the largest educational institutions. The URMIA National Office is in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University.