Page 2 - Black Modern Annual Report A4

Alabama Commission

on Higher Education

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, a statewide 12-member lay board
appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House and
confirmed by the Senate, is the state agency responsible for the overall statewide
planning and coordination of higher education in Alabama, the administration of
various student aid programs, and the performance of designated regulatory functions.
The Commission seeks to provide reasonable access to quality collegiate and university
education for the citizens of Alabama. In meeting this commitment, the Commission
facilitates informed decision making and policy formulation regarding responsible
stewardship of resources in response to the needs of students and the goals of
institutions. The agency also provides a state-level framework for institutions to
respond cooperatively and individually to the needs of the citizens of the State.

Responsibilities of the Commission include the following:
• Approves new units of instruction, to the institutions, the Legislature
including new institutions, mergers, and the Governor concerning its
branch campuses, colleges, schools, findings;
divisions, and departments; • Provides a state-level framework for
• Approves any new academic institutions to respond cooperatively
programs; and individually to the needs of the
• Approves off-campus instruction; citizens of the State;
• Facilitates planning for higher • Reviews institutional facilities
education, including developing a masterplans and reports to trustees
statewide plan; and the Legislature;
• Reviews and makes recommendations • Maintains an electronic student
concerning existing programs; unit record system to provide
• Prepares a Consolidated Budget accountability on student progress;
Recommendation to the Governor and • Oversight for the programmatic
Legislature, including budget review of private and public
recommendations from all public institutions operating as foreign
community colleges and universities corporations in Alabama in accord
and for statewide initiatives; with the regulatory authority
• Collects and compiles information assigned to the Commission by
concerning higher education in the statute; and
State; • Serves as the state portal entity
• Administers student financial for Alabama’s participation
assistance programs; in the National Council for State
• Conducts studies on higher education Authorization Reciprocity
issues and makes recommendations Agreements (NC-SARA).

Alabama Commission on Higher Education
100 North Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104

(334)242-1998
www.ache.edu