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 wise 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.

The origin of the Commission can be traced back to the findings of the Alabama Education Commission of 1958.  This group was the first investigative body formally to recognize the need for the coordination of higher education in Alabama.  Citing concern over the future direction in the growth and development of higher education, the Commission stated that “an agency…for the study and research in the interest of the coordination and development of higher education should be established to collect information, review and analyze programs and costs, and to otherwise provide a reliable source of information and to make recommendations respecting all aspects of higher education.”  Although not followed, this recommendation became the basis for further consideration of the concept of a coordinating board a decade later by the 1968 Alabama Education Study Commission.

Acts 1969, Special Session, No.14

In the spring of 1969, Governor Albert Brewer introduced a package of education reforms based on the findings of these two groups to the Legislature during a special session.  This package included a call for the creation of a commission on higher education, “which would be responsible for advising the Legislature on matters concerning all aspects of higher learning from the junior college to the graduate level.”  On May 14, 1969 during a called Special Session, the Legislature passed Act 14, which created the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.  The Commission in its original form was an advisory agency lacking any regulatory authority over any board or institution.

Transfer of 1202 Functions and the Alabama Student Assistance Program to ACHE

In 1976, the Commission gained some important new responsibilities when Governor George Wallace transferred the functions of both the Alabama 1202 Commission and the administration of the Alabama Student Assistance Program from the State Department of Education to the Commission.  Between 1976 and 1998, nine other student assistance programs have come to be housed at the Commission.

Act 79-461

Throughout the 1970’s, the question of how much authority the Commission should have continued to be an issue.  During this time, various committees were created to look at higher education governance.  Most of these committees’ recommendations were ignored until the end of the decade.  In 1979, Representative Leigh Pegues introduced a bill which ultimately became Act 79-461.  This act provided the Commission with approval authority over new programs of instruction, regulatory authority over nonresident institutions operating in Alabama, and approval authority over off-campus instruction.  The Act also strengthened the Commission’s role in planning and mandated that overrides of the Commission must be by separate bill.

Act 94-202

One of the more significant higher education reforms in Alabama took place in March 1994 when the Articulation and General Studies Committee was created by an act of the legislature.  The act gives four specific charges to the committee:  1) develop a statewide freshman- and sophomore-level general studies curriculum to be taken at all public colleges and universities; 2) develop and adopt by a statewide articulation agreement for the freshman and sophomore years for the transfer of credit among all public institutions of higher education in Alabama; 3) examine the need for a uniform course numbering system, course titles, and course descriptions; and 4) resolve problems in the administration or interpretation of the articulation agreement of the general studies curriculum.

Loss of Guarantee Agency Status

In 1995, the United States Department of Education designated the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance (KHEAA) as the official guarantee agency for Alabama institutions participating in the Federal Family Educational Loan Program.  This action led to a substantial reduction in the Commission’s role in the student aid arena.

Acts 96-509, 96-771, 96-539 and 96-557

In 1996, Governor Fob James called for significant reforms in education.  It was at this time that the Commission was given the responsibility of developing a student unit record data base, developing a faculty unit record system, and overseeing the collection of facility master plans from each institution.  Probably the most far reaching higher education reform measure called for the review of all existing academic programs based on legislatively mandated program viability standards.  This reform measure ultimately led to the consolidation or termination of over 1,000 programs.

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Below are the responsibilities of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

The Commission:

• approves new units of instruction.  This includes new institutions, mergers, branch campuses, colleges, schools, divisions and departments.
• approves any new academic programs.
• approves off-campus instruction.
• facilitates planning for higher education.  This includes developing a statewide plan.
• reviews and makes recommendations concerning existing programs.
• prepares a Consolidated Budget Recommendation to the Governor and the Legislature.
• collects and compiles information concerning higher education in the State.
• administers student assistance programs.
• conducts studies on higher education issues and makes recommendations to the institutions, the Legislature and the Governor concerning its findings.
• provides a state-level framework for institutions to respond cooperatively and individually to the needs of the citizens of the State.
• reviews institutional facilities masterplans and report to trustees and the Legislature.
• maintains an electronic student unit record system to provide accountability on student progress.
• oversight for the programmatic review of private and public institutions operating as foreign corporations in Alabama in accord with the regulatory authority assigned to the Commission by statute.
• serves as the state portal for Alabama’s participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

The Commission is not responsible for:

• the appropriation or allocation of funds.
• the termination of existing programs or existing units of instruction outside the program viability process.
• the approval of new construction projects.
• the establishment of tuition and fees.
• recommending/enforcing policies concerning enrollment parameters. This includes: setting enrollment caps; limiting the number of out-of-state students; setting residency requirements; or setting admission standards.
• setting faculty work loads or salaries.
• the hiring and firing of personnel at the institutions.

Organizational Chart

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The Commission is responsible for statewide long-range planning for postsecondary education. The plans that result from this process include statewide objectives and priorities and are intended to be derived from the continuous study, analysis and evaluation of Alabama higher education. Ala. Code §16-5-6 (1975).

Alabama Commission on Higher Education Strategic Plan 2018-2030

Professional development in the
humanities field was provided to educators across the state, both at in-person workshops and online.  Teachers were provided resource materials to take back to the classroom.

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The three components of the program are

• to protect forests,
• service and help landowners ,
• educate the general public about the value of our forests in insuring both a healthy economy and environment.

Programs have been developed at Alabama A&M University  and Athens State University to address the critical teacher shortage and lack of men of color teaching in K-12 classrooms.

A-KEEP’s mission is to provide multicultural diversity education programs to the students and professionals of both Alabama and
Korea.

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Funding was used to hire staff for a new
education program. Anchor Academy was hosted aboard the USS Alabama for STEM and history students.

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The Alabama Trails Commission is working to develop Alabama’s potential as a nationally recognized trails destination.

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