Other Higher Education Issues

Institutions that serve students online or through technology-enhanced tools should understand accessibility requirements that help ensure students can access course materials, services, and learning environments. The WCET Accessibility Issue Page provides guidance and resources for supporting accessible digital learning.

Key resource: Access for All: New Accessibility Rules for Public Entities — policy brief on web and mobile application accessibility requirements for public entities, including colleges and universities. Requires SAN Member login. Published 8/24.

European Union: European Accessibility Act(EAA). U.S. postsecondary institutions serving students located in the EU should be aware that the EAA may apply. See also: U.S. Websites Need to Know About the European Accessibility Act. Key dates include:

• April 2019: EAA effective date.
• June 28, 2025: EAA full compliance date.
• June 28, 2030: Grace period ends for certain products and services that existed before 2025. The EAA differs from U.S. Department of Justice regulations by allowing additional time to remediate some existing products and services.
  • New content must be accessible immediately.

Accrediting agencies are part of the higher education triad and help ensure that institutions and programs meet standards for educational quality and continuous improvement. Institutions must meet accreditor standards to maintain accreditation and participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. Federal regulations implement Higher Education Act requirements for Title IV compliance. Accreditation-related regulations became effective July 1, 2020.

Institutions manage personal data, intellectual property, research activity, and technology systems that support teaching and learning. Cybersecurity and data protection practices help reduce the risk of data breaches, fraud, and disruptions to academic operations.

U.S. Department of Education FSA Cybersecurity Compliance - Compliance Requirements & Resources

REN-ISAC; Research Education Networking Information Sharing & Analysis Center

The U.S. Department of Education defines distance education for Title IV HEA program purposes, but accreditors, states, and other federal agencies may use different definitions. Institutions should also recognize how commonly used digital learning terms—such as in-person, online, hybrid, hyflex, synchronous, and asynchronous—may vary across policy contexts.

Key resource: Policy Brief — Regular and Substantive Interaction. Requires SAN Member login.

Additional resource: Defining “Distance Education” in Policy: Differences Among Federal, State, and Accreditation Agencies. Published 3/23.

Additional resource: Context Matters: Survey Results of Institutional Digital Learning Definitions. Published 4/24.

Online education can increase opportunities for academic dishonesty and identity fraud, including attempts to obtain Title IV federal financial aid or complete coursework under another person’s identity. Institutions may use methods such as exam proctoring, user IDs, passwords, and emerging verification technologies to support student identity verification. The WCET Student Identity Verification Issue Page provides more information on approaches institutions may consider.