Six States Form New University Accrediting Agency

Florida and five other Southern states—Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas—have created the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a new accrediting agency for public universities. Led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican leaders, CPHE aims to provide an alternative to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), which they criticize for enforcing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates. Supporters say CPHE will emphasize academic rigor, student outcomes, and operational efficiency, challenging what they call the 'woke accreditation cartel.' Federal approval is required for CPHE, a process that could take years, and ongoing legal and legislative actions in Florida seek further changes to university accreditation. Critics warn the move could politicize accreditation and jeopardize students' federal financial aid eligibility. The initiative reflects deep ideological divides over the role of DEI and governance in higher education.