On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order announcing Louisiana’s decision to join six other Southern states in aligning with a newly established accreditation consortium. The group includes universities from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and now Louisiana. It launched the Commission for Public Higher Education in June and is seeking fast-tracked approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Challenging the Status Quo
This move represents a significant shift away from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC accredits institutions across 11 states, including Louisiana, and is known for its standards on diversity, equity, inclusion, and institutional autonomy. Conservative leaders have openly criticized these standards, claiming they reflect undue ideological influence over higher education.
The Role of the Task Force
To pave the way for a dual accreditation model that gives institutions a choice between the traditional SACSCOC path and the new conservative alternative, Landry signed an order to establish the Task Force on Public Higher Education Reform. The group’s mandate includes crafting a rollout plan and overseeing pilot programs. It is expected to convene no later than August 31 and to provide actionable recommendations by January 30, 2026. In the meantime, it will meet every two months.
A Politically Charged Initiative
Landry framed this strategy as a rejection of DEI-driven mandates in favor of merit-based approaches. He tapped longstanding conservative sentiments, echoed by figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who criticized existing accrediting bodies as ideological and praised the new commission for focusing on student achievement instead of political trends.
Task Force Composition
The task force consists almost entirely of Landry appointees or legislators aligned with his views, except for Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education. Also on the panel are the chairs of the Board of Regents, University of Louisiana System, LSU System, Southern University System, and the Community and Technical College Systems, along with legislative education chairs and key administration officials.
Shift in Governance Authority
Late last year, Landry backed legislative changes that shifted power in higher education governance from board-selected leaders to gubernatorial appointments. Although a more aggressive proposal to allow the governor to directly hire system presidents was removed to avoid risking accreditation, the new structure gives Landry far-reaching influence over higher education oversight.
The Federal Approval Hurdle
The next key step is securing approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Only with federal recognition can institutions under the new accreditor continue to offer federally funded student aid. Approval is not guaranteed, and the pilot initiative remains contingent on this step.
Why This Matters
This is not just an administrative change. It signals a broader ideological battle. Accreditation affects funding, reputation, and institutional standards. If Louisiana and its Southern partners succeed in building a credible conservative alternative, the long-term effects could stretch far beyond the region.
What to Watch
- August 31, 2025: The task force holds its first meeting.
- January 30, 2026: Deadline for its recommendations.
- Post-January 2026: Whether pilot dual accreditation begins, depending on federal approval.
Higher education in Louisiana may soon offer more than one accrediting path, raising questions about quality control, federal compliance, and the political tug-of-war shaping America’s universities.
