The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education and the subsequent review of federal regulations dealing with accreditation by the U.S. Department of Education have energized a national dialogue on fundamental issues concerning student learning, quality assurance, educational effectiveness, and transfer of credit. We applaud the Secretary's leadership in launching this discussion. The material issues raised by the Department in this rule-making process require responsible action by the states, institutions, the academic disciplines, and accrediting associations. We believe, however, that expanding the scope and force of federal regulation will not be an effective response. States, institutions, and accreditors can and should address them using the means already at their disposal.