Federal Friday
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Negotiated Rulemaking to Reform and Strengthen America’s Higher Education Accreditation System
- Federal Register: Intent to Establish Negotiated Rulemaking Committee
- Department of Education: U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services Refer Minnesota Case to U.S. Department of Justice for Title IX Non-Compliance
- Departments of Education and Treasury: U.S. Departments of Education and Treasury Release Joint Fact Sheet on Historic Education Freedom Tax Credit
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Finds San José State University Violated Title IX
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Finds California Department of Education Violated Federal Law by Hiding Students’ “Gender Transitions” from Parents
- Education and Workforce Committee: Walberg Releases Documents Alleging Evanston Mayor Endangered Jewish Students’ Safety to “Shore Up…Progressive Credentials”
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Rule to Make Higher Education More Affordable and Simplify Student Loan Repayment
- Federal Register: Reimagining and Improving Student Education
FY26 Funding Update
The Senate continues to work to advance the remaining FY26 appropriations bills in advance of the January 30, 2026, expiration of the current Continuing Resolution.
The situation remains fluid and updates will continue to be shared with university stakeholders as appropriate.
For more on the status of all FY26 appropriations legislation, you can review the following Appropriations Status Table.
Reimagining and Improving Student Education Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) following the Reimagining and Improving Student Education Negotiated Rulemaking Committee was released for pre-publication on January 29 with formal publication expected on January 30, 2026. Once the NPRM is published, there will be a 30-day comment period.
If interested, you can review the NPRM and information from the Department of Education at the links below.
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Rule to Make Higher Education More Affordable and Simplify Student Loan Repayment
- Federal Register: Reimagining and Improving Student Education
Please continue to share feedback with your university’s liaison.
Website and Guidance Updates
Please know the Universities of Wisconsin Federal Updates Page continues to be updated with new communications and guidance across the various topic areas.
For any questions, please continue to reach out to you university’s liaison.
Political Activity Guidance Reminder
As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.
Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.
In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.
For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.
Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.