Federal Friday
- Department of Education: (GENERAL-26-42) Update to List of Professional Degree Programs Due to Court Order
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Final Rule to Hold All Colleges and Universities Accountable for Low-Earning Programs
- Department of Justice: The Department of Justice Files Complaints Against Massachusetts and Rhode Island Challenging State Laws that Provide In-State Tuition to Illegal Aliens
- Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Issues Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J.
- Department of Education: Fact Sheet: The Trump Administration is Making Higher Education More Affordable, Expanding Opportunity, and Simplifying Student Loan Repayment
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Marks End of Second Annual Title IX Month with Major Enforcement Recap
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Holds First-of-its-Kind Higher Education Fraud Summit
- National Science Foundation: Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities
Electronic Announcement
On June 29, 2026, the Department of Education released an Electronic Announcement titled, (GENERAL-26-42) Update to List of Professional Degree Programs Due to Court Order.
Please take time to review the announcement and know that further updates will be shared as appropriate.
Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand- Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability
On July 1, 2026, the Department of Education published the final Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand- Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule.
At the time of the announcement, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent, said, “The Trump Administration is hitting the hard reset button on higher education and implementing commonsense reforms that will drive down the cost of higher education and hold all institutions, regardless of sector, accountable for low earnings outcomes. If a program cannot show that it leaves its graduates financially better off than if they had never enrolled, it should not be underwritten by federal taxpayers. Amid rising rates of default and delinquency in the $1.7 trillion federal student loan portfolio, this new accountability framework is a responsible policy that will safeguard American taxpayer dollars and protect students from taking on unmanageable debt for programs that cannot demonstrate a reasonable return on investment.”
For more from the Department, including changes from the NPRM, you can review the Department’s press release and summary document.
Supreme Court of the United States Update
On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in West Virginia vs. B.P.J. You can read the opinion at the preceding link, and if interested, you can review Secretary McMahon’s statement following the ruling here.
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.