Federal Friday
- Department of Education: (GENERAL-26-42) Update to List of Professional Degree Programs Due to Court Order (Updated July 10, 2026)
- Department of Education: (GENERAL-26-45) Reminder: Reporting Deadline for Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Updated July 14, 2026)
- Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Issues Statement on the House Education and Workforce Committee’s “Less Bureaucracy, Better Education” Legislative Package
- Department of Homeland Security: Trump Administration Issues Final Rule to End Foreign Student Visa Abuse
Duration of Status
The Department of Homeland Security released the final rule titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media” in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026.
For more, you can review the final rule linked above and the Department’s press release. Additional information will be shared as it is available.
Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
On July 13, 2026, the comment period for the White House Office for Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed rule on “Uniform Guidance” closed. Nearly 500,000 comments have been posted to date. If interested, a selection of comments from member associations and groups of note are included below.
- APLU: Comments on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, 91 Fed. Reg. 32,196 (May 29, 2026); Docket No. OMB-2026-0034
- ACE Led Association Letter: Proposed Rule on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, Docket No. OMB-2026-0034
- Multi-State Attorneys General (Including AG Kaul): Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, 91 Fed. Reg. 32,198 (May 29, 2026), Docket No. OMB–2026–0034
- COGR: COGR Response to Federal Register Notice, 91 FR 32198 2 CFR Parts 1, 25, 170, 175, 176, 180, 182, 183, and 200 2 CFR subtitle B, referenced Federal agency adoptions
- AAU: AAU Comments on OMB’s Uniform Guidance Rule
- NACUBO: NACUBO Responds to Proposal to Reform Uniform Guidance
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.