Federal Friday
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Department of Justice: DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act Enforcement
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Department of Justice: Justice Department Finds UCSF Medical School Discriminates Based on Race in Admissions
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Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Approves Workforce Pell Grant Programs in Texas
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Department of State: Launch of Online Visa Fraud Tip Portal
- Department of Labor: US Department of Labor Awards $65M to Develop, Expand Access to Training Opportunities Through Workforce Pell Grants
Accreditation NPRM
The comment period for the Department of Education’s proposed rule related to “Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary’s Recognition of Accrediting Agencies: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, Student Assistance General Provisions” closed on September 21, 2026. Over 5,000 comments were received by the agency; a handful of comments of interest are included below.
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Higher Learning Commission (HLC): Comment Letter
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APLU: Comment Letter
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NASFAA: Comment Letter
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COGR: Comment Letter
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Muti-State Attorneys General: Comment Letter
Any developments as the agency reviews comments and looks to finalize the rule will be shared with campus stakeholders; if you have questions or concerns in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your university liaison.
Education Department General Administrative Regulations
The comment period for the Department of Education’s proposed rule related to “Education Department General Administrative Regulations” closed on September 23, 2026. Over 5,000 comments were received by the agency; a handful of comments of interest are included below.
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APLU: Comment Letter
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COGR: Comment Letter
Any developments as the agency reviews comments and looks to finalize the rule will be shared with campus stakeholders; if you have questions or concerns in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your university 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.