{"id":7673,"date":"2026-10-30T12:00:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T17:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/?p=7673"},"modified":"2026-10-29T14:30:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T19:30:50","slug":"october-30-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/2026\/10\/30\/october-30-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"October 30, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Federal Friday<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Department of War: <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FSecWar%2Fstatus%2F2113746559527727121%3Fs%3D20&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618755762%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=pwD45FdshN0Do%2ButZxTbII7USNdir2VR5BqxKbeTSVo%3D&amp;reserved=0\">The War Department has designated Confucius Institutes as a threat to our national security.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Select Committee on China: <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchinaselectcommittee.house.gov%2Fmedia%2Fpress-releases%2Fpentagon-designates-confucius-institutes-a-national-security-threat&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618786706%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=O4dSl%2BJGBZrhqPLoHdcxhWaInr8JgpOMbKI1VnnAJKU%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Pentagon Designates Confucius Institutes A National Security Threat<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Department of Education: <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Fspeech%2Fsecretary-mcmahon-delivers-next-250-higher-education-remarks-vanderbilt-university&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618805844%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=UmIrNHj6xut1NX8hqbBuuQ33E7ZufKbM4SgHYS22VWc%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Secretary McMahon Delivers \u201cThe Next 250: Higher Education\u201d Remarks at Vanderbilt University<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Department of Education: <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Fpress-release%2Fus-secretary-of-education-linda-mcmahon-delivers-remarks-trump-administrations-efforts-restore-public-trust-higher-education&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618827807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=NcErULO92BqiM3KmjRckTTabeLBtk68W1BbysesDlWQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\">U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Delivers Remarks on the Trump Administration\u2019s Efforts to Restore Public Trust in Higher Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Department of Education: <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Fpress-release%2Fus-department-of-education-finalizes-rule-reform-strengthen-and-modernize-higher-education-accreditation&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618847413%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=SnFKXDJ%2B1Rs0tAE1iCiW%2F6OTMa6YcgWiwTm%2B%2FsDtKxE%3D&amp;reserved=0\">U.S. Department of Education Finalizes Rule to Reform, Strengthen, and Modernize Higher Education Accreditation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Accreditation Update<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On October 30, 2026, the Department of Education published the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: Recognition of Accrediting Agencies; Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act, as Amended; Student Assistance General Provisions final rule. The rule is set to go into effect on July 1, 2027.<\/p>\n<p>If interested, you can read the final rule itself <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fpublic-inspection%2F2026-22174%2Faccreditation-innovation-and-modernization-recognition-of-accrediting-agencies-institutional&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618864535%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=zbzXhM4fbFuoZu6iOc4OcVJb2LIp7S6l6kBBRPnjBu0%3D&amp;reserved=0\">here<\/a>\u00a0and more from the Department of Education <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Fpress-release%2Fus-department-of-education-finalizes-rule-reform-strengthen-and-modernize-higher-education-accreditation&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618881588%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=tVjJixiLW7N8lagmY7yVw0KtUvQaRk%2B0ag0ANyVjoeo%3D&amp;reserved=0\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Additional updates will be shared as appropriate, and if there are questions or concerns, please reach out to your <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisconsin.edu%2Fgovernment-relations%2Ffederal-updates%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Candrew.preboski%40wisconsin.edu%7C0badf6bb5cc24205358208df35cc4494%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639288823618898507%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9Ff0JCNnDfBrWlAeD8%2FegKIo6QCao7z0c6%2FPcMpX9Vg%3D&amp;reserved=0\">campus federal updates liaison<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><b>Political Activity Guidance Reminder<\/b><\/p>\n<p>As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, you can read the\u00a0<a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/guidance-on-political-campaign-activities-at-university-of-wisconsin-system-institutions\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/guidance-on-political-campaign-activities-at-university-of-wisconsin-system-institutions\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"8\">Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions<\/a>\u00a0document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.<\/p>\n<p>Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university\u2019s Office of Legal Affairs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Federal Friday Department of War: The War Department has designated Confucius Institutes as a threat to our national security. Select Committee on China: Pentagon Designates Confucius Institutes A National Security Threat Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Delivers \u201cThe Next 250: Higher Education\u201d Remarks at Vanderbilt University Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fed-friday-updates","category-federal-updates"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7673"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7676,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7673\/revisions\/7676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}