UPCEA Co-Signs Letter with ACE and Other Organizations in Response to Department of Education’s Feb. 14, 2025 Dear Colleague Letter (American Council on Education)
“The stated purpose of the DCL is to “provide clarity to the public regarding existing legal requirements” for colleges and universities under the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), and more broadly under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Unfortunately, the DCL’s ambiguous language has only led to confusion on campuses about their compliance responsibilities. Therefore, we respectfully request that the Department rescind the DCL and engage with the higher education community to ensure a clear understanding of their legal obligations in this area.” Read more.


Linda McMahon’s nomination to be Education secretary clears Senate hurdle (Roll Call)
Linda McMahon, whom President Donald Trump nominated to be Education secretary, is one step nearer to confirmation after the Senate cleared a procedural hurdle Thursday [2/27/25]. Senators voted 51-47 to approve a motion to invoke cloture on McMahon’s nomination, which is scheduled to receive a confirmation vote Monday. McMahon served as head of the Small Business Administration during the first Trump administration and was previously the CEO of professional wrestling and entertainment company WWE. Read more.


Judge temporarily blocks OPM, Education Department from sharing personal info with DOGE (Politico)
“A federal judge has barred the Education Department and the Office of Personnel Management — the government’s massive HR department — from sharing sensitive information with Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” saying the decision to grant DOGE access appears to breach federal privacy laws. “The continuing, unauthorized disclosure of plaintiffs’ sensitive personal information to DOGE affiliates is irreparable harm that money damages cannot rectify,” U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, a Maryland-based appointee of President Joe Biden, wrote Monday in a 33-page ruling granting a two-week restraining order.” Read more.


Judge temporarily blocks part of Trump’s anti-DEI orders (Inside Higher Ed)
“The nationwide injunction, handed down Friday evening [2/21/25], blocks the administration from terminating ‘equity-related’ grants or contracts and investigating universities with endowments worth more than $1 billion, among other provisions in two executive orders that targeted a range of programs, grants and contracts that the Trump administration considers ‘illegal’ DEI.” Read more.


Other News

 

Policy Matters: Primers and Insights

As institutions of higher education continue to innovate with online courses and professional continuing education programs, having a general understanding of the regulatory landscape that such initiatives are subject to is critical to their long-term success. These resources provide an introduction to foundational topics in federal legislation and regulations impacting online and professional continuing education for universities and colleges.