Notice2024-14342
Meeting, National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 2, 2024
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
This notice sets forth the agenda, time, and instructions to access or participate in the August 6-8, 2024, hybrid meeting of NACIQI, and provides information to members of the public regarding the meeting, including requesting to make written or oral comments. Committee members will meet in-person while accrediting agency representatives and public attendees will participate virtually. The notice of this meeting is required under U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 10 (Federal Advisory Committees) and section 114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54803-54806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14342]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Meeting, National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and
Integrity
AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and
Integrity (NACIQI or Committee), Office of Postsecondary Education,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Announcement of an open meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the agenda, time, and instructions to
access or participate in the August 6-8, 2024, hybrid meeting of
NACIQI, and provides information to members of the public regarding the
meeting, including requesting to make written or oral comments.
Committee members will meet in-person while accrediting agency
representatives and public attendees will participate virtually. The
notice of this meeting is required under U.S.
[[Page 54804]]
Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 10 (Federal Advisory Committees)
and section 114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as
amended.
ADDRESSES: Potomac Center Plaza, 10th Floor Auditorium, 550 12th Street
SW, Washington, DC 20024 [Only NACIQI members and Department of
Education staff will participate in the meeting at this address].
DATES: The hybrid NACIQI meeting will be held on August 6-8, 2024, from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Alan Smith, Executive Director/
Designated Federal Official (DFO), NACIQI, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202, telephone:
(202) 453-7757, or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a9eeccc6dbcecc87e8c5c8c787fac4c0ddc1e9cccd87cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b3c1e14091c1e553a171a15552816120f133b1e1f551c140d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Statutory Authority and Function: NACIQI is established under
Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c). NACIQI advises the Secretary
of Education with respect to:
<bullet> The establishment and enforcement of the standards of
accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2, part H, Title IV
of the HEA, as amended;
<bullet> The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or
associations;
<bullet> The preparation and publication of the list of nationally
recognized accrediting agencies and associations;
<bullet> The eligibility and certification process for institutions
of higher education under Title IV of the HEA, together with
recommendations for improvement in such process;
<bullet> The relationship between (1) accreditation of institutions
of higher education and the certification and eligibility of such
institutions, and (2) State licensing responsibilities with respect to
such institutions; and
<bullet> Any other advisory function relating to accreditation and
institutional eligibility that the Secretary of Education may prescribe
by regulation.
Meeting Agenda
The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a review of the following
applications for renewals of recognition.
Applications for Renewal of Recognition
1. WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Scope of Recognition: The accreditation and pre-accreditation
(``Candidate for Accreditation'') of community and other colleges which
have as a primary mission the granting of associate degrees, but which
may also award certificates and other credentials, not to exceed the
bachelor degree level, where the provision of such credentials is
within the institution's mission and, if applicable, is authorized by
their governmental authorities, and the accreditation of such programs
offered via distance education and correspondence education at these
colleges. This recognition also extends to the Committee on Substantive
Change of the Commission, for decisions on substantive changes, and the
Appeals Panel. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout
the United States.
2. American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education.
Scope of Recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation
(``Provisional Accreditation'') in the United States of programs
leading to professional degrees (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) in veterinary
medicine. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the
United States.
3. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. Scope
of Recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of
institutions of higher education that offer continuing education and
vocational programs that confer certificates or occupational associate
degrees, including those programs offered via distance education.
Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the United
States.
4. Council on Education for Public Health. Scope of Recognition:
The accreditation of schools of public health and public health
programs outside schools of public health, at the baccalaureate and
graduate degree levels, including those offered via distance education.
Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the United
States.
5. National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on
Accreditation. Scope of Recognition: The accreditation throughout the
United States of freestanding institutions that offer dance and dance-
related programs (both degree and non-degree-granting), including those
offered via distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting
Activities: Throughout the United States.
6. National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on
Accreditation. Scope of Recognition: The accreditation throughout the
United States of freestanding institutions that offer music and music
related programs (both degree and non-degree-granting) including those
offered via distance. This recognition also extends to the Commission
on Community College Accreditation. Geographic Area of Accrediting
Activities: Throughout the United States.
7. National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on
Accreditation. Scope of Recognition: The accreditation throughout the
United States of freestanding institutions that offer theatre and
theatre-related programs (both degree and non-degree-granting),
including those offered via distance education. Geographic Area of
Accrediting Activities: Throughout the United States.
8. Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public
Postsecondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs. Scope of
Recognition: State agency for the approval of vocational education.
9. Maryland State Board of Nursing. Scope of Recognition: State
agency for the approval of nursing education.
10. New York State Board of Regents (nursing education). Scope of
Recognition: State approval agency for nursing education.
To ensure sufficient time for all agency reviews, including NACIQI
questions and discussion, the Department requests that the agencies
limit their opening statements to 10 minutes (total for one or more
statements), and that the agencies avoid extended discussions about
agency representatives and their backgrounds. Following the brief
opening statement, the agency's presentation should focus on the
regulatory criteria, and in particular, responses to areas where the
staff has recommended a finding of noncompliance or substantial
compliance, or where other concerns have been raised that the agency
would like to address. However, the agency should expect that questions
from NACIQI members may focus on other areas.
Administration Policy Update
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Dr. Nasser Paydar,
will provide an update on the Administration's postsecondary education
policy priorities.
Accreditor Dashboards Updates
The Committee will refer to the Accreditor Dashboards for
accrediting agencies up for review. These dashboards will include
information about post-completion earnings and cumulative loan debt.
Policy Discussion
In addition to its review of accrediting agencies and State
approval agencies for Secretarial recognition, there will be
[[Page 54805]]
time for Committee discussions regarding any of the categories within
NACIQI's statutory authority in its capacity as an advisory committee.
Instructions for Accessing the Meeting
Registration
Committee members will meet in-person while agency representatives
and public attendees will participate virtually.
You may register for the meeting on your computer using the link
below. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email
containing personalized participation links for each day of the three-
day meeting no later than 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on August 6,
2024.
Registration Link
<a href="https://cvent.me/N7blbg">https://cvent.me/N7blbg</a>.
Public Comment
Submission of requests to make an oral comment regarding a specific
accrediting agency under review, or to make an oral comment or written
statement regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI's
authority:
Opportunity to submit a written statement regarding a specific
accrediting agency under review was solicited by a previous Federal
Register notice published on May 3, 2023 (88 FR 27876; Document Number
2023-09362). The period for submission of such statements is now
closed. Additional written statements regarding a specific accrediting
agency or state approval agency under review will not be accepted at
this time. However, members of the public may submit written statements
regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI's authority for
consideration by NACIQI in the manner described below.
Members of the public may make oral comments regarding a specific
accrediting agency under review and/or other agenda topics. Oral
comments may not exceed three minutes. Oral comments about an agency's
recognition when a compliance report has been required by the Senior
Department Official or the Secretary must relate to the criteria for
recognition cited in the Senior Department Official's letter that
requested the report, or in the Secretary's appeal decision, if any.
Oral comments about an agency seeking expansion of scope must be
directed to the agency's ability to serve as a recognized accrediting
agency with respect to the kinds of institutions or programs requested
to be added. Oral comments about the renewal of an agency's recognition
must relate to its compliance with the criteria for the Recognition of
Accrediting Agencies, which are available at <a href="http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html">http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html</a>.
Written statements and oral comments concerning NACIQI's work
outside of a specific accrediting agency under review must be limited
to matters within the scope of NACIQI's authority, as outlined under
Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c), and written comments of any
kind submitted after the deadline will not be considered by the
Department or provided to NACIQI for purposes of the current cycle
review.
Instructions on Requesting To Make Public Comment
To request to make oral comments of three minutes or less during
the August 6-8, 2024, meeting, please follow either Method One or
Method Two below. To submit a written statement to NACIQI concerning
its work outside a specific accrediting agency under review, please
follow Method One.
Method One: Submit a request by email to the
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#df8bb7b6adbb8fbeadaba69cb0b2b2bab1abac9fbabbf1b8b0a9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="56023e3f2432063724222f15393b3b3338222516333278313920">[email protected]</span></a> mailbox. Please do not send material directly
to NACIQI members. Written statements to NACIQI concerning its work
outside of a specific accrediting agency under review and requests to
make oral comment must be received by July 30, 2024, and include the
subject line ``Oral Comment Request: (agency name),'' ``Oral Comment
Request: (subject)'' or ``Written Statement: (subject).'' The email
must include the name(s), title, organization/affiliation, mailing
address, email address, and telephone number, of the person(s)
submitting a written statement or requesting to speak. All individuals
submitting an advance request in accordance with this notice will be
afforded an opportunity to speak. Written statements of any kind
submitted after the deadline will not be considered by the Department
or provided to NACIQI for purposes of the current cycle review.
Method Two (Only available to those seeking to make oral comments):
Submit a request by email on August 6, 2024, between 7:45 a.m. and 8:45
a.m. Eastern Standard Time to the <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ecaf6f7ecfaceffeceae7ddf1f3f3fbf0eaeddefbfab0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93c7fbfae1f7c3f2e1e7ead0fcfefef6fde7e0d3f6f7bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a> mailbox.
The email must include the subject on which the requestor wishes to
comment, in addition to his or her name, title, organization/
affiliation, mailing address, email address, and telephone number. If
you intend to make your comments by dialing into the meeting rather
than using a computer, please be sure to include that information in
your email request. A total of up to fifteen minutes for each agenda
item will be allotted for oral commenters who register on August 6,
2024, between 7:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Individuals will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If
selected, each commenter may not exceed three minutes.
Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the
official report of the meeting on the NACIQI website <a href="https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/archive-of-meetings/">https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/archive-of-meetings/</a> within 90 days after the
meeting. In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1009(b), the public may
request to inspect records of the meeting at 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Washington, DC, by emailing <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6203110e1007010d1006110f030c030507102207064c050d14"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4726342b352224283523342a26292620223507222369202831">[email protected]</span></a> or by calling
(202) 453-7415 to schedule an appointment. Senior Department Official's
(as defined in 34 CFR 602.3) decisions, pursuant to 34 CFR 602.36,
associated with all NACIQI meetings can be found at the following
website: <a href="https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents">https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents</a>.
Reasonable Accommodations: The dial-in information and weblink
access to the meeting are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
If you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the
meeting (e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or
materials in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in
this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date.
Although we will attempt to meet a request received after that date, we
may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or
service because of insufficient time to arrange it.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free
internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System
at: <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys">www.gpo.gov/fdsys</a>. At this site you can view this document, as well
as all other documents of the Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF,
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the
site. You also may access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
[[Page 54806]]
Authority: Section 114 of the HEA of 1964, as amended (20 U.S.C.
1011c).
Antoinette Flores,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation, Office
of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2024-14342 Filed 7-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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