Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.

Dear Colleagues:

The House adjourned early this week, sending members back to their districts ahead of the November midterm elections and leaving much of its remaining legislative business until after Election Day. The Senate, meanwhile, is expected to remain in Washington through October 2 before beginning its election recess. While congressional activity is winding down for the next several weeks, the administration continues to move forward with its higher education agenda.

Next week, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) will convene for what is shaping up to be a contentious meeting, with the Department of Education recommending that the American Bar Association lose its federally recognized authority to accredit law school programs. We will provide a summary of the meeting in next week’s Washington Update.

Also on the accreditation front, Monday is the deadline to submit comments to the Department on its Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization proposed rule. NAICU has joined a community-wide comment letter (see Soundbite below) and will also submit our own comments on Monday.

I also continue to hear questions and concerns about Secretary McMahon’s call-to-action to college presidents and governing boards. Earlier this week, NAICU hosted a webinar providing additional details about the secretary’s letter, considerations for institutions weighing whether and how to respond, and perspectives from the states.

My thanks to Bob Boyd, president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, and Rob McCarron, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, for discussing the political environments in their states and sharing how they have counseled their members in responding to the call-to-action.

Here are the recording and presentation slides from the webinar.

NAICU’s 2027 Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day

Registration is open for NAICU’s upcoming Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day, January 31-February 3, 2027. Register early to take advantage of our Early Bird rates.

This year’s theme is Looking Forward: Advocacy in a Changing Landscape. With the meeting taking place soon after the 2026 midterm elections and as the 120th Congress takes shape, the political landscape will present both new challenges and opportunities for private, nonprofit higher education.

Join your colleagues in Washington, DC, as we prepare for the important conversations you will have with policymakers during Advocacy Day and throughout the year—both in Washington and in your congressional district and state.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.

Regards,

Barbara

Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.