The U.S. Department of Education has issued an open letter from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to college and university presidents and governing boards, encouraging institutions to publicly reaffirm their commitments to teaching, research, student success, and public service. The letter is framed as a voluntary “national call to action” rather than a new regulatory requirement.
According to the Department, institutions are encouraged to publish a statement on their websites before the end of 2026 outlining both their current practices and any planned initiatives in several key areas of institutional governance and operations. These topics include:
- Transparency and Merit in Admissions
- Free Speech and Open Inquiry
- Intellectual Pluralism and Academic Vitality
- Affordability, Value, and Student Outcomes
- Academic Standards and Rigor in the Age of AI
- Safeguarding Research Integrity from Malign Foreign Influence
- Prioritizing American Interests
The Department states that the purpose of the initiative is to promote transparency and strengthen public confidence in higher education by encouraging institutions to clearly communicate their principles and priorities. The letter asks governing boards and institutional leadership to take an active role in developing and publishing these statements.
At this time, the letter does not establish any new federal reporting requirement, submission process, or regulatory mandate. Instead, it serves as a request for institutions to voluntarily publish their commitments on publicly accessible webpages by the end of 2026.
Institutions may wish to review the letter to determine whether their existing mission statements, strategic plans, and institutional policies already address these topics or whether additional public-facing information may be appropriate.
SOURCE: Press Release