Open Forum on College Value and Affordability and College Ratings System, 64930-64931 [2013-25739]

Download as PDF 64930 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 210 / Wednesday, October 30, 2013 / Notices Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8072, Washington, DC 20006. NACIQI’S Statutory Authority and Function: The NACIQI is established under Section 114 of the HEA of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1011c. The NACIQI advises the Secretary of Education about: • The establishment and enforcement of the criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under Subpart 2, Part H, Title IV, of the HEA, as amended. • The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or associations or a specific State approval agency. • The preparation and publication of the list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations. • The eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education under Title IV, of the HEA, together with recommendations for improvement in such process. • 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. • Any other advisory function relating to accreditation and institutional eligibility that the Secretary may prescribe. SUMMARY: This meeting notice is an update to the previous notice (78 FR 50401) published on August 19, 2013, and sets forth the time and location for the December 12–13, 2013, meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). Meeting Date and Place: The NACIQI meeting will be held on December 12, 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on December 13, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, 415 New Jersey Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20001. Reasonable Accommodations: The meeting site is 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. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Griffiths, Executive Director, NACIQI, U.S. Department of Education, VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 Oct 29, 2013 Jkt 232001 1990 K Street NW., Room 8073, Washington, DC 20006–8129, telephone: (202) 219–7035, fax: (202) 219–7005, or email: Carol.Griffiths@ed.gov. 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: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this 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 may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education, delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 2013–25736 Filed 10–29–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Open Forum on College Value and Affordability and College Ratings System Office of the Under Secretary, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In August 2013, President Barack Obama outlined the Administration’s plans and proposals for combating rising college costs and making college affordable for American families. As part of an effort to gather public input about these proposals, and in particular the development of a college ratings system, the Department has scheduled four open forums around the country. At each open forum, a senior Administration official will be present to introduce the themes and key questions about the college value and affordability agenda and to receive feedback about the development of a college ratings system. Forum participants are welcome to share their views on measuring value and affordability, and in particular on the metrics and weighting of the ratings system. DATES: The open forums will be held: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at The California State UniversityDominguez Hills, Los Angeles, CA; • Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at George Mason University, Arlington, VA; • Friday, November 15, 2013, at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA; and • Thursday, November 21, 2013, at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. All forums are open to the public. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments regarding the Administration’s proposals by electronic mail or by U.S. Mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Submit electronic mail to collegefeedback@ed.gov. If you mail or deliver your comments, address them to Josh Henderson, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 7E313, Washington, DC 20202– 0001. Privacy Note: The Department’s policy is to make all comments received from members of the public available. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly available. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information, including information about the process for collecting public input, contact: Josh Henderson, Office of the Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453–7239 or by email: josh.henderson@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 8339. If you have difficulty understanding English you may request language assistance services for Department information that is available to the public. These language assistance services are available free of charge. If you need more information about interpretation or translation services, please call 1–800–USA–LEARN (1–800– 872–5327) (TTY: 1–800–437–0833), or email us at: Ed.Language.Assistance@ ed.gov. Or write to: U.S. Department of Education, Information Resource Center, LBJ Education Building, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20202–0001. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background A higher education is one of the most important investments individuals can make in their futures. At the same time, higher education has never been more expensive. College tuition keeps rising. E:\FR\FM\30OCN1.SGM 30OCN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 210 / Wednesday, October 30, 2013 / Notices The average tuition at a public four-year college has increased by more than 250 percent over the past three decades, while incomes for families in the middle three quintiles (that is, incomes ranging from $27,219 to $115,896) grew by only 7, 14, and 24 percent respectively, according to data from the College Board and the U.S. Census. Declining state funding has forced students to shoulder a higher proportion of college costs, and tuition has almost doubled as a share of public college revenues over the past 25 years, growing from 25 percent to 47 percent, according to data from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. While a college education remains a worthwhile investment overall, the average borrower now graduates with more than $26,000 in debt. Only 58 percent of firsttime, full-time students who began college in 2004 earned a four-year degree within six years. Loan default rates are rising, and too many young adults are burdened with debt as they seek to start a family, buy a home, launch a business, or save for retirement. In August 2013, President Obama outlined his agenda for combating rising college costs and making college affordable for American families. His plan will measure college performance through a new ratings system so students and families have the information to select schools that provide the best value. After this ratings system is well established, Congress can tie Federal student aid to college performance so that students maximize their Federal aid at institutions providing the best value. The plan will also promote innovation and competition by taking down barriers that stand in their way and shining a light on the most cutting-edge college practices and new technologies for providing high value at low costs. And to help student borrowers struggling with their existing debt, the President is committed to ensuring that all borrowers who need it can have access to the Pay As You Earn plan that caps loan payments at 10 percent of income. Additional information on the proposals is available in the ‘‘FACT SHEET on the President’s Plan to Make College More Affordable: A Better Bargain for the Middle Class,’’ which is posted online at www.whitehouse.gov/ the-press-office/2013/08/22/fact-sheetpresident-s-plan-make-college-moreaffordable-better-bargain-. Open Forum Arrangements Please check for updated information on the forum locations, logistics, and other outreach activities, at www.ed.gov. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 Oct 29, 2013 Jkt 232001 Individuals desiring to present comments or feedback at an open forum must register by sending an email at least three days prior to the open forum to collegefeedback@ed.gov with the subject ‘‘Open Forum Registration.’’ It is likely that each participant will be limited to five minutes for comments. The Department will notify registrants of the location and time slot reserved for them. An individual may make only one presentation at the open forums. If we receive more registrations than we are able to accommodate, the Department reserves the right to reject the registration of an entity or individual that is affiliated with an entity or individual that is already scheduled to present comments and to select among registrants to ensure that a broad range of entities and individuals is allowed to present. We will accept walk-in registrations for any remaining time slots on a first-come, first-served basis at the Department’s on-site registration table. Transcripts from the open forums will be made available on the www.ed.gov Web site for public viewing. Speakers may also submit written comments. Please see the ADDRESSES section for instructions. Other Feedback In addition to the open forums, the Department will seek input in a variety of venues and formats. During the months of October, November, and December 2013, the Department will host town halls and roundtables, and it will participate in events organized by other organizations. We also encourage the public to submit comments. Please see the ADDRESSES section for instructions. Accessible Format Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64931 may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Dated: October 25, 2013. Martha Kanter, Under Secretary of Education. [FR Doc. 2013–25739 Filed 10–29–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee Office of Science, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Open Teleconference. AGENCY: This notice announces an open meeting of the Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee (ASCAC). This meeting replaces the cancelled ASCAC meeting that was to be held in Washington, DC on October 8–9, 2013, due to the government shutdown. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Monday, November 18, 2013; 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) ADDRESSES: The meeting is open to the public. To access the call: 1. Dial Toll-Free Number: 866–740– 1260 (U.S. & Canada) 2. International participants dial: https://www.readytalk.com/intl 3. Enter access code 8083012, followed by ‘‘#’’ To ensure we have sufficient access lines for the public, we request that members of the public notify the DFO, Christine Chalk, that you intend to callinto the meeting via email at: christine.chalk@science.doe.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melea Baker, Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research; SC–21/ Germantown Building; U. S. Department of Energy; 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–1290; Telephone (301) 903–7486, (Email: Melea.Baker@science.doe.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of this meeting is to provide advice and guidance on a continuing basis to the Department of Energy on scientific priorities within the field of advanced scientific computing research. Tentative Agenda Topics: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30OCN1.SGM 30OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64930-64931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25739]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Open Forum on College Value and Affordability and College Ratings 
System

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In August 2013, President Barack Obama outlined the 
Administration's plans and proposals for combating rising college costs 
and making college affordable for American families. As part of an 
effort to gather public input about these proposals, and in particular 
the development of a college ratings system, the Department has 
scheduled four open forums around the country. At each open forum, a 
senior Administration official will be present to introduce the themes 
and key questions about the college value and affordability agenda and 
to receive feedback about the development of a college ratings system. 
Forum participants are welcome to share their views on measuring value 
and affordability, and in particular on the metrics and weighting of 
the ratings system.

DATES: The open forums will be held:
     Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at The California State 
University-Dominguez Hills, Los Angeles, CA;
     Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at George Mason University, 
Arlington, VA;
     Friday, November 15, 2013, at the University of Northern 
Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA; and
     Thursday, November 21, 2013, at Louisiana State 
University, Baton Rouge, LA.
    All forums are open to the public.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments regarding the Administration's 
proposals by electronic mail or by U.S. Mail, commercial delivery, or 
hand delivery. Submit electronic mail to collegefeedback@ed.gov. If you 
mail or deliver your comments, address them to Josh Henderson, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 7E313, 
Washington, DC 20202-0001.
    Privacy Note: The Department's policy is to make all comments 
received from members of the public available. Therefore, commenters 
should be careful to include in their comments only information that 
they wish to make publicly available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information, including information 
about the process for collecting public input, contact: Josh Henderson, 
Office of the Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7239 or 
by email: josh.henderson@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
    If you have difficulty understanding English you may request 
language assistance services for Department information that is 
available to the public. These language assistance services are 
available free of charge. If you need more information about 
interpretation or translation services, please call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-
800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-437-0833), or email us at: 
Ed.Language.Assistance@ed.gov. Or write to: U.S. Department of 
Education, Information Resource Center, LBJ Education Building, 400 
Maryland Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20202-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A higher education is one of the most important investments 
individuals can make in their futures. At the same time, higher 
education has never been more expensive. College tuition keeps rising.

[[Page 64931]]

The average tuition at a public four-year college has increased by more 
than 250 percent over the past three decades, while incomes for 
families in the middle three quintiles (that is, incomes ranging from 
$27,219 to $115,896) grew by only 7, 14, and 24 percent respectively, 
according to data from the College Board and the U.S. Census. Declining 
state funding has forced students to shoulder a higher proportion of 
college costs, and tuition has almost doubled as a share of public 
college revenues over the past 25 years, growing from 25 percent to 47 
percent, according to data from the State Higher Education Executive 
Officers Association. While a college education remains a worthwhile 
investment overall, the average borrower now graduates with more than 
$26,000 in debt. Only 58 percent of first-time, full-time students who 
began college in 2004 earned a four-year degree within six years. Loan 
default rates are rising, and too many young adults are burdened with 
debt as they seek to start a family, buy a home, launch a business, or 
save for retirement.
    In August 2013, President Obama outlined his agenda for combating 
rising college costs and making college affordable for American 
families. His plan will measure college performance through a new 
ratings system so students and families have the information to select 
schools that provide the best value. After this ratings system is well 
established, Congress can tie Federal student aid to college 
performance so that students maximize their Federal aid at institutions 
providing the best value. The plan will also promote innovation and 
competition by taking down barriers that stand in their way and shining 
a light on the most cutting-edge college practices and new technologies 
for providing high value at low costs. And to help student borrowers 
struggling with their existing debt, the President is committed to 
ensuring that all borrowers who need it can have access to the Pay As 
You Earn plan that caps loan payments at 10 percent of income.
    Additional information on the proposals is available in the ``FACT 
SHEET on the President's Plan to Make College More Affordable: A Better 
Bargain for the Middle Class,'' which is posted online at 
www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/22/fact-sheet-president-s-plan-make-college-more-affordable-better-bargain-.

Open Forum Arrangements

    Please check for updated information on the forum locations, 
logistics, and other outreach activities, at www.ed.gov. Individuals 
desiring to present comments or feedback at an open forum must register 
by sending an email at least three days prior to the open forum to 
collegefeedback@ed.gov with the subject ``Open Forum Registration.'' It 
is likely that each participant will be limited to five minutes for 
comments. The Department will notify registrants of the location and 
time slot reserved for them. An individual may make only one 
presentation at the open forums. If we receive more registrations than 
we are able to accommodate, the Department reserves the right to reject 
the registration of an entity or individual that is affiliated with an 
entity or individual that is already scheduled to present comments and 
to select among registrants to ensure that a broad range of entities 
and individuals is allowed to present. We will accept walk-in 
registrations for any remaining time slots on a first-come, first-
served basis at the Department's on-site registration table. 
Transcripts from the open forums will be made available on the 
www.ed.gov Web site for public viewing. Speakers may also submit 
written comments. Please see the ADDRESSES section for instructions.

Other Feedback

    In addition to the open forums, the Department will seek input in a 
variety of venues and formats. During the months of October, November, 
and December 2013, the Department will host town halls and roundtables, 
and it will participate in events organized by other organizations. We 
also encourage the public to submit comments. Please see the ADDRESSES 
section for instructions.

Accessible Format

    Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an 
accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact 
disc) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

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: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. 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 may also access documents of 
the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article 
search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the 
advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to 
documents published by the Department.

    Dated: October 25, 2013.
Martha Kanter,
Under Secretary of Education.
[FR Doc. 2013-25739 Filed 10-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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