01-25665. National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (National Advisory Committee); Meeting

AGENCY:

National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, Department of Education.

What Is the Purpose of This Notice?

The purpose of this notice is to announce the public meeting of the National Advisory Committee and invite third-party oral presentations before the Committee. This notice also presents the proposed agenda and informs the public of its opportunity to attend this meeting. The notice of this meeting is required under section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

When and Where Will the Meeting Take Place?

We will hold the public meeting on December 10, 2001 from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., and on December 11, 2001 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Swissôtel Washington (The Watergate), 2650 Virginia Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20037. You may call the hotel at [phone] or fax the hotel at [phone] to inquire about rooms.

What Assistance Will Be Provided to Individuals With Disabilities?

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.

Who Is the Contact Person for the Meeting?

Please contact Ms. Bonnie LeBold, the Executive Director of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, if you have questions about the meeting. You may contact her at the U.S. Department of Education, room 7007, MS 7592, 1990 K St., NW., Washington, DC 20006, telephone: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

What Is the Authority for the National Advisory Committee?

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity is established under Section 114 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1011c.

What Are the Functions of the National Advisory Committee?

The Committee advises the Secretary of Education about:

• The establishment and enforcement of the criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2 of part H of Title IV, HEA.
• The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or associations.
• 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, HEA.
• The development of standards and criteria for specific categories of vocational training institutions and institutions of higher education for which there are no recognized accrediting agencies, associations, or State agencies in order to establish the interim eligibility of those institutions to participate in Federally funded programs.
• 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 functions relating to accreditation and institutional eligibility that the Secretary may prescribe.

What Items Will Be on the Agenda for Discussion at the Meeting?

Agenda topics will include the review of agencies that have submitted petitions for initial recognition or renewal of recognition or request for an expansion of scope.

What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting?

The Advisory Committee will review the following agencies during its December 10-11, 2001 meeting.

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petition for Initial Recognition

1. Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs that award postsecondary certificates, diplomas, and degrees in the practice of massage therapy.)

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

1. Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, Commission on Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation”) of Bible colleges and institutes offering undergraduate programs.)

2. American Academy for Liberal Education (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation”) of institutions of higher education and programs within institutions of higher education that offer liberal arts degrees at the baccalaureate level or a documented equivalency.)

3. American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation” status) of programs for the preparation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation') of physical therapist education programs leading to the first professional degree at the master's or doctoral level and physical therapist assistant education programs at the associate degree level, including the use of distance education.)

4. American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (“Reasonable Assurance”) of programs leading to professional degrees (D.V.M. or D.M.V.) in veterinary medicine.)

5. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of clinical pastoral education (CPE) centers and CPE and supervisory CPE programs.)

6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of nursing education programs at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.)

7. Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of private and non-private distance education institutions offering non-degree and associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree programs primarily through the distance learning method. Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of private and non-private distance education institutions offering non-degree and associate, baccalaureate, master's, and first professional degree programs primarily through the distance learning method.)

8. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate and higher degree nurse education programs.)

Petition for an Expansion of Scope

1. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions of higher education that offer non-collegiate continuing education programs. Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions of higher education that offer non-collegiate continuing education programs and occupational associate degrees (Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.))

Who Can Make Third-Party Oral Presentations at This Meeting?

We invite you to make a third-party oral presentation before the National Advisory Committee concerning the recognition of any agency published in this notice.

How Do I Request To Make an Oral Presentation?

You must submit a written request to make an oral presentation concerning an agency listed in this notice to the contact person so that the request is received no later than November 16, 2001. Your request (no more than 6 pages maximum) should include:

• The names, addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of all persons seeking an appearance,
• The organization they represent, and
• A brief summary of the principal points to be made during the oral presentation.

If you wish, you may attach documents illustrating the main points of your oral testimony. Please keep in mind, however, that any attachments are included in the 6-page limit.

Please do not send materials directly to Committee members. Only materials submitted by the deadline to the contact person listed in this notice and in accordance with these instructions become part of the official record and are considered by the Committee in its deliberations. Documents received after the November 16, 2001 deadline will not be distributed to the Advisory Committee for their consideration. Individuals making oral presentations may not distribute written materials at the meeting.

If I Cannot Attend the Meeting, Can I Submit Written Comments Regarding an Accrediting Agency in Lieu of Making an Oral Presentation?

This notice requests third-party oral testimony, not written comment. A request for written comments on agencies that are being reviewed during this meeting was published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2001. The Advisory Committee will receive and consider only written comments submitted by the deadline specified in that Federal Register notice.

How Do I Request To Present Comments Regarding General Issues Rather Than Specific Accrediting Agencies?

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Committee, at its discretion, may invite attendees to address the Committee briefly on issues pertaining to the functions of the Committee, which are listed earlier in this notice. If you are interested in making such comments, you should inform Ms. LeBold before or during the meeting.

How May I Obtain Access to the Records of the Meeting?

We will record the meeting and make a transcript available for public inspection at the U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K St., NW., Washington, DC 20006 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. It is preferred that an appointment be made in advance of such inspection.

How May I Obtain Electronic Access to This Document?

You may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/​legislation/​FedRegister.

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at [phone].

Note:

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 on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/​nara/​index.html.

Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

Dated: October 5, 2001.

Maureen McLaughlin,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation Office of Postsecondary Education.