[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56819-56824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28413]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
32 CFR Part 216
RIN 0790-AG42
Military Recruiting and Reserve Officer Training Corps Program
Access to Institutions of Higher Education
AGENCY: Department of Defense.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Defense promulgates the rule addressing
military recruiting and Reserve Officer Training Corps program access
at institutions of higher education. This rule implements the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, and the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 1997 (the Acts).
The Acts state that no funds available under appropriations acts
for any fiscal year for the Departments of Defense, Transportation
(with respect to military recruiting), Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies may be provided by contract
or grant (including a grant of funds to be available for student aid)
to a covered school that has a policy or practice (regardless of when
implemented) that either prohibits, or in effect prevents, the
Secretary of Defense from obtaining, for military recruiting purposes,
entry to campuses, access to students on campuses, access to directory
information on students, or that has an anti-ROTC policy.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 29, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William J. Carr, (703) 697-8444.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 8, 1997 the Department of Defense
published an interim rule to implement the Acts, and invited public
comments by July 7, 1997 (62 FR 16691). Consistent with the Acts, the
interim rule took effect on March 29, 1997. Public comments were
received and appropriate adjustments were made as reflected in this
final rule.
The Secretary is committed to establishing sound procedures to
implement current statutes, while keeping the regulatory burden to the
minimum necessary to carry out the congressional intent. To that end,
the Department has finalized this rule in consultation with other
Federal agencies, including the Departments of Education, Labor,
Transportation, and Health and Human Services. Agencies affected by
this rule will continue to coordinate as they implement its provisions.
This rule defines the criteria for determining whether an
institution of higher education has a policy or practice prohibiting or
preventing the Secretary of Defense from maintaining, establishing, or
efficiently operating a Senior ROTC unit; or has a policy of denying
military recruiting personnel entry to campuses, access to students on
campuses, or access to directory information on students. The Acts
establish that institutions of higher education having such policies or
practices are ineligible for certain Federal funding.
The criterion of ``efficiently operating a Senior ROTC unit''
refers generally to an expectation that the ROTC Department would be
treated on a par with other academic departments; as such, it would not
be singled out for unreasonable actions that would impede access to
students (and vice versa) or restrict its operations.
This rule also defines the procedures that would be followed in
evaluating reports that a covered school has not met requirements
defined in this rule. When a component of the Department of Defense
(DOD Component) believes that policies or practices of an institution
of higher education might require such an evaluation, that component is
required to confirm the institution's policy in consultation with the
institution. If that exchange suggests that the policy or practice
could trigger a denial of funding, as required by the Acts, the
supporting facts would be forwarded through Department of Defense
channels to the decision authority, who is the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Force Management Policy (ASD(FMP)).
The Department of Defense received and considered comments relating
to this rule. Those comments frequently related to the interplay
between the Acts and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974,
as amended (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g. Commenters have inquired whether
release of student information in response to a request from a military
recruiter would violate FERPA. Commenters pointed out that ``directory
information'' is a term of art under FERPA that triggers particular
responsibilities of the institution regarding the confidentiality of
student information. Depending on the policy of a particular
institution, that term may not necessarily refer to the same
information that may be requested by a military recruiter. Commenters
also pointed out that FERPA provides a mandatory opportunity for a
student to object to release of ``directory information'' designated by
an
[[Page 56820]]
institution, and questioned whether the same opportunity to object must
be provided to a student if a request is received from a military
recruiter.
In response to the basic question of whether providing information
in response to a request from a military recruiter would violate FERPA,
the Department of Education has informed the Department of Defense that
it will not consider provision of responsive student information as
required under the Acts and this rule to violate FERPA. Institutions
must take care, however, to release only that information specifically
required under the Acts and this rule.
The Department of Defense appreciates the comments received
regarding possible confusion from the use of the term ``directory
information'' in the interim rule. Because the term is not synonymous
under FERPA or the Acts, and to avoid possible conflict or confusion,
the final rule substitutes the term ``student recruiting information''
for ``directory information'' as that term was used in the interim
rule.
Regarding the opportunity for a student to ``opt-out'' of or object
to release of ``directory information'' under FERPA, the Department of
Defense provides the following clarification. If an institution
receives a request for student recruiting information, and that request
seeks information that the institution has included in its definition
of ``directory information'' that is releasable under FERPA, and a
student has previously requested that the ``directory information'' not
be disclosed to any third party, the Department of Defense agrees that
information for that student will not be provided to the Department of
Defense. If an institution declines to provide student recruiting
information because a student has ``opted-out'' from the institution's
policy of disclosing ``directory information'' under FERPA, the
Department of Defense will not consider that institution to have denied
access under the Acts. The Department of Defense will honor only those
student ``opt-outs'' from the disclosure of directory information that
are even-handedly applied to all prospective employers seeking
information for recruiting purposes. The Department of Defense will
also honor the ``opt-out'' in cases where the institution's ``directory
information'' definition does not include all of the student recruiting
information requested by the recruiter.
If an institution does not release all of the requested student
recruiting information as part of its ``directory information'' policy
under FERPA (or has a policy of disclosing no ``directory
information''), the institution must nevertheless honor the request
from a military recruiter for student recruiting information on
students who have not ``opted-out'', even if that information would not
be available to the public under FERPA. Because this information is
requested exclusively for military recruiting, a special opportunity
for a student to decline the release of student recruiting information
is not necessary or appropriate.
In carrying out their customary activities, DOD components must
identify any institutions of higher education that, by policy or
practice, denies military recruiting personnel entry to the campus(es)
of those schools, access to their students, or access to student
recruiting information. When repeated requests to schedule recruiting
visits or to obtain student recruiting information are unsuccessful,
the DOD component concerned must seek written confirmation of the
school's present policy from the head of the covered school through a
letter of inquiry, allowing 30 days for response. If written
confirmation cannot be obtained, oral policy statements or attempts to
obtain such statements from an appropriate official of the school shall
be documented. A copy of the documentation shall be provided to the
covered school, which shall be informed of its opportunity to forward
clarifying comments to accompany the DOD component's submission to the
ASD(FMP), and shall be provided 30 day to offer such clarifying
comments. When that 30-day period has elapsed, the DOD component will
forward the case for disposition.
Similarly, in carrying out their customary activities, DOD
components also must identify any institutions of higher education
that, by policy or practice, deny establishment, maintenance, or
efficient operation of a unit of the Senior ROTC, or deny students
permission to participate, or effectively prevent students from
participating in a unit of the Senior ROTC at another institution of
higher education. The DOD component concerned must seek written
confirmation of the school's policy from the head of the covered school
through a letter of inquiry, allowing 30 days for response. If written
confirmation cannot be obtained, oral policy statements or attempts to
obtain such statements from an appropriate official of the school shall
be documented. A copy of the documentation shall be provided to the
covered school, which shall be informed of its opportunity to forward
clarifying comments to accompany the DOD component's submission to the
ASD(FMP), and shall be provided 30 days to offer such clarifying
comments. When that 30-day period has elapsed, the DOD component will
forward the case for disposition.
The recommendation of the DOD component then must be reviewed by
the Secretary of the Military Department concerned, or designee, who
shall evaluate responses to the letter of inquiry and other such
information obtained in accordance with this part, and submit to the
ASD(FMP) the names and addresses of covered schools that are believed
to be in violation of current law. Full documentation must be furnished
to the ASD(FMP) for each such covered school, including the school's
formal response to the letter of inquiry, documentation of any oral
response, or evidence showing that attempts were made to obtain either
written confirmation or an oral statement of the school's policies.
Following any determination by the ASD(FMP) that policies or
practices of an institution of higher education require ineligibility
for certain Federal funding, as required by the Acts, the ASD(FMP)
shall:
Disseminate to Federal entities affected by the decision,
including the DoD components and the General Services Administration
(GSA), the names of the affected institutions. The ASD(FMP) also shall
notify the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee
on National Security of the House of Representatives;
Publish in the Federal Register each such determination,
and publish in the Federal Register at least once every six months a
list of all institutions currently determined to be ineligible for
contracts and grants by reason of such determinations; and
Inform the affected institution that its funding
eligibility may be restored if the school provides sufficient new
information to establish that the basis for the determination no longer
exists.
This rule contains procedures under which funding may be restored.
Not later than 45 days after receipt of a school's request to restore
funding eligibility, the ASD(FMP) must determine whether the funding
status of the covered school should be changed and notify the
applicable school of that determination. Pursuant to that
determination, entities of the Federal government affected by the
decision, including the DoD components and the GSA, shall be notified
of any change in funding status.
[[Page 56821]]
Other Matters
In the event of any determination of ineligibility by the ASD(FMP),
the affected Federal agencies shall determine what funds provided by
grant or contract to the covered school are affected and take
appropriate action. As a result of this division of responsibility and
the large number of Federal agencies affected, this rule does not
detail what specific funds are affected by any determination of
ineligibility.
The Department of Education has provided information on the impact
of the Acts on the programs of student financial assistance under Title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, in a January 1998
``Dear Colleague Letter'' (No. GEN-98-3). That letter is available by
request by calling 800-4FEDAID, or through the Department of
Education's website at ``http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/announce/dcl/
1998/''.
The Secretary of Education has determined that funds under the
Federal Pell Grant Program (Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1), the Federal
Family Education Loan Program (Title IV, Part B), the Federal Direct
Student Loan Program (Title IV, Part D), the William D. Ford Federal
Direct Loan Program (Title IV, Part D), the State Student Incentive
Grant Program (Title IV, Part A, Subpart 4), the Robert C. Byrd Honor
Scholarship Program (Title IV, Part A, Subpart 6), and the National
Early Intervention Scholarship ad Partnership (NEISP) Program (Title
IV, Part A, Subpart 2) are not affected. States that receive NEISP
Program grants may continue to award student scholarships to be
utilized at institutions that have been determined to be ineligible by
the DoD. States may not, however, award sub-grants or contracts for
NEISP services to such institutions.
The Secretary of Education has determined that funds under the
following programs are affected: the Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grant Program (Title IV, Part A, Subpart 3), the Federal
Work-Study Program (Title IV, Part C), and the Federal Perkins Loan
Program (Title IV, Part E). Collectively referred to as the campus-
based programs, these three programs depend on institutional
applications for funding. Once funds are received, the institution
determines which students will receive allotted funds, within statutory
and regulatory guidelines. Thus, for the purposes of this rule, these
funds are considered to be grants to the institution.
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''
It has been determined that this final rule is not a significant
regulatory action for OMB review since the consequences outlined in
Executive Order 12866 are not likely to occur, given the historically
infrequent occurrence of denial of funding to institutions of higher
education under this rule.
Pub. L. 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)
The Secretary certifies that these proposed regulations would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities since recent history indicates that its provisions are not
applicable to the vast majority of institutions of higher education.
Pub. L. 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)
This final rule will not impose any additional reporting or record
keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 216
Armed forces, Colleges and universities.
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 216 is revised to read as follows:
PART 216--MILITARY RECRUITING AND RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS
PROGRAM ACCESS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Sec.
216.1 Purpose.
216.2 Applicability.
216.3 Definitions.
216.4 Policy.
216.5 Responsibilities.
216.6 Information requirements.
Appendix A of part 216--Military Recruiting Sample Letter of Inquiry
Appendix B of part 216--ROTC Sample Letter of Inquiry.
Authority: 10 U.S.C. 983.
Sec. 216.1 Purpose.
This part:
(a) Implements the National Defense Authorization Act of 1995 (108
Stat. 2663),
(b) Implements 10 U.S.C. 983, and
(c) Implements the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997
(110 Stat. 3009).
(d) Updates policy and responsibilities relating to the management
of covered schools that have a policy of either denying, or effectively
preventing military recruiting personnel entry to their campuses,
access to their students, or access to student recruiting information.
(e) Updates policy and responsibilities relating to the management
of covered schools that have an anti-ROTC policy.
Sec. 216.2 Applicability.
This part applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the
Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the
Combatant Commands, the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities
(hereafter referred to collectively as ``the DoD components''). The
policies herein also affect the Departments of Transportation, Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. The term
``Military Services,'' as used herein, refers to the Army, the Navy,
the Marine Corps, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard, including their
Reserve or National Guard components. The term ``Related Agencies,'' as
used herein, refers to the Armed Forces Retirement Home, the
Corporation for National and Community Service, the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,
the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the National
Commission on Libraries and Information Science, the National Council
on Disability, the National Education Goals Panel, the National Labor
Relations Board, the National Mediation Board, the Occupational Safety
and Health Review Commission, the Physician Payment Review Commission,
the Prospective payment Assessment Commission, the Social Security
Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board and the United States
Institute of Peace.
Sec. 216.3 Definitions.
(a) Anti-ROTC policy. A policy or practice whereby a covered school
prohibits or in effect prevents the Secretary of Defense from
maintaining, establishing, or efficiently operating a unit of the
Senior ROTC at the covered school, or prohibits or in effect prevents a
student at the covered school from enrolling in a Senior ROTC unit at
another institution of higher education.
(b) Covered school. An institution of higher education, or a
subelement of an institution of higher education, subject to the
following clarifications:
(1) In the event of a determination (Sec. 216.5) affecting only a
subelement of a parent institution (see Sec. 216.3(d)), the limitations
on the use of funds (Sec. 216.4(a) and (b)) shall apply only to the
subelement and not to the parent institution as a whole.
(2) The limitations on the use of funds (Sec. 216.4(a) and (b))
shall not apply to any individual institution of higher
[[Page 56822]]
education that is part of a single university system if that individual
institution does not prevent entry to campus, access to students, or
access to student recruiting information by military recruiters, or
have an anti-ROTC policy, even though another campus of the same system
is affected by a determination under Sec. 216.5(a).
(c) Student recruiting information. For those currently enrolled,
the student's name, address, telephone listing, age (or year of birth),
level of education (e.g., freshman, sophomore, or degree awarded for a
recent graduate), and major.
(d) Institution of higher education. A domestic college,
university, or other institution (or subelement thereof) providing
postsecondary school courses of study, including foreign campuses of
such domestic institutions. The term includes junior colleges,
community colleges, and institutions providing courses leading to
undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. The term does not include
entities that operate exclusively outside the United States, its
territories, and possessions. A subelement of an institution of higher
education is a discrete (although not necessarily autonomous)
organizational entity that may establish policies or practices
affecting military recruiting and related actions (e.g., an
undergraduate school, a law school, a medical school, or other graduate
schools). For example, the School of Law of XYZ University is a
subelement of its parent institution (XYZ University).
(e) Student. An individual who is 17 years of age or older and is
enrolled at a covered school.
(f) Enrolled. Registered for a least one credit hour of academic
credit at the covered school during the most-recent, current, or next
term.
(g) Military recruiters. Personnel of DoD whose current assignment
or detail is to a recruiting activity of the DoD.
(h) Pacifism. Opposition to war or violence, demonstrated by
refusal to participate in military service.
Sec. 216.4 Policy.
It is policy that:
(a) Under 108 Stat. 2663 and 110 Stat. 3009, no funds available
under appropriations acts for any fiscal year for the Departments of
Defense, Transportation (with respect to military recruiting), Labor,
Health and Human and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
may be provided by contract or by grant (including a grant of funds to
be available for student aid) to a covered school if the Secretary of
Defense determines that the covered school has a policy or practice
(regardless of when implemented) that either prohibits or in effect
prevents the Secretary of Defense from obtaining, for military
recruiting purposes, entry to campuses, access to students on campuses,
or access to directory information on students (student recruiting
information).
(b) Under 110 Stat. 3009, no funds available under appropriations
acts for any fiscal year for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies may be provided by contract
or grant (including a grant of funds to be available for student aid)
to a covered school that has an anti-ROTC policy or practice
(regardless of when implemented). Additionally, under 10 U.S.C. 983, no
funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Defense
may be made obligated by contract or by grant to a covered school that
has such a policy or practice.
(c) The limitations established in paragraph (a) of this section,
shall not apply to a covered school if the Secretary of Defense
determines that the covered school:
(1) Has ceased the policies or practices defined in paragraph (a)
of this section;
(2) Has a long-standing policy of pacifism based on historical
religious affiliation;
(3) When not providing requested access to campuses or to students
on campus, certifies that all employers are similarly excluded from
recruiting on the premises of the covered school, or presents evidence
that the degree of access by military recruiters is at least equal in
quality and scope to that afforded to other employers;
(4) When not providing any student recruiting information,
certifies that such information is not maintained by the covered
school; or that such information already has been provided to the
Military Service concerned for that current semester, trimester,
quarter, or other academic term, or within the past four months (for
institutions without academic terms);
(5) When not providing student recruiting information for specific
students, certifies that each student concerned has formally requested
the covered school to withhold this information from third parties;
(6) Permits employers to recruit on the premises of the covered
school only in response to an expression of student interest, and the
covered school;
(i) Provides the Military Services with the same opportunities to
inform the students of military recruiting activities as are available
to other employers; or
(ii) Certifies that too few students have expressed an interest to
warrant accommodating military recruiters, applying the same criteria
that are applicable to other employers; or
(7) Is prohibited by the law of any State, or by the order of any
State court, from allowing Federal military recruiting on campus. Such
exemption does not apply to funds available to the Department of
Defense, in accordance with 108 Stat. 2663.
Note: This exemption terminated effective March 29, 1998, in
accordance with 110 Stat. 3009.
(d) The limitations established in paragraph (b) of this section,
shall not apply to a covered school if the Secretary of Defense
determines that the covered school:
(1) Has ceased the policies or practices defined in paragraph (b)
of this section;
(2) Has a long-standing policy of pacifism based on historical
religious affiliation;
(3) Is prohibited by the law of any State, or by the order of any
State court, from allowing Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps
activities on campus. Such exemption does not apply to funds available
to the Department of Defense, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 983.
Note: This exemption terminated effective March 29, 1998, in
accordance with 110 Stat. 3009.
(e) A covered school may charge for actual costs incurred in
providing military recruiters access to student recruiting information,
provided such charges are reasonable and customary; in this case, the
school must explain to the military recruiter, within 15 days of a
request by the recruiter, its method for determining costs, and its
basis for concluding that such charges are reasonable and customary.
(f) An evaluation to determine whether a covered school maintains a
policy or practice covered by paragraph (a) of this section shall be
undertaken when:
(1) Military recruiting personnel cannot gain entry to campus,
cannot obtain access to students on campus, or are denied access to
student recruiting information (however, military recruiting personnel
shall accommodate a covered school's reasonable preferences as to times
and places for scheduling on-campus recruiting, to the same extent such
preferences are applicable to employers, generally);
(2) The costs being charged by the school for providing student
recruiting information are believed by the military recruiter to be
excessive, and the school does not provide information sufficient
[[Page 56823]]
to support a conclusion that such charges are reasonable and customary;
or
(3) The covered school is unwilling to declare in writing, in
response to an inquiry from a DoD component, that the covered school
does not have a policy or practice of denying, and that it does not
effectively prevent, the Secretary of Defense from obtaining for
military recruiting purposes entry to campuses, access to students on
campuses, or access to student recruiting information.
(g) An evaluation to determine whether a covered school has an
anti-ROTC policy covered by paragraph (b) of this section shall be
undertaken when:
(1) A Secretary of a Military Department of designee cannot obtain
permission to establish, maintain, or efficiently operate a unit of the
Senior ROTC; or
(2) Absent a Senior ROTC unit at the covered school, students
cannot obtain permission from a covered school to participate, or are
effectively prevented from participating, in a unit of the Senior ROTC
at another institution of higher education.
Sec. 216.5 Responsibilities.
(a) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy,
under the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
shall:
(1) Not later than 45 days after receipt of the information
described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section:
(i) Make a final determination under 108 Stat. 2663, 10 U.S.C.,
section 983; and 110 Stat. 3009 and/or this part, and notify any
affected school of that determination along with the basis, and that it
is therefore ineligible to receive prescribed funds as a result of that
determination.
(ii) Disseminate to Federal agencies affected by 110 Stat. 3009, to
the DoD components, and to the General Services Administration (GSA)
the names of covered schools identified under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of
this section, and the basis of the determination.
(iii) Disseminate the names of covered schools identified under
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, to the Secretary of Education and
to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on
National Security of the House of Representatives.
(iv) Inform the applicable school identified under paragraph
(a)(1)(i) of this section, that its funding eligibility may be restored
if the school provides sufficient new information that the basis for
the determination under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section no longer
exists.
(2) Not later than 45 days after receipt of a covered school's
request to restore its eligibility:
(i) Determine whether the funding status of the covered school
should be changed, and notify the applicable school of that
determination.
(ii) Notify the parties reflected in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and
(iii) of this section when a determination of funding ineligibility
(paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section) has been rescinded.
(3) Publish in the Federal Register each determination of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy that a
covered school is ineligible for contracts and grants made under 108
Stat. 2663, 10 U.S.C., section 983, and 110 Stat. 3009 and/or this
part.
(4) Publish in the Federal Register at least once every six months
a list of covered schools that are ineligible for contracts and grants
by reason of a determination of the Secretary of Defense under 108
Stat. 2663, 10 U.S.C., section 983, and 110 Stat. 3009 and/or this
part.
(b) The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall:
(1) Identify covered schools that, by policy or practice, deny
military recruiting personnel entry to the campus(es) of those schools,
access to their students, or access to student recruiting information.
(i) When requests by military recruiters to schedule recruiting
visits or to obtain student recruiting information are unsuccessful,
the Military Service concerned shall seek written confirmation of the
school's present policy from the head of the school through a letter of
inquiry. A letter similar to that shown in appendix A of this part
shall be used, but it should be tailored to the situation presented. If
written confirmation cannot be obtained, oral policy statements or
attempts to obtain such statements from an appropriate official of the
school shall be documented. A copy of the documentation shall be
provided to the covered school, which shall be informed of its
opportunity to forward clarifying comments to accompany the submission
to the ASD(FMP), and shall be provided 30 days to offer such clarifying
comments.
(ii) When a request for student recruiting information is not
fulfilled within a reasonable period, normally 30 days, a letter
similar to that shown in appendix A of this part shall be used to
communicate the problem to the school, and the inquiry shall be managed
as described in Sec. 216.5.(b)(1)(i). Schools may stipulate that
requests for student recruiting information shall be in writing.
(2) Identify covered schools that, by policy or practice, deny
establishment, maintenance, or efficient operation of a unit of the
Senior ROTC, or deny students permission to participate, or effectively
prevent students from participating in a unit of the Senior ROTC at
another institution of higher education. The Military Service concerned
shall seek written confirmation of the school's policy from the head of
the school through a letter of inquiry. A letter similar to that shown
in appendix B of this part shall be used, but it should be tailored to
the situation presented. If written confirmation cannot be obtained,
oral policy statements or attempts to obtain such statements from an
appropriate official of the school shall be documented. A copy of the
documentation shall be provided to the covered school, which shall be
informed of its opportunity to forward clarifying comments to accompany
the submission to the ASD(FMP), and shall be provided 30 days to offer
such clarifying comments.
(3) Evaluate responses to the letter of inquiry, and other such
evidence obtained in accordance with this part, and submit to the
ASD(FMP) the names and addresses of covered schools that are believed
to be in violation of policies established in Sec. 216.4. Full
documentation shall be furnished to the ASD(FMP) for each such covered
school, including the school's formal response to the letter of
inquiry, documentation of any oral response, or evidence showing that
attempts were made to obtain either written confirmation or an oral
statement of the school's policies.
(c) The Heads of the DoD components shall:
(1) Provide the ASD(FMP) with the names and addresses of covered
schools identified as a result of evaluation(s) required under
Secs. 216.4(f) and (g).
(2) Take immediate action to deny obligations of DoD Funds to
covered schools identified under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section,
and to restore eligibility of covered schools identified under
paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
Sec. 216.6 Information requirements.
The information requirements identified at Secs. 216.5 (b) and
(c)(1) have been assigned Report Control Symbol P&R-(AR)-2038 in
accordance with DoD 8910.1-M.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Copies may be obtained, at cost, from the National Technical
Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 56824]]
Appendix A of Part 216--Military Recruiting Sample Letter of
Inquiry
(Tailor letter to situation presented)
Dr. John Doe
President
ABC College
Anywhere, USA 12345-9876
Dear Dr. Doe: I understand that military recruiting personnel
(are unable to recruit on the campus of ABC College) (have been
refused student recruiting information \1\ on ABC College students
for the purpose of military recruiting) by a policy or practice of
the College. Current law \2\ prohibits funds by grant or contract
(includng a grant of funds to be available for student aid) from
appropriations of the Departments of Defense, Transportation (with
respect to military recruiting), Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies to schools that have a policy or
practice of denying military recruiting personnel entry to campuses,
access to students on campuses, or access to student recruiting
information. Implementing regulations are codified at 32 Code of
Federal Regulations, part 216.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Student recruiting information refers to a student's name,
address, telephone listing, age (or year or birth), level of
education (e.g., freshman, sophomore, or degree awarded for a recent
graduate), and major.
\2\ 108 Stat. 2663 and 110 Stat. 3009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This letter provides you an opportunity to clarify your
institution's policy regarding military recruiting on the campus of
ABC College. In that regard, I request, within the next 30 days, a
written policy statement of the institution with respect to access
to campus and students, and to student recruiting information by
military recruiting personnel.
Your response should highlight any difference between access for
military recruiters and access for recruiting by other potential
employers.
Based on this information, Department of Defense officials will
make a determination as to your institution's eligiblity to receive
funds by grant or contract. That decision may affect eligiblity for
funding from appropriations of the Departments of Defense,
Transportation, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies. Should it be determined that ABC College is in
violation of the aforementioned statutes, such funding would be
stopped, and the school would be ineligible to receive such funds in
the future.
I regret that this action may have to be taken. Successful
recruiting requires that Department of Defense recruiters have
reasonable access to students on the campuses of colleges and
universities, and at the same time have effective relationships with
the officials and student bodies of those institutions. I hope it
will be possible to (define the correction to the aforementioned
problem area(s). I am available to answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Appendix B of Part 216--ROTC Sample Letter of Inquiry
(Tailor Letter to Situation Presented)
Dr. Jane Smith
President
ABC College
Anywhere, USA 12345-9876
Dear Dr. Smith: I understand that ABC College has (refused a
request from a Military Department to establish a Senior ROTC unit
at your institution) (refused to continue existing ROTC programs at
your institution) (prevented students from participation at a Senior
ROTC program at another institution) by a policy or practice of the
College. Current law \1\ prohibits funds by grant or contract
(including a grant of funds to be available for student aid) from
appropriations of the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and
Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to schools that have
a policy or practice prohibiting or preventing the Secretary of
Defense from maintaining, establishing, or efficiently operating a
Senior ROTC unit. Those statutes also bar agency funds for schools
that prohibit or prevent a student from enrolling in an ROTC unit at
another institution of higher education. Implementing regulations
are codified at 32 Code of Federal Regulations, part 216.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 10 U.S.C. 983 and 110 Stat. 3009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This letter provides you an opportunity to clarify your
institution's policy regarding ROTC access on the campus of ABC
College. In that regard, I request, within the next 30 days, a
written statement of the institution with respect to (define the
problem area(s)).
Based on this information, Department of Defense officials will
make a determination as to your institution's eligibility to receive
funds by grant or contract. The decision may affect eligibility for
funding from appropriations of the Departments of Defense, Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Should
it be determined that ABC College is in violation of the
aforementioned statutes, such funding would be stopped, and the
school would be ineligible to receive such funds in the future.
I regret that this action may have to be taken. Successful
officer procurement requires that the Department of Defense maintain
a strong ROTC program. I hope it will be possible to (define the
correction to the aforementioned problem area(s)). I am available to
answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Dated: October 19, 1998.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 98-28413 Filed 10-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M
