WASHINGTON, D.C. - Citing a desire to continue positive efforts to simplify burdensome regulations in the Higher Education Act, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the Subcommittee on 21^st Century Competitiveness, today unveiled the new FED. UP page on the House Education and the Workforce Committee website. This new web page is part of an effort by the subcommittee to streamline bureaucracy in higher education policy.

            McKeon recently announced a new project to identify needless or overly burdensome regulations called “Upping the Effectiveness of Our Federal Student Aid Programs,” or FED. UP. Today McKeon, along with subcommittee ranking member Patsy Mink (D-HI), announced that the website was now operational and encouraged interested parties to complete the form on the website with any recommendations for streamlining regulations.

            “The input of those in the college and student financial aid community will prove to be invaluable in our efforts to reform these regulations and we are interested in what problems they have with the current system, McKeon said. “We will evaluate their responses as we receive them and likely hold hearings on the proposed changes in the near future. Postsecondary education is vital to the strength of our nation, and this effort will allow us to make the job of educating college students much easier.”

            College presidents were enthusiastic about new efforts to simplify the regulatory process. “Representative Buck McKeon, along with Representative Patsy Mink, has presented us with a great opportunity to disentangle higher education from unworkable and unwieldy federal regulations,” said Janet L. Holmgren, President of Mills College. “I am very enthusiastic about this new initiative, and I hope my colleagues will take full advantage of this chance to design a saner, more rational approach toward meeting higher education's obligation to be accountable for federal funding.”

            Richard C. Atkinson, president, University of California, said he was grateful to Representatives McKeon and Mink for leading the way toward regulatory relief for America's colleges and universities. “Our efforts to keep tuition reasonable and affordable for students are undermined by the enormous compliance costs associated with federal regulations. While we must ensure and document that federal funds are spent properly, the current regulatory morass only increases costs and diverts faculty and staff from more productive activities.”

            The Bush Administration has also pledged to work closely with Congress as a partner in the effort to relieve some of the regulatory burdens in postsecondary education. “President Bush wants to emphasize results and not regulation in our education programs, and the FED. UP effort is another step in the right direction,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. “I commend Chairman McKeon for his leadership in undertaking this project and I look forward to working with him, Ms. Mink and educators from around the country to develop a more efficient and less burdensome regulatory process for administering higher education programs.”

            McKeon was enthusiastic about Secretary Paige’s willingness to take a new look at how the department administers higher education programs. “I look forward to working closely with Secretary Paige and Rep. Mink in this effort to improve the quality of postsecondary education in America by reforming these excessive regulations,” said McKeon.

            To voice your concerns regarding the higher education regulations please go to the FED. UP website at: <http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/107th/education/fedup/>.

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