ADDITIONAL regulatory flexibilities related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Author
Office of Postsecondary Education
Subject
ADDITIONAL regulatory flexibilities related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department understands that postsecondary institutions and their students continue to face challenges because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This guidance provides additional regulatory flexibilities in accordance with President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 on March 13, 2020 and the authority provided to the Secretary of Education in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Pub. L. No. 116-136, signed by the President on March 27, 2020. We will continue to provide additional guidance on our COVID-19 webpage as needed.

Campus and Fire Safety (34 CFR 668.41(e), 668.46(b), and 668.49(b))

The Department is extending the date for institutions to distribute their Annual Security Reports (ASRs) and Annual Fire Safety Reports (AFSRs) to required recipients to December 31, 2020. We encourage institutions to distribute their reports on the normal schedule if possible.

Additionally, the annual crime and fire statistics survey will now be open from November 18, 2020 through January 14, 2021. If you need assistance with the survey, please call the Campus Safety Help Desk at 1-800-435-5985 or by email at campussafetyhelp@westat.com.

The Department encourages schools to take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their students and employees, to continue to act in accordance with their campus safety policies and procedures, and to advise the campus community about changing conditions that may affect their safety or any major changes to safety policies or practices.

Equity in Athletics Disclosures (34 CFR 668.41(g) and 668.47(c))

The Department is extending the date for institutions to distribute annual Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) disclosures to required recipients to December 31, 2020. We encourage institutions to provide these disclosures on the normal schedule if possible.

Additionally, the online EADA Survey will now open from December 2, 2020 through January 28, 2021. If you need assistance with the survey, please contact the EADA Help Desk at 1-888-233-5421 or via email at eadahelp@westat.com.

Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP)
(34 CFR 673.3)

The Department is extending the deadline for submission of the 2021-2022 FISAP until November 2, 2020. The December 15, 2020 deadline for submission of FISAP edit corrections and the Perkins Cash on Hand Update remains unchanged.