Student Protection and University Accountability Act

The Student Protection and University Accountability Act aims to significantly increase **transparency** and **accountability** for colleges and universities regarding their civil rights responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, requiring institutions participating in federal student aid programs to establish and publicly disseminate **detailed investigative processes** for complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

These new requirements mandate that institutions designate a Title VI coordinator, provide complainants with **timely notifications** about the status and outcome of their complaints, and maintain **comprehensive records** of all complaints and investigations. Furthermore, institutions must publicly display and distribute educational materials from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) related to Title VI protections. Failure to comply with these provisions for two consecutive years will result in the institution's **ineligibility for federal student aid programs** for at least two subsequent award years.

Beyond institutional requirements, the bill also imposes new obligations on the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. For two years, the OCR Assistant Secretary must provide **bimonthly briefings and written reports** to Congress detailing Title VI complaints received, how they are addressed, and the status of investigations, disaggregated by the basis of alleged discrimination. Crucially, the bill **reforms OCR's complaint handling procedures**, **prohibiting the dismissal or delay of investigations** due to parallel complaints filed by the same or other individuals with external agencies or the institution itself, ensuring more consistent and thorough review of civil rights allegations.