The Association of American Universities has requested the U.S. Department of Energy to withdraw five Direct Final Rules issued on May 16, 2025, citing concerns over increased burden and confusion for students, staff, and faculty at U.S. colleges and universities.
Dear Secretary Wright,
On behalf of the Association of American Universities – an association of 69 major U.S. research institutions – I am writing to endorse the American Council on Education’s position expressed in a letter dated June 16, 2025, regarding the five Direct Final Rules (DFRs) issued on May 16, 2025 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The proposed rules will inevitably lead to significantly increased burden and confusion, impacting millions of students, staff and faculty at U.S. colleges and universities. It is highly irregular for DOE to seek to amend regulations on key civil rights protections through the DFR process, which is reserved for uncontroversial or insignificant changes.
We request that DOE withdraw these rules immediately and pursue any further action through appropriate administrative processes that allow for adequate public notice and comment.