Washington, D.C. –Congressman Rick Berg today applauded the passage of the bipartisan Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act, a component of his REGS Agenda that works to remove new regulatory burdens imposed by the Obama administration onto colleges and universities.

The Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act works to prevent federal intrusion into academic affairs, protect student choice in higher education, and reduce the regulatory burden on colleges and universities.  A piece of Berg’s REGS Agenda, this legislation would permanently repeal the unnecessary credit hour and state authorization regulations.

“As we work to ensure that the next generation has access to good paying jobs, it’s important that senseless, costly regulations don’t stand in the way of students achieving higher education and job training,” Berg stated. “As part of my REGS Agenda, I will continue to fight President Obama’s regulatory overreach that prevent North Dakota’s colleges and universities from providing educational services that will help create the next generation of American workers, business owners, and leaders.”

In a letter to Berg, North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani noted that the legislation passed today by the House would repeal the so-called state authorization regulation implemented by the Department of Education in July 2011. 

“The costly regulation is extremely complicated and replaces a straightforward administrative requirement which worked very well,” Bresciani wrote. “This change has the effect of greatly increasing the cost of providing distance education, to the point that some institutions with plans to expand their online offerings have been forced to reconsider.”

“NDSU remains seriously concerned about the rule,” Bresciani added.  “For North Dakota State University, I encourage you to vote ‘yes’ on the bill to repeal credit hour and state authorization rules.  I appreciate your time and attention to this matter which is so important to both our university and our peers nationally.”

Berg launched the REGS Agenda last year as part of his efforts to reduce regulatory red tape, empower states, growth the economy, and stop President Obama’s regulatory overreach.  The product of Berg’s conversations with North Dakotans this past year about the impact of senseless regulations, the REGS Agenda will work to help America’s small businesses create jobs by reining in the overbearing regulations that stand as road blocks to economic growth and job creation and reducing the regulatory uncertainty hanging over America’s small businesses.  More information about Berg’s REGS Agenda may be found here.

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