20 U.S.C. § 1011c: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity

There is established in the Department a National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (in this section referred to as the “Committee”) to assess the process of accreditation and the institutional eligibility and certification of institutions of higher education (as defined in section 1002 of this title ) under subchapter IV. six members shall be appointed by the Secretary; six members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the majority leader of the House of Representatives, and three of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and six members shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, three of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the majority leader of the Senate, and three of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the minority leader of the Senate. on the basis of the individuals’ experience, integrity, impartiality, and good judgment; from among individuals who are representatives of, or knowledgeable concerning, education and training beyond secondary education, representing all sectors and types of institutions of higher education (as defined in section 1002 of this title ); and on the basis of the individuals’ technical qualifications, professional standing, and demonstrated knowledge in the fields of accreditation and administration in higher education. Except as provided in paragraph (5), the term of office of each member of the Committee shall be for six years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made not later than 90 days after the vacancy occurs. If a vacancy occurs in a position to be filled by the Secretary, the Secretary shall publish a Federal Register notice soliciting nominations for the position not later than 30 days after being notified of the vacancy. three years for members appointed under paragraph (1)(A); four years for members appointed under paragraph (1)(B); and six years for members appointed under paragraph (1)(C). The members of the Committee shall select a chairperson from among the members. advise the Secretary with respect to establishment and enforcement of the standards of accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2 of part H of subchapter IV; advise the Secretary with respect to the recognition of a specific accrediting agency or association; advise the Secretary with respect to the preparation and publication of the list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations; advise the Secretary with respect to the eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education under subchapter IV, together with recommendations for improvements in such process; accreditation of institutions of higher education and the certification and eligibility of such institutions; and State licensing responsibilities with respect to such institutions; and carry out such other advisory functions relating to accreditation and institutional eligibility as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation. The Committee shall meet not less often than twice each year, at the call of the Chairperson. The Committee shall submit the date and location of each meeting in advance to the Secretary, and the Secretary shall publish such information in the Federal Register not later than 30 days before the meeting. The agenda for a meeting of the Committee shall be established by the Chairperson and shall be submitted to the members of the Committee upon notification of the meeting. The agenda shall include, at a minimum, opportunity for public comment during the Committee’s deliberations. The Secretary shall designate an employee of the Department to serve as the Secretary’s designee to the Committee, and the Chairperson shall invite the Secretary’s designee to attend all meetings of the Committee. Chapter 10 of title 5 shall apply to the Committee, except that section 1013 of title 5 shall not apply. the member’s name; the date of the expiration of the member’s term of office; and the name of the individual described in subsection (b)(1) who appointed the member; and a solicitation of nominations for each expiring term of office on the Committee of a member appointed by the Secretary. a detailed summary of the agenda and activities of, and the findings and recommendations made by, the Committee during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the report is made; a list of the date and location of each meeting during the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the report is made; a list of the members of the Committee; and a list of the functions of the Committee, including any additional functions established by the Secretary through regulation. The Committee shall terminate on September 30, 2021 . 1 1 See Termination of Committee note below. the term of each member appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity before the date of enactment of this Act shall expire on the date of enactment of this Act; no new members shall be appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on January 31, 2009 ; and no meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity shall be convened during such period.”