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Dear Colleague: I want to bring you up to date on the Council's response to the announcement in the Federal Register on July 3 regarding the Department of Education's attempt to impose new restrictions on student eligibility for Upward Bound. COE views this attempt by the Department as illegitimate - an encroachment on both Congressional and institutional authority - that must be stopped. We believe this proposal is simply another attack by the Bush Administration in its efforts to kill Upward Bound. Since the publication of the announcement, the Council has been working with Congress, as well as with the major higher education associations to oppose implementation of this priority. We are pleased to report that our arguments have been very well received. Like us, many Members of Congress and representatives of the higher education associations, see this attempt by the Department as both egregious and dangerous. If the Department is successful with Upward Bound, it sets a precedent to impose additional eligibility requirements - however unreasonable - upon any Title IV program, including the remaining TRIO programs, Pell, SEOG, GEAR-UP, loans and work-study. It is critical that the following steps are taken immediately: 1) If you are an Upward Bound staff member, identify those students currently in your program who would not have been served if this priority had been in effect at the time of their admission to Upward Bound. Ask them and their parents or guardians to write their Senators and Congressman/Congresswoman and ask them to oppose this priority. 2) If you are an Upward Bound staff members, identify those alumni who were enrolled in your program who would not have been served if this priority had been in effect. Ask them to write their elected representatives in Washington to oppose this priority. 3) All TRIO directors should inform the senior administrators at your institution regarding this problem. Ask them to write their Senators and Representatives opposing this priority. Should you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Heather Valentine ([log in to unmask]) or Bob Kearley ( [log in to unmask]). We will keep you updated throughout the coming weeks. Sincerely, Arnold L. Mitchem President You may request to opt out of receiving further email from the Council for Opportunity in Education by sending a message to mailto:[log in to unmask] . Thank you.