UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
7 May 2020
Jorge Haddock President University of Puerto Rico
Dear President Haddock: I am writing to follow up on the productive telephone call we had yesterday, in which we discussed accountability, including a system of internal controls, monitoring and reporting with regard to the use of funds by the eleven institutions that comprise the University of Puerto Rico pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act). We discussed the Department’s recommendation that CARES Act funds flowing to the institutions in your University System be subject to a plan of oversight and internal controls that your office would implement in lieu of other alternative fiscal arrangements such as the use of an independent third-party fiduciary agent. Based on our discussion and the internal controls and related measures which you committed to implement, we agreed that such an arrangement would help ensure proper accountability for the funds, while expediting the distribution and use of badly needed financial assistance to your students and your institution. In the call, your office committed to advising the leaders of the campuses in your system of this arrangement, and the role your office will play in the administration and oversight of the use of these funds in across the University, consistent with the requirements of the CARES Act. In addition, you agreed to develop a more detailed accountability plan within thirty days that informs the Department and the public of how you plan to provide appropriate oversight, internal controls, and reporting to ensure that expenditures of these funds will be consistent with requirements of the law, and the grant award document. In this role, you would commit to responding to periodic data requests made by Department to ensure the proper accountability to Congress and taxpayers under the CARES Act. We 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202 www.ed.gov The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global Competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
would expect such a plan would be submitted by June 10, 2020, and would build on the current policies and procedures that you already have that can be utilized in support of these responsibilities. We are enthused about the leadership role you committed to provide. As we indicated, we would be glad to offer technical assistance, in the preparation of the plan and its implementation. On the call, we advised you of each campus’ thirty-day reporting requirement related to the distribution of funds to students as described in their grant application, and clarified in the Electronic Announcement published May 6, 2020 on the FSA IFAP system. I have enclosed the Electronic Announcement for your distribution to the leaders of each campus in the event they have not yet seen this requirement and announcement. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter and your acceptance of this set of responsibilities and authority by a letter within 5 days of your receipt, and please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks, again, for your willingness to undertake this important leadership responsibility. Very truly yours, Digitally signed by Robert
Robert King King Date: 2020.05.07 11:15:49 -04'00'
Robert L. King Assistant Secretary Office of Postsecondary Education
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