Document O1VjwBkY1RvMnRd3V4jJ9DJEw

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATION OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION 2/10/25 Katie Tonore Project Director William Carey University 710 William Carey Parkway Hattiesburg, MS 39401 RE: Grant Award Termination Dear Ms. Tonore This letter provides notice that the United States Department of Education is terminating your federal award, S423A230071 . See 2 C.F.R. 200.340-43; see also 34 C.F.R. 75.253. It is a priority of the Department of Education to eliminate discrimination in all forms of education throughout the United States. The Acting Secretary of Education has determined that, per the Department's obligations to the constitutional and statutory law of the United States, this priority includes ensuring that the Department's grants do not support programs or organizations that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion ("DEI") initiatives or any other initiatives that unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or another protected characteristic. Illegal DEI policies and practices can violate both the letter and purpose of Federal civil rights law and conflict with the Department's policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education. In addition to complying with the civil rights laws, it is vital that the Department assess whether all grant payments are free from fraud, abuse, and duplication, as well as to assess whether current grants are in the best interests of the United States. The grant specified above provides funding for programs that promote or take part in DEI initiatives or other initiatives that unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or another protected characteristic; that violate either the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; that conflict with the Department's policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; that are not free from fraud, abuse, or duplication; or that otherwise fail to serve the best interests of the United States. The grant is therefore inconsistent with, and no longer effectuates, Department priorities. See 2 C.F.R. 200.340(a)(4); see also 34 C.F.R. 75.253. Therefore, pursuant to, among other authorities, 2 C.F.R. 200.339-43, 34 C.F.R. 75.253, and the termination provisions in your grant award, the Department hereby terminates grant No. S423A230071 in its entirety effective 2/10/25 400 MARYLAND AVE., 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. Earthjustice/Sierra Club 2025-EPA-05146 ED_018033_00000457-00001 SC_EVERSPLIT0032091 If you wish to object to or challenge this termination decision, you must submit information and documentation supporting your position in writing within 30 calendar days of the date of this termination notice. Objections and challenges must be sent by email and first-class mail and addressed to the component head that oversees the grantmaking unit, which will typically be the Assistant Secretary of that unit. In this case, please address your objection or challenge to Ruth Ryder, Acting Assistant Secretary; Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; 400 Maryland Ave., SW; Washington, D.C. 20202; ruth.ryder@ed.gov. Your appeal should contain the following: 1. a copy of the written notice of termination; 2. the date you received written notice of termination; 3. a brief statement of your argument and the disputed factual, legal, or other issues; 4. the amount of funds or costs in dispute, if any; and 5. any other relevant documents. See id. 200.342. Costs incurred by you after this termination are allowable only if (a) those costs were properly incurred by you before the effective date of this termination, and not in anticipation of it; and (b) those costs would be allowable if your federal award was not suspended or expired normally at the end of the period of performance in which the termination takes effect. See 2 C.F.R. 200.343. You are encouraged to carefully review and discharge your closeout responsibilities set forth in 2 C.F.R. 200.344-45 and your award agreement. Those responsibilities include, but are not limited to, your obligation to "promptly refund any unobligated funds" that have been paid out but "are not authorized to be retained." See 2 C.F.R. 200.344(g). Failure to do so will result in the Department filing a report documenting your "material failure to comply with the terms and conditions of" this award on SAM.gov and taking any other appropriate enforcement actions. See id. 200.344(i). Finally, you are reminded of your duties under your agreement and Department of Education guidance regarding retention of grant records for at least three years. Thank you, MARK Digitally signed by MARK WASHINGTON WASHINGTON 19:40:35 -05'00' Date: 2025.02.10 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Planni cc: Ruth Ryder 400 MARYLAND AVE., 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. Earthjustice/Sierra Club 2025-EPA-05146 ED_018033_00000457-00002 SC_EVERSPLIT0032092