Posibles consecuencias de una exclusin del RUM por NSF
sobre fondos de otras agencias y becas Pell
Qu otras consecuencias puede tener la terminacin definitiva de las subvenciones de NSF al RUM? Ms all de la imposibilidad de conseguir fondos de esa agencia en particular lo que ya sera una prdida enorme esta implicara la probable exclusin por todas las dems agencias federales. No slo se detendra casi la totalidad de los proyectos de investigacin o de enseanza subvencionados en el RUM, sino que la paralizacin puede extenderse a las becas Pell. El documento anejo es copia de la reglamentacin federal (Code of Federal Regulations - CFR) aplicable a programas del Departamento de Educacin en lo que respecta a ayuda financiera a estudiantes. Les sugiero que lo examinen en conjunto con los comentarios siguientes. La reglamentacin es enteramente similar para otras agencias, pero enfatizo esta por el impacto que puede tener sobre las becas Pell. La exclusin (debarment es el trmino en ingls) de una persona o institucin por una agencia del gobierno federal significa que la agencia ha determinado que no puede adquirir o contratar servicios de esa persona o institucin porque se pondra en riesgo el buen uso de sus fondos. Como la accin no es en s un castigo sino una accin administrativa que salvaguarda los fondos federales, el procedimiento que se sigue no requiere de todas las garantas y formalidades de un juicio. El procedimiento administrativo aplicable a estos casos es gil y sencillo y se conduce de conformidad a criterios bsicos de trato justo e imparcial. De acuerdo a las disposiciones anejadas del CFR en estos casos el peso de la prueba recae sobre la agencia que propone la exclusin y el quntum de prueba que la agencia necesita descargar para sostener sus alegaciones corresponde a la categora de preponderancia de evidencia, que es una manera de decir que basta con que sea ms probable que menos probable que las acciones o fallas alegadamente incurridas en efecto s han ocurrido. No se trata de un caso en corte, las reglas de evidencia no son de aplicacin estricta y no hace falta que la evidencia sea clara y convincente. Las agencias son cuidadosas con la aplicacin de esta accin administrativa, mucho ms tratndose de un caso en que se afectara negativamente una universidad y, por tanto, muchsima gente. Sin embargo, la agencia, particularmente la Oficina del Inspector General dentro de cada agencia, tiene el mandato en ley de salvaguardar el buen uso de los fondos asignados por el Congreso. NSF ha sido muy indulgente hasta ahora con nosotros (es decir, con la administracin de la UPR y del RUM): casi un ao entero para someter y aceptar un plan correctivo luego de una visita en la que se encontraron las fallas, un segundo ao para que cumplisemos el plan, un tercer ao (que venci el pasado 3 de febrero) a partir de un aviso al Presidente Muoz, con carcter de ultimtum, de que el plan no se haba implementado cabalmente. Si NSF no levanta la suspensin durante los prximos meses, el 22 de abril se cumplir un ao de la suspensin. No hay que ser adivino para saber que es una fecha crtica y que nos expondramos a una exclusin. Las exclusiones se decretan por un perodo de tiempo determinado caso por caso por la propia agencia y que podra ser de hasta 3 aos o an ms. Durante ese tiempo la persona o entidad excluida no podra recibir ni solicitar fondos de la agencia, ni de ninguna otra agencia federal. Esto ltimo debe estar bien claro. Si la agencia X encuentra fallas que ameriten la exclusin, eso es suficiente siempre que el proceso efectuado por dicha agencia haya cumplido ciertos requisitos tcnicos para que las agencias federales A, B, C,.... todo el abecedario, incluyendo al DE (Departamento de Educacin), tengan que observar la misma exclusin. Es significativo que NSF anunci en su carta del 1 ro de febrero que examinar documentacin de tiempo y esfuerzo que corresponda no solamente a NSF sino a cualesquiera otras agencias federales.
NSF nos visitar durante este mes de febrero o ms probablemente en marzo para evaluar la documentacin de tiempo y esfuerzo del semestre pasado, tanto en el RUM como en el CRCI. Si el resultado no es satisfactorio, una de las acciones que podra tomar NSF es la exclusin. Es probable que esto no ocurrira sino hasta despus de una vista en la cual la UPR podra mostrar causa por la cual no debe ocurrir la exclusin. Sin embargo, la ejecutoria hasta el presente de la administracin de la UPR no puede inspirar confianza. En numerosas ocasiones la administracin nos asegur que la suspensin estaba a punto de terminar. Por qu habramos de creerles ahora? Debo aadir que aunque los nicos afectados por la presente suspensin por NSF somos el RUM y AC-CRCI, una accin negativa de la agencia despus de su prxima visita podra extenderse rpidamente a otros recintos del sistema. No van a esperar varios aos como en el caso nuestro. Flix E. Fernndez
U.S. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION GPO 85.610 85.610 What procedures does the De- partment of Education use in su s- pension and debarment actions? In deciding whether to suspend or debar you, we handle the actions as in- formally as practicable, consistent with principles of fundamental fair- ness. (a) For suspension actions, we use the procedures in this subpart and sub- part G of tl1is part. (b) For debarment actions, we use the procedures in this subpart and subpart H of this part. Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR. 1986 Comp .. p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082. 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec. 2455. Pub. L. 103-355. 108 St at. 3243 at 3327. 85.611 What procedures do we u se for a s uspension or debarment ac- tion involving a title IV, HEA trans- action? (a) If we suspend a title IV, HEA par- t i cipant under Executive Order 12549, we use the following procedures to en- sure that the suspension prevents par- t i cipation in title IV, HEA trans- actions: (1) The notification procedures in 85.715. (2) Instead of the procedures in 85.720 through 85.760, the procedures in 34 CFR part 668, subpart G or 34 CFR part 682, subpart D or G as applicabl e. (3) In addition to the findings and conclusions required by 34 CFR part 668, subpart G or 34 CFR part 682, sub- part D or G, the suspending official, and, on appeal , the Secretary deter- mines whether there is sufficient cause for suspension as explained in 85.700. (b) If we debar a title IV, HEA partic- ipant under E.O. 12549, we use the fol- lowing procedures to ensure that the debarment al so precludes participation in titl e IV, HEA transactions: (1) The notification procedures in 85.805 and 85.870. (2) Instead of the procedures in 85.810 through 85.885. the procedures in 34 CFR part 668, subpart G or 34 CFR part 682, subpart D or G, as applicable. (3) On appeal from a decision debar- ring a title IV, HEA participant, we issue a final decision after we receive any written materials from the parties. (4) In addition to the findings and conclusions required by 34 CFR part 34 CFR Subtitle A (7-1-10 Edition) 668, subpart G or 34 CFR part 682, sub- part D or G, the debarring official. and, on appeal, the Secretary determines whether there is sufficient cause for de- barment as explained in 85.800. Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR 1986 Comp. , p. 189); E.O. 12689 (3 CFR Cornp. , p . 235); 20 u.s.c. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec. 2455 of Pub. L. 103-355, 108 St at. 3243 a t 3327. [68 FR 66612. Nov. 26. 2003] 85.612 When does an exclusion by an- other agency affect the ability of the excluded person to participate in a title IV, HEA transaction? (a ) If a t i tle IV. HEA parti cipant is debarred by another agency under E.O. 12549, using procedures described in paragraph (d) of this section, that party i s not eligibl e to enter into title IV, HEA transactions for the duration of the debarment. (b)(l) U a title IV, HEA participant is suspended by another agency under E.O. 12549 or under a proposed debar- ment under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR part 9, sub- part 9.4), using procedures described in paragraph (d) of this section, that party is not eligible to enter into title IV. HEA transactions for the duration of the suspension. (2)(i ) The suspension of title IV, HEA eligibility as a resul t of suspension by another agency lasts for at least 60 days. (ii) If the excluded party does not ob- ject to the suspension, the 60-day pe- riod begins on the 35th day after that agency issues the notice of suspension. (iii) If the excluded party objects to the suspension, the 60-day period be- gins on the date of t he decision of the suspending official. (3) The suspension of title IV, HEA eligibility does not end on the 60th day if- (i) The excluded party agrees to an extension; or (ii) Before the 60th day we begin a limitation or termination proceeding against the excluded party under 34 CFR part 668, subpart G or part 682, subpart D or G. (c)(l ) If a title IV. HEA participant is debarred or suspended by another Fed- eral agency- (i) We notify the participant whether the debarment or suspension prohibits 282 Definiciones: C.F.R.: Code of Federal Regulations. Codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. HEA: Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. E.O. 12549: Executive Order 12549--Debarment and suspension Fuente: 34 C.F.R. PART 85GOVERNMENTWIDE DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION (NONPROCUREMENT) Title 34 - Education Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) covers the administration of the United States federal student financial aid programs
The Pell Grant is covered by HEA, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1; 20 U.S.C. 1070a
Al1THENTICATE9 U.S. COVERNMENT INFORMATION GPO Office of the Secretory, Education participation in title IV, HEA trans- actions; and (ii) If participation is prohibited, we state the effective date and duration of the prohibition. (2) If a debarment or suspension by another agency prohibits participation in title IV, HEA transactions, that pro- hibition takes effect 20 days after we mail not ice of our action. (3) If ED or another Federal agency suspends a title IV, HEA pal'ticipant, we det ermine whether grounds exist for an emergency action against the par- ticipant under 34 CFR part 668, subpart G or part 682, subpart D or G, as a ppli- cable. (4) We use the procedures in 85.611 to exclude a title IV, HEA participant ex- cl uded by another Federal agency using procedures that did not meet the standards in paragraph (d) of this sec- tion. (d) If a t i t le IV, HEA participant is excluded by another agency, we debar, terminate, or suspend the participant- as provided under tbis part, 34 CFR part 668, or 34 CFR part 682, as applica- ble- if that agency followed procedures that gave the excl uded party- (1) Notice of the proposed action; (2) An opportunity to submit and have considered evidence and argument to oppose the proposed action; (3) An opportunity to present its ob- jection at a hearing- ( i ) At which the agency has the bur- den of persuasion by a preponderance of the evidence that there is cause for the excl usion; and (i i) Conducted by an i mpartial person who does not also exercise prosecu- torial or investigative responsibilities with respect to the exclusion action; (4) An opportunity to present witness testimony, unless the hearing official finds that there is no genuine dispute about a material fact; (5) An opportunity to have agency witnesses with personal knowledge of material facts in genuine dispute tes- tify about those facts, if the hearing of- ficial determines their testimony to be needed, in light of other available evi- dence and witnesses; and 85.625 (6) A written decision stating find- ings of fact and concl usions of law on wbicb the decision is rendered. Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp. , p. 189). E.O. 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Cornp. , p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082. 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec. 2455 of Pub. L. 103--355. 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327. [68 FR 66613, Nov. 26, 2003] 85.615 How does the Department of Education notify a person of a sus- pension or debarment action? (a) The suspending or debarring offi- cial sends a written notice to the last known street address, facsimile num- ber, or e-mail address of- (1) You or your identified counsel ; or (2) Your agent for service of process, or any of your partners, officers. direc- tors, owners, or joint ventmers. (b) The notice is effective if sent to any of these persons. Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Cornp. , p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR. 1989 Comp .. p. 235) ; 20 u.s.c. 1082. 1094. 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec. 2455, Pub. L. 103--355. 108 Stat. 3243 a t 3327. 85.620 Do Federal agencies coordi- nate suspension and debarment ac- tions? Yes. when more than one Federal agency has an interest in a suspension or debarment, the agencies may con- sider designating one agency as the lead agency for making the decision. Agencies are encouraged to establish methods and procedmes for coordi- nating their suspension and debarment actions. Authority : E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Cornp. , p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR. 1989 Cornp. , p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 122le-3 and 3474; and Sec. 2455, Pub. L. 103--355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327. 85.625 What is the scope of a suspen- sion or debarment? If you are suspended or debarred, the suspension or debarment is effecti ve as follows: (a) Your suspension or debarment constitutes suspension or debarment of all of your divisions and other organi- zational elements from all covered transactions, unless the suspension or debarment decision is limited- (!) By its terms to one or more spe- cifically identified individuals, divi- sions, or other organizational ele- ments; or 283 "A preponderance of evidence has been described as just enough evidence to make it more likely than not that the fact the claimant seeks to prove is true" i.e.: Menos que "evidencia clara y convincente" y mucho menos que "ms all de duda razonable", que sera requerido para lograr una condena en casos criminales en una corte de justicia.