This section introduces the End Woke Higher Education Act, which aims to ensure fairness in college accreditation without political bias and upholds the First Amendment on campus, covering topics like free speech and association rights, and includes measures for enforcement and responses to campus violence.

The section of the bill introduces the “Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2024” as its official title.

The section amends the Higher Education Act to ensure that accreditation agencies for colleges and universities do not require institutions to adhere to specific political or ideological beliefs, except in cases involving religious missions or where legally mandated. It also limits the Secretary of Education's power to set accreditation criteria and confirms that institutions following their accrediting agency's standards can participate in federal programs, regardless of additional unrelated standards.

The section clarifies that nothing in the title stops religious accreditation organizations from applying and maintaining their religious standards on the educational institutions they choose to accredit.

The section titled "SEC. 201" establishes that this part of the bill will be known as the "Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act."

The section discusses Congress's support for free speech in higher education by encouraging colleges to adopt principles like the Chicago Principles, which promote open dialogue on campuses. It also condemns and discourages the use of political litmus tests in admissions or faculty decisions, as these practices conflict with free speech rights.

Congress emphasizes the importance of free speech and open discussion in higher education by recommending adoption of the Chicago Principles, criticizes colleges for requiring political pledges for admissions or hiring, and clarifies that this section should not affect civil rights protections. It also defines "covered public institution" as state universities involved in federal education programs.

Institutions of higher education must disclose their policies on free speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion to students and faculty each year to be eligible for federal financial aid programs. These disclosures also recognize students and faculty as the intended beneficiaries and, for public institutions, inform them about the right to take legal action under certain conditions.

Institutions of higher education must report their policies on free speech, association, and religion to be eligible for federal financial aid programs. They must also inform students and faculty that these policies are designed for their benefit, and public institutions must disclose the right to legal action if policies are violated.

The section outlines guidelines for public colleges to ensure that students' freedom of association and religion is protected. It requires fair treatment for student organizations, mandates transparent distribution of funds, and offers appeal processes for denied recognition or funds; it also ensures equal treatment for religious groups and protection of single-sex social organizations, while allowing for disciplinary actions against those that support terrorism.

The section outlines the rights and protections for student organizations at public institutions, focusing on ensuring freedom of association and equal access to benefits, including financial allocations, for both secular and religious student groups. It also discusses the ability for students to form and join single-sex social organizations without facing retaliation from their educational institution, unless the organization's actions incite lawlessness or conflict with the institution's religious mission.

The proposed section ensures that public colleges and universities uphold free speech by requiring them to educate students about their First Amendment rights and post this information online. It also prohibits the use of political tests for admissions, hiring, or promotions, ensuring decisions are not based on personal political beliefs, while making exceptions for institutions with military purposes and clarifying that anti-discrimination laws still apply.

The section outlines policies for public colleges to enhance free speech, including providing materials on First Amendment rights during student orientations, ensuring the right to engage in noncommercial expressive activities, and prohibiting the use of political tests for admissions or employment. It also clarifies certain exemptions and conditions under which these rules apply, such as upholding anti-discrimination laws and the policies of military academies.

The section outlines how institutions must comply with section 112B to participate in federal education programs and details the consequences of non-compliance, allowing individuals or organizations to take legal action if a public institution violates certain sections. It specifies the process for losing and regaining eligibility for federal funding, the requirement for institutions to report violations, and includes conditions under which state entities waive sovereign immunity when receiving federal funding.

This section outlines the process for enforcing requirements related to covered public institutions. It allows individuals or organizations to sue in federal court if harmed by a policy that violates these requirements, provides guidelines for notifying and reporting to the Secretary following a court's final judgment, details consequences for institutions that fail to comply, and underscores conditions regarding sovereign immunity if federal funding is received.

The section emphasizes that Congress believes acts of violence occurring on college campuses are not protected free speech under the First Amendment.