Federal and state policy and legislative updates

NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee stays up-to-date on the latest federal and state policy and legislative news through a variety of scanning tools. One particular resource they use is the bi-weekly Policy Pages provided by Active Policy Solutions. (For more on this partnership, along with other SAHEC associations, have with Active Policy Solutions, see below.)

The policy issues included in the Policy Pages document are highlights of a point in time. They are by no means exhaustive and change continually – so matters discussed in the last issue normally will not carry over to the next unless there is some updated action to be discussed.

The Committee encourages NIRSA members to keep themselves informed on federal and state policy issues affecting their work as professionals on campuses. These issues could be specific to higher education, physical activity, or NIRSA’s strategic value areas. If you have an issue that is of concern to your campus, reach out the Government Affairs Committee.

Policy Page documents will be stored, as a resource for NIRSA members, in the NIRSA Connect Community library. You can find them within the “Member Benefits” folder in a subfolder titled “Federal and State Policy Pages.”

Full SAHEC Policy Pages

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal Stimulus/FY21 Funding

President Biden’s COVID-19 relief package and its macroeconomic implications explored by the Brookings Institute
GOP Senators propose $618 billion coronavirus proposal ahead of meeting with President Biden
College COVID-19 relief distribution detailed by American Council on Education (ACE)
College groups ask for billions more in COVID-19 relief
College groups look for guidance on COVID-19 aid for international and unauthorized students

Federal Education

College guidance for COVID-19 called for by President Biden
Higher education policy news since start of Biden Administration explored in article
US Department of Education (DoE) letter highlights effort to help Americans pursue college during pandemic
US Department of Education’s (DoE) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) appointee creates mixed feelings among advocates
Title IX sexual harassment regulations opposing court case has countering free speech and due process protections brief filed by Campus Civil Liberties Coalition
Free speech intimidation by the University of Iowa argued by Republican lawmakers

Federal Legislation

Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (HR 426) reintroduced

Other Federal News

Racial equity executive orders signed by President Biden
College Title IX investigation’s erroneous outcome claim dismissed by Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Women athletes and advocates push to exclude women’s sports from President Biden’s transgender Executive Order

State and Local Government News

COVID-19 liability protection legislation moving in a number of states

Indiana

Indiana school and college suicide hotline numbers on ID bill introduced

Montana

Montana transgender sports bill passes house, sent to senate
Montana gun free zone prohibit bill passes house, transmitted to senate

Wyoming

Wyoming school and college hazing bill died in committee after hearing

Other News

College COVID-19 updates
College students likely to take COVID-19 vaccine, survey finds
College herd immunity from COVID-19 requirements explored in article
College response to COVID-19 outbreak on Indiana campus subject of CDC report
Activities and other COVID-19 updates
Sports reform explored in article by Aspen Project
CDC explores Florida high school wrestling tournaments leading to COVID-19 outbreak
Esports used in California as a means to connect students
College cheerleading coach resigns after racist comment
College students’ use of vaping on campus explored in white paper from American College Health Association (ACHA)

Full SAHEC Policy Pages

About NIRSA’s partnership with Active Policy Solutions

As an association, NIRSA strives to monitor and track policy and legislative issues with the potential to impact our members or the campus communities they serve. These issues are wide ranging and may pertain to higher education, employment law, physical fitness, or our strategic values areas.

NIRSA has joined with a subset of SAHEC members (ACUHO-I, ACPA, ASCA, NASPA, and NIRSA) in hiring Active Policy Solutions to assist with monitoring, tracking, analyzing, and determining appropriate action on issues relevant to our associations. Through our partnership with SAHEC, NIRSA continues to monitor policy, legislation, and advocacy work that affects both the higher education and physical activity space. Active Policy Solutions provides government relations and advocacy support to NIRSA and the Association’s SAHEC partners.