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 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 NRISA 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.”

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal Education

  • Title IX proposed changes now expected to be released by US Dept. of Education in May according to K-12 Dive
  • College athletic scholarships may be offered by US military in exchange for service according to Sportico

Federal Health

  • Federal abortion rights US Supreme Court draft decision released by POLITICO
  • FDA proposes ban on menthol in cigarettes and cigars according to The Hill
  • Substance Use National Prevention Week (May 8-14) recognized

Federal Legislation

  • Colleges that provide abortions federal funding ban bill, “Protecting Life on College Campus Act” (S 2408), adds 3 new cosponsors

State and Local Government

California

  • California college student health insurance as individual health insurance coverage bill awaiting committee action

Connecticut

  • Connecticut name, image, and likeness (NIL) college marks and logos usage permitting bill passes the state legislature

Florida

  • Florida college access for homeless and foster students bill signed into law

Maine

  • Maine prohibition of discrimination based on hairstyle bill signed into law

Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts higher education review commission bill passes committee
  • Massachusetts creating higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities bill created by merging with other bills passes out of committee
  • Massachusetts college athlete compensation bill created by merging with other bills passes out of committee
  • Massachusetts hunger-free campus initiative bill, the “Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program,” created by merging with other bills passes out of committee

Michigan

  • Michigan unsolicited sexual messages misdemeanor establishment bill introduced

Ohio

  • Ohio college free speech and reform bill signed into law

South Carolina

  • South Carolina school and college sports participation by sex assigned at birth bill, the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” passes the state house and passes committee in the state senate

Vermont

  • Vermont telehealth licensure and registration system establishing bill passes the state legislature

Funding

  • College students who are veterans assistance programs funding available

Education

  • Colleges’ budget impacts from inflation and labor shortages explored by Higher Ed Dive
  • College student dropout rates and reasons during COVID-19 pandemic subject of article from NPR affiliate
  • College and universities reinstating mask mandates amid rising COVID-19 cases according to Study International
  • College student COVID-19 vaccine mandate ended by University of Cincinnati

Activities

  • NCAA president Mark Emmert to step down by June 2023 according to ESPN
  • Transgender college athlete Lia Thomas’ impact on NCAA regulations subject of article by The Chronicle of Higher Education

Health & Wellbeing

  • College student mental health trends and help-seeking by race/ethnicity findings subject of Healthy Minds study

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.

Headshot of Erin O'Sullivan
Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at  | NIRSA Profile

Erin O'Sullivan is currently the Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at NIRSA.