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 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.”

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal Education & Health

  • College FAFSA update from US Dept. of Education provided by Higher Ed Dive
  • College accreditors college student outcomes benchmarks setting proposed by the Biden Administration reports Inside Higher Ed
  • Substance abuse and mental health evidence-based practices list to be updated bi-weekly by Evidence- Based Practices Resources Center announced SAMHSA

Federal Legislation

  • College student first amendment rights reaffirmation bill (HR 7612) introduced
  • Federal work-study program reauthorization bill, “Opportunities for Success Act” (HR 7644), introduced 3 College free speech adoption policy as a condition for receiving federal funding bill, “Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act” (HR 7683), introduced
  • College and faith-based organizations establishment of affordable rental housing through technical
  • assistance bill, “Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY) Act” (S 3910), introduced

State and Local Government

Alabama

  • Alabama undocumented college students enrollment allowing bill introduced

Arizona

  • Arizona college ID accepted as voter identification bill introduced
  • Arizona college ID for voter registration allowing bill introduced
  • Arizona college tuition increases pegged to Consumer Price Index (CPI) bill introduced
  • Arizona college student groups supporting terrorism prohibiting bill introduced
  • Arizona college sexual misconduct task force establishing bill introduced

California

  • California college financial disclosures requiring bill introduced
  • California college sex discrimination advocate appointee mandating bill introduced
  • California colleges veteran student housing information requiring bill introduced
  • California college undocumented individual employment disqualifying prohibiting bill introduced
  • California college sexual violence and harassment training amending to biennially bill introduced
  • California community college housing insecurity study requiring bill introduced
  • California college student disability program evaluation and training requiring bill introduced
  • California college education intent for legislation bill introduced
  • California college tuition increase pegged to Consumer Price Index (CPI) bill introduced
  • California public college discrimination prevention intent for legislation bill introduced

Florida

  • Florida K-12 school gender and sexual orientation lawsuit settled reports Politico
  • Florida college student terrorism promotion reporting requirements bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida school and college political flag displaying prohibition bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida public K-12 school and college sexual harassment prevention information provision bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida college Single-Sex Student Organizations’ Bill of Rights bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida college students who are homeless support bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida gender assigned at birth bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida mental health training for youth interaction bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida college student terrorism promotion reporting requirements bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • Florida school and college political influence teaching prohibition and college faculty collective bargaining bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends

Idaho

  • Idaho college diversity statement requirement for admission or employment prohibiting bill passes the state legislature and sent to the governor

Illinois

  • Illinois hazing prosecution establishing bill introduced

Indiana

  • Indiana college free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity bill signed into law

Iowa

  • Iowa college students who are pregnant or recently gave birth accommodations bill passes the state senate and passes state house subcommittee

Kansas

  • Kansas college diversity statement in admission or hiring protocols prohibiting bill passes committee with amendments

Kentucky

  • Kentucky college funding scheme called unconstitutional by state attorney general due to race consideration reports K-12 Dive

Minnesota

  • Minnesota college mandated sexual harassment and sexual assault policy amendment bill introduced
  • Minnesota college faith statements required for enrollment prohibition removing bill introduced

Utah

  • In Utah, first university renames its DEI office under new law reports The Salt Lake Tribune

West Virginia

  • West Virginia college Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program establishing bill fails to pass the state legislature before the session ends
  • West Virginia Women’s Bill of Rights bill failed to pass the state legislature before adjournment

Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin public college student immunization requirement waiving bill passes the state legislature

Other Updates

  • Prospective college students’ preferences on where to attend impacted by abortion services access and strict gun control legislation according to Gallup poll
  • K-12 school and college campus hate crimes on the rise in states with anti-LGBTQ+ laws reports Campus Safety Magazine
  • Young adult mental health, education, and employment practices studied by Resolution Foundation
  • College student mental health lack of support resulting in liability risk discussed in article

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.

  • For more information, please contact NIRSA Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships Erin O’Sullivan.
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.