As 2021 begins, legislative priorities begin to take shape in statehouses and DC. We all know that even the smallest law can have major ramifications on how our industry operates and affect who we are as people.
As co-chair of NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee, I know it is important that we as a committee share legislative information that might impact what we do, how we do it, and the students we serve.
Transgender participation in sports has again come up in the legislative agenda for multiple states, as well as a bill in the US House of Representatives. This includes:
- US House Bill: Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2020
- Ohio House Bill: Designated Separate Sports and Teams for Each Sex at Schools
- Montana House Bill: Save Women’s Sports Act
- South Carolina House Bill: Save Women’s Sports Act
You can stay up-to-date with legislative matters in your state by following NIRSA’s policy pages.
The Government Affairs Committee also shares posts in Connect to help keep emerging legislative matters top of mind for members. Both an October 7 post and an October 19 post by committee members share other resources on this topic.
As NIRSA has previously stated, “Rescinding protections from an already at-risk population seems a step backwards for our campuses and, by extension, impedes NIRSA’s vision of building healthy people and healthy communities. Our Association recognizes this decision as standing contrary to our values, particularly Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”
The Government Affairs Committee will continue to monitor these bills as well as any other legislation that may be important to how we do what we do and keep you up-to-date. As a committee, we do not take sides or stances one way or the other. Our goal is to provide you with the information and allow you, the NIRSA membership, to do with that information as you see fit. Many of the pieces of legislation or issues we may bring to your attention can cause strong emotions on both sides of the issue and we strive to help open up the dialogue.
- For more information, please contact a member of NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee.
Chris Crume is currently the Director of Aquatic Center at Denison University. He serves as co-chair of NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee; he can be reached by email at ccrume@hotmail.com.
