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 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.”

Full SAHEC Policy Pages

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal Legislation

U.S. Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education funding bill update
PHIT Act update from SFIA
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health updated their national and state data sheets
Article explores changes that may take place when the President’s Chief of Staff takes over the Department of Labor’s rulemaking process
U.S. Department of Labor seeks input on subminimum wage
Office of Management & Budget holds meetings on gainful employment rule, Politico reports

State & Local Government

Alabama

Alabama senate committee advances campus free speech bill

California

California State Senate approves legislation to continue Title IX protections
New study shows significant increase in cost of California universities

Washington

Washington state senator introduced bill aimed to make state universities and colleges more politically diverse

Education News

Update: Family of University of Maryland student who died of adenovirus takes step toward suing school
Group files lawsuit to challenge campus free speech policies, Politico reports
Overall enrollment in higher education drops again according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
Several colleges challenge anonymity protection in campus sexual assault lawsuits
Texas A&M launches new program for students with intellectual, developmental disabilities
At least 40 students say Brigham Young University discriminates against those with disabilities

Sports News

NCAA assigns emerging sport status to acrobatics and tumbling and women’s wrestling
Multiple former Ohio State athletes sue school after alleged sexual abuse by team doctor
Oregon State University Cheer and Dance seeks equal recognition from school athletics department
USA Badminton CEO resigns amid dispute with Board of Directors and the USOC

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.