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.”


In this issue:

Government Updates

Education

  • 62 universities hacked through vulnerability in web app
  • The Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus gets five new members
  • College financial aid loophole explored: wealthy parents transfer guardianship of their teens to get aid
  • Civil rights of LGBTQ students not protected by the U.S. Department of Education, Center for American Progress (CAP) report indicates
  • Higher ed and Veterans groups calling for closer Pentagon surveillance of for-profit college industry, POLITICO reports

Federal Legislation

  • Protecting Access to Student Transcripts Act (HR 3761) introduced
  • Relief for Defrauded Students Act (HR 3662) introduced
  • Eliminating the Hidden Student Loan Tax Act (HR 3674) introduced
  • Strengthening American Communities Act (HR 3692) introduced
  • A bill declaring September 2019 as Campus Fire Safety Month (HRes 528) introduced
  • Remedial Education Improvement Act (HR 3950) reintroduced
  • Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (HR 3891) introduced
  • Basic Assistance for Students In College (BASIC) Act (S 2225) introduced
  • Closing the College Hunger Gap Act (HR 3718/S 2110) introduced
  • Student Loan Reform Act (HR 3786) introduced
  • Guaranteeing Respite After College Ends (GRACE) Act (HR 3792) introduced
  • Student Loan Accrual Support and Help (SLASH) Act (HR 3793) introduced
  • Educational Opportunities and Success Act (HR 3800) introduced
  • Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act (S 2184) introduced
  • Streamlining Income-driven, Manageable Payments on Loans for Education (SIMPLE) Act (HR 3833) introduced
  • Second Chance for Students Act (HR 4089) introduced

Other Federal News

  • College athletes are not getting the education they deserve, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) claims in his recent report
  • Administration overtime rule revamp expected in early fall

State & Local Government

Alaska

  • University of Alaska Board of Regents declare financial exigency as they are faced with a $135 million budget cut
  • Impact of Alaska higher education cuts explored by the Chronicle of Higher Education

New Jersey

  • New Jersey bill to improve transparency of higher education tuition and fees becomes law

Virginia

  • Transgender bathroom ban policy of Virginia school district back in court

Other News

  • Higher education groups form new coalition to advocate for under-represented students such as veterans and working students
  • Michigan State students accused of campus sex assault seek class action status in lawsuit, Breitbart reports
  • Free speech on college campuses affected by recent 9th Circuit ruling, article explains
  • New campus free speech laws opposed by American Association of University Professors (AAUP), The College Fix reports
  • Less traditional sports, such as cornhole gather more attention
  • E-sports programs being added to more high schools in an effort to engage and motivate students
  • New board and funding model for U.S. Olympic system recommended by Borders Commission
  • Recycled tire crumb rubber characterization report released by EPA
  • Recycled tire crumb rubber report webinar to be hosted by EPA on August 6
  • Sports head trauma lawsuits: expert analysis of key defense strategies offered by Law360
  • Most traumatic brain injuries in U.S. kids linked to consumer products, study shows

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.
  • Want to share with your colleagues how this proposed legislation might impact your campus? Pitch us your ideas.
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.