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 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 Budget

  • Stimulus/FY21 appropriations update

Federal Education

  • S. Department of Education confirms extension of student loan payment relief
  • S. Justice Department settles dispute over service animals in schools

Federal Legislation

  • Ensuring college sexual misconduct investigations are “trauma-informed” bill (HR 8136) introduced
  • Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (HR 8110) introduced
  • COVID-19 Youth Sports and Health Working Families Relief Act (HR 7562) gains two new cosponsors

Funding

  • The Small Business Administration changes PPP loan rules

Education

  • Return to college updates
  • University of Pittsburgh first year students will take anti-Black racism course
  • College student housing public-private partnerships could slow down according to Moody’s Investors Service

Other News

  • Return to activities updates
  • Black college athletes stand at the intersection of risk and profit for college football according to NBC News
  • Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) provides ideas for action during Suicide Prevention Month
  • College mental health system has been tested by COVID-19 pandemic
  • College COVID-19 guidance released by the American College Health Association
  • Title IX sexual assault case ruling calls for broader understanding of the word “education”

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.
Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at | NIRSA Profile

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