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 Stimulus/Appropriations

  • Minimum wage increase in COVID-19 package ruled against by Senate parliamentarian
  • Senate to vote on COVID-19 relief package
  • Colleges to receive $40B in relief package passed by the US House
  • College 90/10 rule included in COVID-19 relief package

Federal Education

  • Higher education and Congressionally directed funding/earmarks subject of article
  • College guidance on USDA SNAP benefits released by US Department of Education (DoE)
  • College student debt cancellation policy explored in opinion piece
  • Judge hears arguments in Connecticut lawsuit over transgender athletes

Federal Legislation

  • Equality Act (HR 5) passes House
  • The Intelligence on Nefarious Foreign Leaders Using Education Networks for Corrupt Enrichment (INFLUENCE) Act (HR 1160) introduced
  • Require for-profit colleges to bring in more revenue from non-federal sources bills (HR 1222 & S 383) introduced
  • Title IX definition of gender to mean biological sex Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act bill (HR 1417) introduced
  • Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity discrimination prohibition with religious exception and school
  • bullying policy requiring “Fairness For All Act” bill (HR 1440) reintroduced
  • Name, image, likeness, and athletic reputation (NIL) rights for college athletes bill (S 238) introduced
  • Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act (S 414) introduced
  • Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (S 251) adds new cosponsor
  • Prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation (S 393) introduced 6 Fitness facilities pandemic assistance grants program bill (HR 890) adds 13 new cosponsors

Other Federal News

  • US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona confirmed by Senate
  • School free speech case to be heard by US Supreme Court
  • Yale University sued over the use of race in admissions

State and Local Government News

  • Transgender athlete sports participation state legislative efforts analyzed in article

Arkansas

  • Arkansas sex at birth sports participation bill language possibly problematic for students who were adopted

Florida

  • Florida civil liability protection for damages relating to COVID-19 bill passes committee

Georgia

  • Georgia school and college sports sex at birth sports participation bill introduced
  • Georgia school sports gender by birth participation bill introduced
  • Georgia college education grants for foster children and adopted children bill introduced

Hawaii

  • Hawaii school sports participation by sex at birth bill introduced

Iowa

  • Iowa college tenure ending bill recommended passage by subcommittee
  • Iowa college athlete compensation bill passes through committee

Kentucky

  • Kentucky sports official intimidation crime bill referred to state senate

Maryland

  • Maryland college athlete omnibus passes state house with amendments

Mississippi

  • Mississippi student athlete compensation bills recommended passage by respective committees
  • Mississippi sex by birth sports participation bill recommended passage by state house committee

New Mexico

  • New Mexico student athlete endorsement compensation bill passes state house

Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma “Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act” bill passes out of committee

Tennessee

  • Tennessee GOP asks state colleges to keep students from kneeling during the national anthem

Other News

  • College COVID-19 updates
  • Colleges spend more than $23B from endowments in FY20
  • College student housing economy projected recovery subject of article
  • College international student enrollment subject of ACE survey
  • DC university eliminates single-use plastics, article reports
  • Activities and other COVID-19 update
  • COVID-19 transmission in fitness facilities subject of CDC report
  • Head impact (concussion) exposures among youth tackle and flag American football athletes subject of study
  • Physical activity level of Americans during COVID-19 subject of SFIA report
  • 3-feet rule given to schools as new guidance on COVID-19 social distancing
  • Black student hair discrimination policy issue subject of Brookings article
  • College student athletes kneeling during national anthem punished by Bluefield College
  • Colleges see protests over cuts, tuition, rights to unionize
  • Ex-USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himself following felony sexual assault charges

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.