NASPA POLICY PUBLICATIONS & LETTERS OF SUPPORT:

Learn, Engage, and Represent: Preparing for the National Student Affairs Day of Action on March 12!

By Teri Lyn Hinds, Director of Policy Research and Advocacy, February 14, 2019

Collectively, student affairs professionals represent thousands of voices; working together we can make a powerful impression with policymakers on behalf of our students and our profession. Engaging with our representative democracy is essential to maintaining the health and function of our nation’s government, which is why NASPA invites you to take part in the National Student Affairs Day of Action on March 12, 2019. No matter your position, title, or area of expertise, as a student affairs professional there are a myriad of ways you can – and should – engage in public policy conversations for the benefit of you, your students, and your institution. Won’t you join #SAadvocates around the country on #NSADA19 to share your expertise and insight with policymakers?

Employing Student Success: A Comprehensive Examination of On-Campus Student Employment

By Omari Burnside, Alexa Wesley, Alexis Wesaw, Amelia Parnell, February 15, 2019

This report explores how colleges and universities design and administer on-campus student employment as a high-impact practice. NASPA examined the current condition of on-campus employment opportunities and identified promising practices and components of robust programs. This report identifies ways to support and scale conditions of highly impactful employment programs, which include a focus on leadership engagement, equitable hiring processes, growth and professional development opportunities, student learning outcomes, and assessment and evaluation. Institutions that have demonstrated a willingness to advance the practice can engage in thoughtful planning and build upon their existing infrastructure to actualize goals for on-campus employment. The landscape analysis will help inform and offer guidance for colleges and universities that consider on-campus employment as an underutilized resource and are seeking to transform the practice into a powerful means of advancing student success. An official landing page showcasing the report's key findings and relevant resources is being developed.

IN THE NEWS:

Senator Proposes Sweeping Student Loan Reform

By Adam Minsky, Forbes, February 12, 2019

Senator Lamar Alexander has proposed significant student loan reforms as a part of reauthorization to the Higher Education Act (HEA). The new plan would limit repayment options to either a 10 year Standard repayment option or a new income-driven repayment plan. He also has indicated wanted to streamline the FAFSA process and start measuring post-graduation student loan repayment rates as a way to hold colleges accountable for graduation outcomes. This is different from gainful employment, which was a measure used to improve institutional accountability through employment outcomes.

A Budget-Conscious Pathway for International Students

By Lindsay McKenzie, Inside Higher Education, February 13, 2019

The last few years have been difficult for international student recruitment due to Trump administration travel and visa restriction policies. Online pathways offer additional options, however online educator pathways, such as that of StraighterLine, have been viewed more as a marketing gimmick than true education pathway alternatives. International online recruitment programs work to guide students through the admissions process for their chosen college and help them with visa paperwork. Once the students arrive at their chosen college, the recruitment organization will collect a fee from the college for each student enrolled.

Congress Allows Violence Against Women Act to Lapse

By Juliegrace Brufke, The Hill, February 16, 2019

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) lapsed this past Friday after lawmakers could not come to a compromise on the extension of the landmark legislation. VAWA as a whole has bipartisan support, but this version included provisions to expand youth education and prevention programs as well as protections for Native American women, which were left out of the 2013 reauthorization. A Democratic aide told The Hill that “a full reauthorization is expected to be introduced in March.”

Other Changes on the Horizon

By Chronicle of Higher Education, February 18, 2019

The Chronicle’s 2019 Trends Report, predicts that 2019 will bring more colleges with test-optional admissions, a focus on social mobility as part of college rankings, an expansion to urban colleges, an ever-present reminder of changes to Title IX, merging colleges due to financial crunches, and an uptick in online resources over that of traditional textbooks.

RELEVANT BILLS:

State Summaries

Each week NASPA analyzes recent trends in state-based legislation. The weekly update highlights movement on legislation in three different higher education policy areas, with issue areas alternating each week.

LGBTQIA Recent Legislative Updates:  

Legislature	Bill Number	Title	Latest Action Date
Hawaii	SB1042	LRB; Education; Civil Rights; Discrimination; Sex; Sexual Orientation; Gender Identity; Gender Expression; Study	2/15/2019
Hawaii	HB483	Civil Rights; LRB; Education; Discrimination; Title IX; Study	2/15/2019
Utah	HB35	Custody and Parent-time Revisions	2/13/2019

Currently Tracking 11 Measures in 2019:

  

Free Speech Recent Legislative Updates:

Legislature	Bill Number	Title	Latest Action Date
Arkansas	HB1231	TO ENSURE THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OF A STUDENT JOURNALIST AT A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.	2/11/2019
Illinois	HR50	HIGHER ED-FREEDOM OF SPEECH	2/13/2019
Illinois	HB2280	CAMPUS FREE SPEECH	2/13/2019
Arkansas	SB156	TO ESTABLISH THE FORMING OPEN AND ROBUST UNIVERSITY MINDS (FORUM) ACT.	2/14/2019
Texas	SB447	Relating to the protection of expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.	2/14/2019
South Dakota	HB1087	promote intellectual diversity at certain institutions of higher education.	2/14/2019
North Dakota	SB2320	A BILL for an Act to create and enact chapter of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to free speech at institutions under the control of the state board of higher education.	2/15/2019
Connecticut	SB840	To protect the freedom of expression of faculty members at public institutions of higher education in their scholarship, research and teaching and regarding matters of public interest.	2/15/2019

Currently Tracking 25 Measures in 2019:

Firearms on Campus Recent Legislative Update:

Legislature	Bill Number	Title	Latest Action Date
Florida	SB598	SB 598: Firearms	2/12/2019
Missouri	HB575	Allows institutions of higher education to designate one or more faculty or staff members as campus protection officers	2/13/2019
South Carolina	HB3456	SC Constitutional Carry Act of 2019	2/13/2019
South Dakota	SB122	restrict the enactment of policies governing the possession of firearms at public institutions of higher education.	2/14/2019
Oklahoma	SB345	Firearms; allowing certain carry without license; requiring certain training. Effective date.	2/14/2019
Florida	SB752	SB 752: Concealed Weapons and Firearms	2/15/2019
Oklahoma	HB2597	Firearms; adding exception to certain prohibited act; adding condition that allows for firearms to be lawfully carried; effective date.	2/18/2019

Currently Tracking 29 Pieces of Legislation in 2019:

Federal Summaries:

H.J. Res. 31-Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019

Primary sponsor: Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (Introduced 1/22/2019)

Lasted Action: Signed by the President 2/15/2019

H.J. Res. 31 provides funding through Sept. 30 for nine federal departments and $1.4 billion to strengthen the US-Mexico border. The spending resolution does not reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act which was left to expire at the end of December 2018

RELEVANT REGULATIONS:

**Want to submit comments of your own? Check out NASPA’s Q&A on submitting public comments**

Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs

-A Notice by the Education Department on 2/13/2019

-Office for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, Department of Education

Summary: “On February 12, 2018, the Department of Education (Department) published a set of common instructions for applicants seeking funds under a Department discretionary grant competition as part of a broader effort to reduce barriers for applicants. These common instructions are referenced in individual competition notices inviting applications (NIAs). In this notice, we are publishing a revised version of the common instructions that supersedes the version published on February 12, 2018.”

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Gainful Employment Disclosure Template

-A Notice by the Education Department on 2/13/2019

-Comment period that ends on 3/15/2019

-Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED)

Summary:  “The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.”

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