SA Weekly: October 7

Welcome to SA Weekly, your destination for higher ed news, NASPA research and policy, constituent blogs, and more.

Federal Judge Upholds Harvard's Race-Conscious Admissions Process “The advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions says it will appeal the decision, which means the fate of race-conscious admissions could once again end up in the hands of the Supreme Court.”

New Law Creates Pot of Emergency Funds in California “Legislation signed into law Friday will let community colleges draw from a state fund of nearly $500 million for emergency financial aid.”

How Penn State Is Cutting Greenhouse Emissions In Half — And Saving Money “The university, which is as big as a city, has slashed its carbon emissions since 2004. That effort is now paying for itself in lower energy costs. Could actual cities do the same?”

More Title IX Lawsuits by Accusers and Accused “Increased legal challenges place mounting pressure on universities' Title IX proceedings.”

Outrage in Mississippi “Protests erupted after Glenn Boyce, who was involved in the search process, was appointed as the University of Mississippi’s new chancellor.”

The Push for Player Pay Goes National “Days after California enacted a law allowing college athletes to sign endorsement deals, lawmakers in other states and in Congress threaten legislation to advance player compensation.”

Accreditation and Innovation "The accreditation system worked -- slowly -- for an unusual start-up college aimed at adult students, according to a case study by the American Council on Education.”

Policy Update

Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold the Legality of DACA

Submitted by the American Council on Education and 43 other higher education associations, including NASPA, October 4, 2019

Within this amicus brief, NASPA along with other higher education associations asserts the importance of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in higher education, and the potential damage corresponding with the rescission of the policy. 

The FLSA Final Overtime Rule. Again by Teri Lyn Hinds, Director of Policy Research and Advocacy

Policy Research & Advocacy

University of California statement on filing of amicus briefs in support of DACA

UC Office of the President and UC Board of Regents, October 4, 2019

The Regents of the University of California was the first university board to sue to the United States government following the announcement of a DACA rescission in September of 2017. The case is set to be argued on November 12, 2019. In September, the Center for American Progress released a report using 2019 survey data of DACA recipients that show the extent of what is at stake for recipients and the nation at large.

Republican Governors Call to Expand Pell Grant to Prisoners, Short-Term Programs

NASFAA, October 7, 2019

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) has reported this week that a number of Republican governors have sent a letter to leaders of the Senate Higher Education Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee in support of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students. This support is coming on the heels of Senator Lamar Alexander’s proposal to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (HEA) through piecemeal legislation, which is currently receiving strong opposition from Senate Democrats.

Regulatory Updates

Improving Access to Affordable, High Quality Child Care: Request for Information

• Notice by the Children and Families Administration, October 2, 2019
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Comment period that ends on December 2, 2019

Summary from the Federal Register: “As part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) commitment to supporting working families and promoting the healthy development and well-being of children, ACF is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders on strategies to improve access to high quality, affordable child care in the U.S. Child care is one of the biggest expenses a family faces and can be a barrier to work. The average cost of center-based infant childcare in 28 states is more than college tuition. At the same time, childcare settings are a place of learning and education for children from the time they are infants and toddlers through their school-age years. Access to high quality learning opportunities lays the foundation for children's development and, ultimately, their success in school and in life. Unfortunately, many families do not have access to the affordable, high quality childcare their children need. This Request for Information seeks public comment on: Identifying emerging and innovative practices to improve access to high quality child care, as well as identifying regulatory and other policies that unnecessarily drive up the cost of care or limit parents' choice of different child care options; and identifying ways to improve funding of child care and other related early education programs to support quality and create a more streamlined, equitable, and sustainable financing framework for future generations. Information collected through this request may be used by ACF in the development of future rulemaking and technical assistance, formation of legislative proposals and research agendas, and/or strategic planning.”

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

Around NASPA

Which Box do I Check by Kira Muñoz, MultiRacial Knowledge Community

Beyond Universities: What I Learned About Student Affairs During My Internship Away From Campus by Blake Lewis, New Professionals and Graduate Students Knowledge Community

Building an Intercultural Resource Center at Coastline College by Kate Mueller, Community Colleges Division