Federal and state policy and legislative updates

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 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 Education

• Title IX updated Rule (sexual harassment, gender, and pregnancy) from US Dept. of Education subject of new injunction by federal court reports K-12 Dive
• College student loan forgiveness plan reinstatement request by Biden Administration denied by US Supreme Court reports CBS News
• As college financial aid form overhaul disrupts college enrollments, Education Secretary Cardona promises improvements reports NBC News
• Virginia Foxx and Jason Smith demand colleges detail preparations to prevent campus disruptions, anti-Semitic harassment, and intimidation in letter
• College safety and inclusivity leadership guide published by the US Dept. of Education
• College scholarships at the University of Illinois claimed to be discriminatory and face a federal complaint reports The College Fix

Federal Health

• New COVID-19 vaccines approved for distribution by the FDA
• National Suicide Prevention Month Toolkit for 2024 released by SAMHSA
• Young adult substance use disorder prevention resource guide published by SAMHSA

Federal Legislation

• College financial assistance prohibiting those engaged in civil unrest setting bill, “FAFSA Act” (HR 8902), text becomes available

State and Local Government

California

• California college discrimination-free program requiring bill amended, passes the state assembly, and passes committee in the state senate
• California community college student equity plan requiring bill passes the state legislature
• California colleges’ veteran student housing information requiring bill passes the state legislature and sent to the governor
• California college undocumented individual employment disqualifying bill passes the state legislature

Louisiana

• Louisiana State Senator challenges University of Louisiana’s off-campus gun-free zones, citing potential legal risks

Virginia

• Virginia College Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program establishing bill carried over to 2025
• Virginia college application fee data requiring bill carried over to 2025 legislative session

Funding

• College student outcome support funding awarded by the US Dept. of Education under the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG)

Other News – Education

• College housing costs rising faster than tuition and college solutions subject of The Hechinger Report article
• College students worried about high costs of course materials finds new survey
• College seniors believe college education boosts job prospects despite concerns about competition according to Handshake survey
• College workforce stats reported on by Inside Higher Ed

Other News – Health & Wellness

• College health plans and expenses highlighted in USA Today article
• COVID-19 vaccination reduces risk of post-infection mental health issues finds new study

Other News – Civil Rights

• Rutgers University suspends Students for Justice in Palestine chapter over protest violations reports local news source
• University of Kentucky dissolves its DEI office in response to potential legislative changes reports Higher Ed Dive
• UNC Charlotte closes its DEI offices to comply with new system-wide neutrality policy reports Higher Ed Dive

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.