News from NAICU

Today, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, handed down its ruling in Biden v. Nebraska, striking down President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan.
 
According to the ruling, “[t]he HEROES Act allows the Secretary to ‘waive or modify’ existing statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to financial assistance programs under the Education Act but does not allow the Secretary to rewrite that statute to the extent of canceling $430 billion of student loan principal.”
 
Regardless of the ruling, student loan repayments must restart by September 1, 2023, under the terms of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which formalized plans already underway by the Department of Education to restart payments at the end of the summer. 
 
In response to today’s ruling, NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. issued the following statement:
 
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling makes the restart of student loan repayments somewhat more complicated because 20 million more borrowers will now have to make payments who otherwise would have had their remaining loan balances paid off had President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan been upheld.
 
“Despite the difficulties of restarting loan repayments for 43 million student loan borrowers, the broader policy question is what the federal loan program should look like in the future.  Both the Administration and various members of Congress from both parties have proposals that would fundamentally reexamine the current terms and conditions of student loans, including repayment options and what should be the limit on the amount of interest the federal government charges borrowers, particularly through capitalization.  This is an important conversation that has been overshadowed by the more public debate over student loan forgiveness.
 
“NAICU looks forward to participating in the conversation about the future of student loans, and in particular, how and when the federal government is going to subsidize student loans and how much of the program costs are going to be assumed by borrowers.  In many ways, these questions have not been fully and holistically debated since the federal student loan program began in 1965.” 

Today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, holding that race-conscious admissions programs at both Harvard University and the University of North Carolina violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution. (Read a round-up of media coverage.)
 
Although the ruling does not impose an outright ban on race-conscious admissions at colleges and universities, the constitutional test it establishes, particularly its focus on a lack of a meaningful end point, will effectively end such programs, while leaving the door open for institutions of higher education to consider an applicant’s lived experiences, including those referencing race.
 
NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. issued the following statement:
 
“The idea of race-conscious admissions in higher education is a highly debated and complex topic that has been at the forefront of campus and community discussions for years.  Having many conversations with college leaders, I know that racial equity in higher education is a top priority.
 
“While the opinions from the justices will take some time to parse, it is clear that the Supreme Court’s decision establishes a new framework for the future of higher education admissions that will have wide-ranging implications.
 
“It is essential to recognize that affirmative action emerged as a response to historical and systemic inequalities that have persisted in our society.  Its intention is to address deeply rooted disadvantages faced by marginalized communities and create a more equitable and inclusive society.
 
“While it is critical that leaders have the ability to make decisions that best serve their campus and communities, I know that college and university presidents will work within the parameters of the law while adhering to their institutional missions.
 
“It is clear that opportunities for all Americans of all backgrounds to pursue a higher education is essential to our nation’s future.  The ability of each institution to build a community that best serves their diverse missions is important not only to each institution but also to preserving our nation’s leadership in bringing people of divergent backgrounds together into a single nation. 
 
“Even with today’s decision, I am certain that diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, demographics, religions, life experiences, and more will remain core educational values for private, nonprofit higher education.  We must continue to explore alternative solutions and find common ground to address the underlying issues of inequality and discrimination that persist in our society.”

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) announced today that Justin Monk has been named director of student and institutional aid policy. Monk joins NAICU from the KIPP Foundation, where he was the director of government affairs.

“I am pleased to welcome Justin to NAICU where he will be an integral part of our government relations team and an important voice for our members and their students on issues of federal aid,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. “Justin brings a very strong and bipartisan set of accomplishments to NAICU and his past advocacy experience and connections on Capitol Hill will be incredibly important to independent higher education.”

As director of student and institutional aid policy, Monk will be the lead policy expert on Title IV federal student assistance programs and the institutional aid programs found in Titles III and V of the Higher Education Act (HEA). He will be responsible for developing NAICU’s policy positions on student and institutional aid, in conjunction with the association’s member college, university, and association presidents. Monk also will represent those positions and NAICU’s viewpoints to Congress, the White House, the Department of Education, and other agencies as warranted.

In his previous position at the KIPP Foundation, Monk was the key advocate advancing the foundation’s policy, legislative and regulatory priorities on Capitol Hill and in the Administration. In this role, he also served as the primary point person for federal stakeholders and helped develop written and verbal communications to advance KIPP’s policy agenda.

Monk also led the foundation’s analysis of policies, legislation and regulations to assess their impact on key KIPP constituencies.

Prior to his work at KIPP, Monk served as the director of policy at Student Veterans of America (SVA). In this role, he focused on the intersection of veterans’ affairs and higher education and helped champion dozens of laws being passed to better serve our nation’s veterans.

“NAICU was fortunate to see Justin’s work up close and in-person as we advocated side-by-side with him and his team at SVA to pass important and sensible amendments to the GI Bill to make benefits more responsive to the real life needs of veterans,” said Sarah Flanagan, NAICU vice president for government relations and policy development. “Justin has years of experience in the legislative and regulatory arenas advocating for proactive and common-sense solutions to improve student outcomes and will be a valuable addition to our team.”

Monk, who will begin in his new position on June 28, earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from Wake Forest University (NC) and a bachelor of science in business administration in economics from Appalachian State University (NC).
 
With more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and associations as members, NAICU serves as the unified national voice of independent higher education and reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the United States. NAICU’s member institutions include major research universities, faith-based colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions, art and design colleges, traditional liberal arts and science institutions, women’s colleges, two-year colleges, and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business, and other professions.
 

Constance “Connie” Ledoux Book, Ph.D., president of the Elon University (NC), has been elected chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).  Book leads a list of four new board officers and 14 new board members who will take office on July 1, 2023.

Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing the nation’s 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU board members set the association’s agenda on federal higher education policy, actively encourage support for the association’s priorities and initiatives, and oversee the organization’s financial administration.  Board members serve three-year terms, while officers serve one-year terms.

“Connie Book, a passionate advocate for higher education and its power to transform student’s lives, possesses a deep commitment to private higher education and an insightful view of the political environment in Washington,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. “As president of the Elon University, she has worked to enhance the university’s national leadership in experiential education, mentoring and student success. I look forward to working with Dr. Book in the coming year to advance the goals of private, nonprofit higher education.”

“NAICU’s advocacy on behalf of the important work of private colleges and universities in our country has a long legacy of positive impact,” Book said.  “I’m honored to serve as chair during such a critical period for higher education.” 

Book will succeed Eric F. Spina, Ph.D., president of University of Dayton (OH), who will remain on the board as immediate past chair.

Book Background

Book became the ninth president of Elon University in July 2018.  Under her leadership, Elon was reclassified as a Doctoral/Professional university and made its debut among the top 100 National Universities in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. 

In 2020, Book led creation of the 10-year Boldly Elon strategic plan to continue enhancing and expanding the university's mission to prepare ethical, resilient and agile graduates who shape the future. The number of full-time faculty positions has grown, and innovative new academic programs have been established in engineering, nursing, science and technology. In addition, she advanced new initiatives to create connections to the local community through partnerships with public schools and regional businesses, and strategic partnerships with, and support for, a thriving Town of Elon.

In addition to leading Boldly Elon initiatives, Book recently completed the $250 million Elon LEADS comprehensive campaign, which she kicked off in 2019. 

Book joined Elon’s faculty as assistant professor of communications in 1999, teaching courses in new media, broadcast policy, news writing, research and production. She also served as department chair and associate dean of the School of Communications.  In 2015, she accepted a groundbreaking role as the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, before returning to Elon in her current role.

Book earned a doctorate from the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from Northwestern State University (Louisiana) and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University. (Book’s complete bio is available on the Elon University website)

Other New NAICU Board Officers
Three other individuals were elected as Board officers, serving one-year terms expiring in June 2024:

• Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., president of Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, will serve as Vice Chair. She is in line to assume the board chair post in July 2024.
• Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D., president of Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN, will serve as Treasurer. 
• Ernest C. McNealey, Ph.D., president of Allen University in Columbia, SC, will serve as Secretary.

At the same time, four board members have been appointed as chairs of the association’s standing committees on policy and programs and will join the officers as members of the Executive Committee:

• Greg G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., president of Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, will serve as chair of the Audit Committee.
• Burton J. Webb, Ph.D., president of the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, KY, will chair the Committee on Accountability.
• John E. Cech, Ph.D., president of Carroll College in Helena, MT, will chair the Committee on Student Aid.
• Elizabeth L. Paul, Ph.D., president of Nazareth College in Rochester, NY will serve as chair of the Committee on Tax Policy.

Two other board members, representing allied organizations also will serve on the Executive Committee:

• Robert LeFevre, president of the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, will represent the National Association of Independent College and University State Executives, whose members lead the state associations of private, nonprofit colleges and universities in 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
• Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Washington, DC will represent the NAICU Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of 26 member associations representing the many regional and special-purpose independent colleges and universities across the country. 

New NAICU Board Members
Eight individuals were elected to three-year terms ending in June 2026, representing the association’s eight national regions:

• Marie F. Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., president of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, will represent Region I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• Marylou Yam, Ph.D., president of Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD, will represent Region II (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York).
• Elizabeth M. Meade, Ph.D., president of Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, will represent Region III (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia).
• Suzanne E. Walsh, J.D., MSSA, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, NC, will represent Region IV (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Caroline, and Virginia).
• Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN, will represent Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin).
• Brad Carson, J.D., president of University of Tulsa, OK, will represent Region VI (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas).
• Rachelle K. Keck, Ph.D., J.D., president of Grand View University in Des Moines, IA, will represent Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota).
• Audrey Bilger, Ph.D., president of Reed College in Portland, OR, will represent Region VIII (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado., Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).

Four additional individuals were named to three-year terms as at-large board members with terms ending in June 2026:

• David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL.
• Gilberto J. Marxuach-Torros, J.D., president of Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in 
• San Juan, PR.
• Krista L. Newkirk, J.D., president of University of Redlands in Redlands, CA.
• Tania Tetlow, J.D., president of Fordham University in New York, NY. 

NAICU serves as the unified voice for the 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in our nation. Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU’s membership reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the U.S. Our member institutions include major research universities, faith-based colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions, art and design colleges, traditional liberal arts and science institutions, women’s colleges, work colleges, two-year colleges and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business and other professions.
 

A new national survey by the Marist Poll shows overwhelming public support for doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and found that more than six-in-ten Americans say college leads to a better job and an improved position in life.
 
The national survey of 1,257 adults (including 1,135 registered voters) was conducted by the Marist Poll as part of a presentation to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities during its 2023 Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
 
Nationally, 74% of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant and less than one quarter (24%) oppose such an increase.  These data are consistent with findings from a national poll NAICU conducted in November 2021, which showed that 75% of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant.
 
“The Pell Grant program has helped over 80 million students during its first 50 years,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick.  “This is a program whose support from policymakers has historically transcended political ideology.  Today, we see that Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Americans from all backgrounds across the country want to see this critical student aid funding program significantly expanded.”
 
The proposal enjoys widespread support across party lines, income and regional demographics, and races.

Strongly Support/Support Doubling Pell
 

National Adults	74%		Household Income
Republican	57		<$50,000	77%
Democrat	89		$50,000-$99,000	73
Independent	71		$100,000 or >	73
Region			Race/Ethnicity
Northeast	71%		Black	89%
Midwest	71		Latino	74
South	75		White	72
West	77

National Adults	65%
Republican	57
Democrat	78
Independent	62

“Americans understand the value and life-long impact of a higher education,” said Mistick.  “The key is to ensure that any student who wishes to attend a college or university – two-year or four-year – can access and afford it.  Doubling the Pell Grant would expand eligibility and increase affordability for low-income students across the country.  The time has come to double the Pell Grant maximum.”
 
The findings are from a survey of 1,257 adults conducted January 23rd through January 26th, 2023, by the Marist Poll as part of a presentation for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) 2023 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: respondents were contacted by live interviewers, by text, or online. Survey questions were available in English or Spanish. Results are statistically significant within ±3.6 percentage points.  The error margin was adjusted for sample weights and increases for cross-tabulations.