June 13, 2024
Introduction by Barbara Mistick
Dear Colleagues:
On Monday, NAICU partnered with the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC) to host another in a a series of Capitol Hill briefings. This week’s event highlighted campus programs focused on college to career pathways and helped dispel the myth that a bachelor’s degree is a detour away from—rather than a solid pathway toward—a well-paying, in-demand job and career.
I would like to thank Sean Huddleston, president of Martin University (IN), Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks (MO), and Deborah Obalil, president and executive director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, for providing their insights to an audience of nearly 50 congressional staff. All our panelists offered compelling evidence about the strategies and services they deploy to prepare students to successfully transition to the workforce.
In other good news, I am pleased to report that the Bipartisan Workforce Pell amendment and the DETERRENT Act amendment that were offered to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) were ruled out of order on Tuesday (see story below for more details). As a result, neither amendment, both of which would negatively affect private, nonprofit colleges and universities, will advance with the underlying NDAA bill. This is yet another example of the collective efforts of NAICU members paying off. Thank you to those who engaged with their Members of Congress on this issue.
Webinar Reminder: NAICU is hosting a webinar on June 20 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT (registration) to help you and your campus leaders prepare for the 2024 election season, which is likely to be polarizing and could result in the next wave of tough campus conversations and possible unrest. This webinar will provide campus leaders with insights on preparing for and managing the gamut of issues that likely will arise: from the Dos and Don’ts of voter registration to political expression and engagement on campus. It will also provide an overview of key legal, operational, and communications considerations that should factor into campus preparations. Panelists:
As Congress proposes punitive new legislation that will disproportionately affect our sector and the Administration rolls out some of the most costly and burdensome regulatory requirements we have seen in decades, I sent an Action Alert yesterday urging you to begin preparing for engaging your Members of Congress during the upcoming summer recesses.
NAICU has identified four key priority issue areas (the FAFSA delay, regulatory burdens, student aid funding, and institutional risk-sharing and the College Cost Reduction Act) that we’d like for you to discuss with your elected officials and have created talking points for each to help with those conversations.
I hope you can find the time this summer to have these important conversations with your representatives.
This week’s Washington Update also reports on the status of a court ruling pertaining to President Biden’s Title IX guidance on LGBTQ students.
Enjoy your weekend!
Regards,
Barbara K. Mistick D.B.A.
President, NAICU
On Monday, NAICU partnered with the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC) to host another in a a series of Capitol Hill briefings. This week’s event highlighted campus programs focused on college to career pathways and helped dispel the myth that a bachelor’s degree is a detour away from—rather than a solid pathway toward—a well-paying, in-demand job and career.
I would like to thank Sean Huddleston, president of Martin University (IN), Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks (MO), and Deborah Obalil, president and executive director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, for providing their insights to an audience of nearly 50 congressional staff. All our panelists offered compelling evidence about the strategies and services they deploy to prepare students to successfully transition to the workforce.
In other good news, I am pleased to report that the Bipartisan Workforce Pell amendment and the DETERRENT Act amendment that were offered to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) were ruled out of order on Tuesday (see story below for more details). As a result, neither amendment, both of which would negatively affect private, nonprofit colleges and universities, will advance with the underlying NDAA bill. This is yet another example of the collective efforts of NAICU members paying off. Thank you to those who engaged with their Members of Congress on this issue.
Webinar Reminder: NAICU is hosting a webinar on June 20 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT (registration) to help you and your campus leaders prepare for the 2024 election season, which is likely to be polarizing and could result in the next wave of tough campus conversations and possible unrest. This webinar will provide campus leaders with insights on preparing for and managing the gamut of issues that likely will arise: from the Dos and Don’ts of voter registration to political expression and engagement on campus. It will also provide an overview of key legal, operational, and communications considerations that should factor into campus preparations. Panelists:
- Joel Buckman, partner, Hogan Lovells
- Leslie Reynolds, executive director, National Association of Secretaries of State
- Teresa Valerio Parrot, principal, TVP Communications
- Last week, NAICU joined 24 organizations in sending a letter to Secretary Miguel Cardona urging the Department of Education to commit to the October 1 launch date for next year’s FAFSA to ensure that students and institutions have the time and resources necessary to pursue their higher educational goals.
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Home & Away Advocacy 2024 |
NAICU has identified four key priority issue areas (the FAFSA delay, regulatory burdens, student aid funding, and institutional risk-sharing and the College Cost Reduction Act) that we’d like for you to discuss with your elected officials and have created talking points for each to help with those conversations.
I hope you can find the time this summer to have these important conversations with your representatives.
This week’s Washington Update also reports on the status of a court ruling pertaining to President Biden’s Title IX guidance on LGBTQ students.
Enjoy your weekend!
Regards,
Barbara K. Mistick D.B.A.
President, NAICU