Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues:

NAICU is publishing this week’s Washington Update one day early in observance of Good Friday and the start of Passover. For those of you who celebrate, I hope you have meaningful Passover and Easter celebrations this weekend with your family, friends, and campus communities.

Because Congress is in recess for this holiday break, action on issues pertaining to higher education was limited this week.  Today’s issue reports on two sets of informational sessions we encourage you to participate in as appropriate: 1) listening sessions hosted by the Department of Labor pertaining to the proposed overtime rule; and 2) “office hours” at the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the 85/15 rule.

Soundbites

• SAVE THE DATE: NAICU is partnering with the Department of State to host a webinar on the future of international student exchange programs. The webinar will be held on April 27 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT. (Register)

 

• SAVE THE DATE: On April 26, from 1:00-2:15 p.m. EDT, the #DoublePell Alliance is hosting a free advocacy training webinar for student advocates and student organizers on campus titled, “Join the Movement: How Student Advocacy Can Help Make #DoublePell Happen.” (Register)  The event will feature Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), Tom Schnurr, director of government affairs at the Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities in New York, other advocacy experts, and current students as they explain how to get involved in #DoublePell advocacy. I hope you will pass this information along to your students.

 

• The higher education community partnered with a broad coalition of mental health groups this week to send a letter to key congressional leaders asking for more support for the mental health crisis facing American college students.  More than 80 higher education associations signed the letter, including NAICU and more than 30 other NAICU-member associations.

DID YOU KNOW?

Seventy-five percent of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant, including 66% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats. (Data graphics and social media resources)

• Source: A survey conducted by GBAO, on behalf of NAICU, of 1,000 registered voters, interviewed via online web panel.  November 2021. 

A reminder that Congress is home for a two-week break.  This is an excellent time to reach out to your elected officials, have them to campus and discuss the many public policy issues before us, including doubling Pell. 
 

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick