Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick
Dear Colleagues:
It was another relatively quiet week on the policy and regulatory fronts in Washington as Congress remains in recess until after the elections. This lack of action is reflected in the brief nature of this week’s Washington Update.
Next week is NAICU’s annual Fall Leadership Conference here in Washington. The gathering is an opportunity for members of NAICU’s national board and leadership to discuss the issues facing private, nonprofit higher education and chart the association’s path forward. With a lame-duck Congress weeks away and a new administration and a new Congress on the horizon, we are not only tracking current issues, but also trying to read the tea leaves and anticipate the potential impact of the possible election outcomes.
These meetings are critically important as we seek to set our course for the upcoming 119th Congress. For those coming to Washington next week, I wish you safe travels, and I look forward to our discussions.
As I’m writing this, the devastation and destruction in Florida due to Hurricane Milton is still being assessed even as parts of the state are still recovering from Hurricane Helene a few weeks ago. The next several days will highlight just how severe and damaging this week’s hurricane was and what the impact will be on communities across the state.
I know that several of our member institutions in North Carolina are still dealing with extensive damage to their campuses and communities in the aftermath of Helene as well.
Again, for those in the affected areas, I hope you and your campus communities are safe today and support reaches those who need it as quickly as possible.
As another reminder, NAICU has created an issue brief that summarizes FEMA disaster-related resources, and we hosted a webinar on how best to work with the agency before, during, and after a disaster. If we can be of any help during this time, please reach out to us.
Soundbite
- As part of the its Raise the Bar initiative, the Department of Education has named 200 colleges and universities that are eligible to participate in its Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, which identifies institutions that increase economic mobility. Both bachelor’s degree-granting institutions and associate’s or certificate-granting institutions are among the institutions that qualify for recognition. Eligible institutions are invited to apply for recognition, and applications must be submitted to PSRecognitionProgram@ed.gov by 5:00 p.m. EDT on November 1, 2024.
I hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Regards,
Barbara
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU