ACUHO-I News Blog » Legislation http://blog.acuho-i.org News by and for college and university housing professionals Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:00:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Health Care Reform May Affect Institution Insurance Plans http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/10/health-care-reform-may-affect-institution-insurance-plans/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/10/health-care-reform-may-affect-institution-insurance-plans/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:15:00 +0000 Emily Glenn http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=1517 healthThe Senate Finance Committee’s recently approved health care bill specifies two sorts of health care plans: employer-provided and individual policies purchased through an insurance exchange. To much of the population, this would seem to cover all the forms of insurance, but those affiliated with college and universities know there’s a third way: college- and university-issued insurance. Health insurance plans issued by institutions of higher education fall into another category, “limited duration products” according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

This may be an inadvertent mistake, and representatives of the American College Health Association have written to Senators requesting clarification.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that, in 2007, 67% of college students 18-23 received health insurance through employer-provided plans (likely their parents’ plans); 6% used Medicaid and the like; 20% were uninsured, and 7% had insurance through another private plan, such as an college-issued program.

Student insurance plans were offered at 71% of private institutions, 82% of public institutions and 29% of two-year public institutions in 2008, reported the GAO.

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/10/health-care-reform-may-affect-institution-insurance-plans/feed/ 1 You Were Asking: Legislation and Representation http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/09/you-were-asking-legislation-and-representation/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/09/you-were-asking-legislation-and-representation/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:02:48 +0000 Emily Glenn http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=1386 librarianThe ACUHO-I Central Office regularly gets calls about legislation, particularly whether we represent the interests of housing professionals in Washington, D.C. We do! A lobbyist in Washington works on behalf of ACUHO-I and a consortium of other student affairs organizations. Our lobbyist keeps us updated on potential legislation and the rule-making process that follows passage of a bill. ACUHO-I’s Public Policy Advisory committee, chaired by Bill Fox, gathers opinions and thoughts on legislation and rules and forwards these to our lobbyist. I am the committee’s liaison, and assist them with anything they need from the Central Office or ACUHO-I at large.

If there is legislation in which you are particularly interested or in which you have expertise, the committee would love to hear from you. Especially when legislation is being debated in Congress or during the rule-making period (when the parameters of a law are set and its enforcement determined) it is important for professionals in the field to contribute their thoughts on proposed laws or rules.

As you likely know, there’s been a lot of action on Capitol Hill concerning higher education and particularly the student affairs and safety sides of things, and our committee has been working hard on ACUHO-I’s response to these issues. In the rule-making process right now is legislation on fire safety reporting; crime statistics and institutional security policy reporting (including missing persons reporting); emergency procedures; readmission requirements for service members; and file-sharing education. Obviously, housing is very closely connected to  many of these issues and we’re particularly interested in some of these, particularly the fire safety reporting. Check out this letter: Letter to Dept of Ed for HEOA Draft. It was written by ACUHO-I and our partner associations, regarding our thoughts on the rule-making process. If you can contribute your professional thoughts, we would greatly appreciate it.

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/09/you-were-asking-legislation-and-representation/feed/ 0 Read All About It http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/09/read-all-about-it-0921/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/09/read-all-about-it-0921/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:16:53 +0000 James Baumann http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=1327 newsThis week’s items from InsideHigherEd.com are filled with legislation news regarding student financial aid plus news about enrollment figures.

HOUSE PASSES STUDENT AID BILL: Legislation to reshape loan programs and bolster Pell Grants and community colleges passes along partisan lines. Now focus shifts to the Senate:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/09/18/aid

MORE AID DOESN’T MEAN  MORE GRADUATES: Study finds that massive infusion of grant aid in Quebec increased students’ college going and persistence, but did not raise graduation rates:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/09/14/aid

STEEP HILL TO CLIMB: Lacking major push for college access like that envisioned by White House and others, enrollments would grow by only 13 percent through 2018, far short of President Obama’s goal, U.S. study finds:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/09/16/nces

GROWING GRADUATE ENROLLMENTS: Gains by female, minority and American students led to 4.5 percent increase in those starting programs in fall of 2008:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/09/16/enroll

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newsA selection of college housing and student affairs headlines from InsideHigherEd.com. This week looks at private college enrollment and student financial aid in addition to other higher ed news.

DODGING THE BULLET: Many feared private colleges would lose students amid the recession, but on average they’ve slightly increased enrollment, according to a new survey:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/07/20/naicu

“NEW CONVERSATION” ON BLACK COLLEGES: Obama administration’s pick to lead White House initiative says it is time to emphasize excellence, and move beyond the “against great odds” narrative:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/07/21/wilson

NO VACANCY: California’s community colleges are being told to enroll more and more students — even as they cannot find ways to educate and graduate those already there:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/07/21/california

AID BILL MOVES, AMID MISGIVINGS: House panel approves sweeping changes in college grant and loan programs, despite strenuous objections of Republicans and significant discomfort of most college groups:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/07/22/house

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/07/read-all-about-it-0727/feed/ 0 Is It What She’s Asking, or the Way She’s Asking? http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/06/is-it-what-shes-asking-or-the-way-shes-asking/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/06/is-it-what-shes-asking-or-the-way-shes-asking/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:11:54 +0000 Emily Glenn http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=683 target1A student at Community College of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania wanted to start a club. So she created a brochure about her intended group and distributed it on campus. College officials called the student to the dean’s office and told her she should follow established channels for creating a student group: Completing an application; showing that at least 10 students have an interest in the group; and getting a faculty adviser. The student also says, however, that Community College of Allegheny County officials questioned the purpose of her group, and advised her not to move forward with its formation. College officials say their concerns were centered on preventing unauthorized solicitation on campus.

Christine Brashier was attempting to form a chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, and she says the intent of her proposed group was the real problem, that the leadership of her school is attempting to thwart her attempts to start a pro-concealed-carry organization. Brashier contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (better known as FIRE), and FIRE wrote college president Alex Johnson with their concerns. In this Boston Globe story, representatives of FIRE claim that similar issues have arisen at other institutions as well.

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/06/is-it-what-shes-asking-or-the-way-shes-asking/feed/ 0 Gophers are Shovel Ready http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/04/gophers-are-shovel-ready/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/04/gophers-are-shovel-ready/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:23:32 +0000 James Baumann http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=416 moneyThose Golden Gophers from Minnesota are the the first college in the country to use Build America Bonds to help fund new campus constrution projects. According to InsideHigherEd.com, these bonds were created to help state and local governments raise money for building projects by making it significantly cheaper for them to issue taxable bonds.

Among the intended projects listed in the official release from the school, was a new residence hall on the university’s Crookston campus. The article also discusses how the University of West Florida is taking advantage of additional changes in tax law that will open more funding options for their much-needed new residence hall; receiving a $15 million loan that would not have been possible just three months ago.

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/04/gophers-are-shovel-ready/feed/ 0 Read All About It http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/04/read-all-about-it-0413/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/04/read-all-about-it-0413/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:55:21 +0000 James Baumann http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=408 newsA selection of college housing and student affairs headlines from InsideHigherEd.com. Look for these on a weekly basis in the ACUHO-I news blog.

CAN WE BE BUDS? More than 130 college presidents called for rethinking the drinking age to curb alcohol abuse. Marijuana activists say reducing penalties for pot could have the same effect:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/09/pot

A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: When bishops and college presidents don’t get along, things can get very complicated for those leading Catholic colleges:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/10/scranton

10% ADMISSIONS — THE FULL IMPACT: New studies show dramatic shifts since Texas enacted law – toward reaching more high schools, but possibly excluding more transfers from community colleges:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/06/texas

GI BILL LETS VETERANS TAKE FLIGHT: Literally. Final figures for maximum tuition and fees payable to veterans climb even higher, driven upwards by high-cost programs like aviation:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/09/gi

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/04/read-all-about-it-0413/feed/ 0 Read All About It http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/read-all-about-it-feb23/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/read-all-about-it-feb23/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:17:48 +0000 James Baumann http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=249 newsA selection of college housing and student affairs headlines from InsideHigherEd.com. Look for these on a weekly basis in the ACUHO-I news blog.

TRANSPARENT BOYCOTT TARGET: After Washington U. in St. Louis bans the sale of bottled water on campus, other anti-bottle campaigns gain momentum.
http://insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/19/water

NEW CHALLENGE TO GUN LIMITS ON CAMPUSES: Suspension of student at Western Oregon U. leads to calls to end firearms ban at colleges and universities in the state.
http://insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/16/guns

THE BUZZ AND SPIN ON 3-YEAR DEGREES: Idea of shaving a year off of college completion time gains attention. Some see ideal way to cut costs for students and institutions, others see a gimmick, and — to date — students haven’t embraced it.
http://insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/17/three

BAD BUDGET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE: As California leaders end impasse, plan to close huge gap cuts hundreds of millions in college operating support, but spares student aid and funds community college enrollment growth.
http://insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/20/california

THE NEW REVERSE TRANSFER: Part of the enrollment boom at community colleges comes from those who have left four-year institutions. Their choices — surprising to some — are saving money and may improve their odds at earning bachelor’s degrees.
http://insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/18/reverse

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/read-all-about-it-feb23/feed/ 0 Rules for the Rules: Fire Safety Right-to-Know Gets Detailed http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/rules-for-the-rules-campus-fire-safety-right-to-know-gets-detailed/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/rules-for-the-rules-campus-fire-safety-right-to-know-gets-detailed/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:29:26 +0000 Emily Glenn http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=223 United States Capitol Building

Last year, Congress passed a number of laws dealing with campus safety; among these were the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know regulations, which were included in the Higher Education Act. These regulations require institutions to report the number of fires, deaths in fires, and injuries from fires; how many beds are in halls with sprinklers and fire alarms; and the fire safety training provided to students and staff.

However, like all laws, there’s the rules, and then there are the rules that make up the rules. And this is the part of the process the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know legislation has reached. The US Department of Education is in the rule-making stage of the process, and they are seeking input.

Campus Firewatch has set up a handy site for those who would like to contribute their thoughts on how best this legislation can be worded and executed. If you would like to participate as a member of ACUHO-I through our Public Policy Advisory Committee, let us know!

]]> http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/rules-for-the-rules-campus-fire-safety-right-to-know-gets-detailed/feed/ 0 Read All About It http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/read-all-about-it-feb16/ http://blog.acuho-i.org/2009/02/read-all-about-it-feb16/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:15:01 +0000 James Baumann http://blog.acuho-i.org/?p=216 newsA selection of college housing and student affairs headlines from InsideHigherEd.com. Look for these on a weekly basis in the ACUHO-I news blog.

THE FINAL STIMULUS BILL: As details emerge, funds for science, students and states are plentiful; less so for college facilities and private institutions:
http://www.insidehighered.com/index.php/news/2009/02/13/stimulus

A NATIONAL (BUT NOT FEDERAL) STUDENT DATABASE: Grant from Gates Foundation aims to transform nonprofit clearinghouse into mechanism to track high school students through college — and, perhaps, eventually beyond:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/13/data

‘THE COMPANY HE KEEPS’: Author of new book on the history of fraternities discusses their positive, not so positive and unexpected histories:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/13/syrett

EARLY DECISION AND THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN: Because of maturity level, some high school students may be at even more of a disadvantage than their peers when it comes to making an early commitment to a college, study finds:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/12/early

ARE COLLEGE ATHLETES PSYCHING THEMSELVES OUT? Study suggests perceived threat of confirming negative stereotypes may cause some — but not all — of academic achievement gap between athletes and non-athletes:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/11/stereotype

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