Public Policy and Governmental Affairs
ACPA-College Student Educators International is consistently involved in high-stakes and high-profile government processes that affect higher education. We often find it necessary to join in advocacy with other associations to amplify our voices, take a position on certain issues, and offer support to public policy that aligns with our mission, vision and values. With the ever changing climate in our world today, it is imperative that we are transparent with members about our positions on pressing issues and work in public policy. This webpage serves as a resource to review formal documents that ACPA has drafted, are in the process of reviewing, or signed on to support.
The public policy work is guided by the ACPA Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Task Force. The task force is responsible for scanning and evaluating the political landscape, and developing strategies to address the concerns, issues, and challenges of members and/or the higher education field particularly related to political and legislative activities, as well as advise and recommend position and public policy statements to the ACPA Leadership Council.
Public Policy and Government Affairs Task Force
Chair, Public Policy & Governmental Affairs:
Raymond V. Plaza
General Members:
Terry Paape, Adam Williamson, Erin Mayo, Cody Nielson, Terrian Garvis, Nicholas Stroup, Rimma Korchmit, Claire Robbins, Alan Schwitzer
International Office Staff Liaison:
Brian Hercliff-Proffer
Public Policy Priority Areas
ACPA-College Student Educators International is committed to ongoing engagement in higher education policy discussions and/or advocating for specific issues relevant to our purpose, mission and values.
In line with our purpose, mission and values, the following Public Policy Priority areas have been developed to help guide our engagement in the public policy space in order to better serve our members and the field of Higher Education.
- Students Matter: Every student matters and are valued for who they are and what they bring to higher education
- Faculty & Staff Matter: Faculty and staff play a critical role in the development of the student experience and within the overall higher education setting
- Access to Services & Support: Fair and equitable treatment and access to services is available to all members of the institutional community
- Academic Discourse: The ability for students, faculty and staff to engage in civil dialogue inside and outside of the classroom and to learn and teach about concepts and topics without censorship.
- Community & Belonging: Community and Belonging are vital to ensure success within the higher education space
- Relationship with Local Communities: Higher Education institutions are integral to the local communities where they are housed and must be active and engaged partners
- Value of Higher Education: The value and importance of Higher Education and its contributions for the greater good in society
The ACPA Policy Pulse is a monthly series of open conversations and webinar-style learning sessions focused on the latest public policy and advocacy efforts of ACPA. Designed as a space for connection and learning, this series invites ACPA members to come together to process recent legislation, digest its implications for higher education, and engage with colleagues and experts who are closely involved in the issues at hand. Whether you’re looking to stay informed, ask questions, or deepen your understanding of national policy developments, Policy Pulse offers a timely, supportive forum to learn and grow together.
20
20May2025 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Policy Pulse: May 2025 Community Conversation
Online
ACPA Policy Pulse is a monthly series of open conversations and webinar-style learning sessions focused on the latest public policy and advocacy efforts of ACPA. Designed as a space for connection and learning, this series invites ACPA members to come together to process recent legislation, digest its implications for higher education, and engage with colleagues and experts who are closely involved in the issues at hand.
11
11Jun2025 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Policy Pulse: June 2025 Learning Session
Online
The ACPA Policy Pulse is a monthly series of open conversations and webinar-style presentations focused on the latest public policy and advocacy efforts of ACPA. Designed as a space for connection and learning, this series invites ACPA members to come together to process recent legislation, digest its implications for higher education, and engage with colleagues and experts who are closely involved in the issues at hand.
24
24Jul2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Policy Pulse: July 2025 Community Conversation
Online
ACPA Policy Pulse is a monthly series of open conversations and webinar-style learning sessions focused on the latest public policy and advocacy efforts of ACPA. Designed as a space for connection and learning, this series invites ACPA members to come together to process recent legislation, digest its implications for higher education, and engage with colleagues and experts who are closely involved in the issues at hand.
11
11Aug2025 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Policy Pulse: August 2025 Learning Session
Online
The ACPA Policy Pulse is a monthly series of open conversations and webinar-style presentations focused on the latest public policy and advocacy efforts of ACPA. Designed as a space for connection and learning, this series invites ACPA members to come together to process recent legislation, digest its implications for higher education, and engage with colleagues and experts who are closely involved in the issues at hand.
Policy Alerts and public announcements
The latest statements made by ACPA as a form of advocacy for the student affairs and higher education community.
Position Statements
The ACPA Leadership Council and Public Policy & Governmental Affairs Task Force have worked together to construct position statements on areas within the political and social climate that effect higher education. These statements serve as reference materials for those interested in understanding more about where ACPA stands on certain issues and current events.
We invite you to click on the links below to learn more about ACPA’s position on each topic. ACPA will continue to review, edit, and add to this list over time. If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at info@acpa.nche.edu.
sign-ons
ACPA often joins relevant organizations in sharing support or concerns on a plethora of issues often referred to as sign-ons. Below are sign-ons ACPA has agreed to be a part of.
General
- A Call for Constructive Engagement (4/22/25)
- Input on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan (3/14/25)
- Response to the Department of Education’s February 2025 Dear Colleague Letter (2/25/25)
- ACE community letter to the U.S. Department of State and recently confirmed Secretary Rubio on the value of Higher Education (2/3/2025)
- ACE Letter to ED Regarding the Extension of FVT/GE Reporting (1/29/2025)
- How Colleges and Universities Can Help With the Federal COVID-19 Pandemic Response (1/29/2021)
- ACE Request to the Department of Labor to Withdraw the RFI on Race and Sex Stereotyping (12/1/2020)
- Executive Action Priorities for Higher Education Under the Biden Administration (11/17/2020)
Budget and Appropriations
- Letter to House Leaders in Support of Funding for Students and Institutions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill (2/25/2021)
- ACE Letter to Congress addressing the financial impact of COVID on colleges and universities (11/30/2021)
- ACE Letter to Congress on Increased COVID-19 Funding Relief for Higher Education (9/28/20)
- ACE Letter to Congress on Institutional Loans in the next COVID Supplemental bill (8/4/20)
- ACE Letter to Congress expressing appreciation for recent budget appropriations (7/9/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate on consideration of new higher education costs during future COVID-19 supplemental deliberations (7/2/20)
- ACE Letter to Federal Reserve on Nonprofit requirements for Main Street Lending Program (6/22/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate Banking Committee on nonprofit facility for Main Street Lending Program (6/4/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate re: Higher Education Eligibility for Refundable Tax Credit for Paid Sick and FMLA Leave Mandates (6/2/20)
- EDUCAUSE Letter to House and Senate on Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act (6/5/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate on state unemployment insurance (6/1/20)
- ACE letter to Federal Reserve and Treasury on nonprofit facility for Main Street Lending Program (5/22/20)
- ACE Letter to Congress on HEROES pandemic support (5/14/2020)
- ACE Letter to Congress on SBA and Mid-Sized Loan Programs (4/23/2020)
- ACE Letter to Congress regarding the need for additional pandemic recovery aid for higher education students and institutions (4/9/20)
- ACE Letter to Congress to increase tax credits related to pandemic recovery for higher education students and institutions (4/9/20)
- ACE Letter to DOE to release COVID19 emergency funds to higher education institutions (4/2/20)
- ACE Letter to Hill on COVID-19 Stimulus (4/21/20)
- Alaska State Legislators Higher Education Letter (7/5/19)
- Letter to House Leaders in Support of the FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill (6/19/19)
- Letter to House Supporting FY 2020 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill (5/8/19)
Financial Aid
- Request to Congress: Double the Pell Grant (3/25/2021)
- ACE Letter to Acting Secretary of Education on Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (1/28/2020)
- ACE Letter to Request to Extend Relief for Federal Student Loan Borrowers (11/19/20)
- ACE Letter to U.S. Congress on Student and Institutional Aid in next COVID Supplemental bill (8/5/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate requesting extension of relief for student borrowers (7/29/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate regarding CARES Act guidance and solutions (7/22/20)
- Letter to DOE drawing attention to new CARES Act regulations that exclude intended eligible students (7/2/20)
- Letter to Congress to not make CARES Act emergency student loans taxable (4/21/20)
- Letter to Congress to ensure Veterans Education Benefits extend to periods of only online instruction (3/18/2020)
- FUTURE Act to ensure a continued funding stream for Minority Serving Institutions – Letter to U.S. House of Representatives (12/10/19)
- FUTURE Act to extend funding for STEM programs at HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges and other Minority Serving Institutions – US Senate
- FUTURE Act to extend funding for STEM programs at HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges and other Minority Serving Institutions
- VSO and Ed Groups Joint Support Letter on NDAA Shalala Amendment DOD Tuition Assistance (7/25/19)
Student Issues
- ACE Letter to DHS regarding additional guidance on international students (7/21/20)
- ACE Letter to DHS requesting ICE guidance on international students is withdrawn (7/9/20)
- ACE Letter to DOE to request guidance on international student’s return to campus (7/2/20)
- ACE Letter to Senate HELP Committee on safe harbor protections for colleges who reopen related to COVID-19 (6/3/20)
- Secretariat Letter to Governors in support of Licensing Reciprocity to Facilitate Telemedicine (4/2/20)
- SAHEC Letter to Secretary of Education to Suspend Title IX Regulation Changes (3/26/20)
- Letter to Secretary of Education to Delay Title IX Regulation Change Implementation until after COVID-19 Crisis (3/24/20)
- Letter in Support of allowing counseling services to cross state lines during Coronavirus – coming from AUCCCD (3/17/20)
- Letter in Support of the College Student Hunger Act (8/1/19)
- Department of Education Letter on Title IX Regulation (1/29/19)
- Comments to the Department of Education on Proposed Rule Amending Title IX Regulations (1/30/19)
- H.R. 2006- College Equity Act of 2019 (4/1/19)
Higher Education Act
- Letter to DOE from APS to delay Title IX Regulation Changes until January 1, 2021 (7/9/20)
- Letter to Senate from SAHEC/APS to delay Title IX Regulation Changes until January 1, 2021 (6/4/2020)
- Letter to Congress on Technical and Regulatory issues Higher Education Act stimulus package conditions recommendations (4/21/20)
- Letter on the College Affordability Act related to the Higher Education Act Reauthorization (10/28/19)
- Letter on the College Affordability Act related to the Higher Education Act Reauthorization (10/28/19)
- Testimony to Senate HELP Committee on Addressing Campus Sexual Assault (4/2/19)
Immigration
- Letter to State and DHS Requesting Support for International Students in Fall 2021 (3/18/2021)
- Letter to Senate Leadership in Support of DREAM Act 2021 (2/22/2021)
- Letter to Secretary of State Blinken on Supporting International Students (1/27/2021)
- Letter to DHS on OPT Work Authorization Delays (1/26/2021)
- ACE Comments on the Trump Administration’s Interim Final Rule on H-1B Visas (11/9/2020)
- ACE Comments on Proposed Rule on International Student and Exchange Visitor Duration of Status (10/26/2020)
- Secretariat/ACE Letter to State/ DHS / Labor re Presidents immigration Exec Order (4/30/2020)
- Letter Urging Senate to Pass Dream Act (6/27/19)
- Letter to the House Supporting the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (6/3/19)
- Letter to the House of Representatives on the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (3/20/19)
Labor and Employment
Law and the Courts
RESOURCES
- Higher Education & The Trump Administration – Resources created in response to President Trump’s executive orders related to higher education compiled by the American Council on Education.
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Frequently Asked Questions About Racial Preferences and Stereotypes Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act – A follow-up FAQ document intended to answer questions following the February 14, 2025 Dear Colleague Letter.
- Protecting Higher Education – A Communications Toolkit: Speak Up for Higher Education – A website created and maintained by the National Education Association offering resources across a variety of public policy topics important to higher education.
- dotEDU Live (March 20, 2025 episode): What the Department of Education Layoffs Mean for Colleges and Universities – A podcast recording covering a range of recent U.S. federal government activities affecting higher education. Student Affairs Now (March 27, 2025 episode): Current Campus Context: Federal Student Aid, Institutional Autonomy & Associations’ Push Back – A podcast recording addressing the impacts of attempts by the Trump Administration to fundamentally change colleges and universities.
- ACE: Initial summary of Executive Orders that impact higher education
- Trackers pertaining to executive orders issued by President Trump can be found at: