ilasfaa: 2014 grassroots advocacy building relationships and advocating for students at the local...
TRANSCRIPT
ILASFAA:
2014
Grassroots AdvocacyBuilding Relationships and Advocating for
Students at the Local Level
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Agenda
• Why bother?• Who to approach• How to make contact• Do your homework• The issues and the
influencers• Long term goals• Assignment
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Why Should I Bother?Building relationships at the local level is a form of grassroots advocacy for your students and your institution
• Help policymakers understand the challenges your students and your institutions face
Building relationships at the local level helps educate those who make decisions about financial aid and higher education
They need to get their information from somewhere; it could be you!
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Why Should I Bother?
• “Legislators enjoy and appreciate hearing from their constituents, especially regarding important topics like higher education…it’s important to remember that they value you as a resource and point of reference.”• It is better to cultivate
relationships before they are needed
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Advocacy vs. Lobbying
When you advocate, you seek to affect some aspect of society through appealing to individuals about their behavior or the government about its laws
• Your unique voice and expertise can lend essential knowledge to your representatives
• Your voice helps representatives understand how legislation actually plays out on the campus level
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Advocacy vs. LobbyingLobbying refers specifically to advocacy efforts that attempt to influence legislation• Each state has laws that dictate what is
considered lobbying: http://
ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=465&ChapterID=6
“(e) "Lobby" and "lobbying" means any
communication with an official of the executive or
legislative branch of State government as defined in
subsection (c) for the ultimate purpose of influencing any
executive, legislative, or administrative action.”
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Who Do I Approach?On Your Campus
First, research your institution’s policies on engaging elected officials on behalf of the institution
Second, identify if your institution has an advocacy office or government relations representatives (Start with General Counsel’s
office)
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Who Do I Approach?On Your Campus
Third, identify others on your campus who may have an interest in getting involved in local advocacy
• Student Affairs• Student Government
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Who Do I Approach?Outside Your Campus
Identify the elected officials who represent your institution and any branch campuses
• “Elected officials” include the members that represent you, your campus, your students, alumni, etc.; House/Senate leadership; jurisdictional committees; appropriators; regulators; etc.
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Who Do I Approach?Outside Your Campus
• State Senators and Representatives: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx
• State Officials on Committees• Higher Education Committee
• Appropriations – Higher Education• http://www.ilga.gov/default.asp
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How Do I Make ContactOne-on-One Communication
• Emails and fax are often preferred method of communication; however, formal letters are also appropriate if the issue is not time sensitive
• Phone calls will likely require setting up an appointment or speaking with a staff members who will relay your comments to your official
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How Do I Make ContactTips for One-on-One Communication
• Identify who you represent (yourself, your institution, etc.)
• Do your research in advance and know the facts
• State the reason you are contacting your representative and stick to that ONE issue
• Include brief but powerful anecdotes, when possible as these can be particularly effective
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How Do I Make Contact?
Hill Days• Join ILASFAA for a visit to Springfield
on ________stay tuned
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How Do I Make Contact?
Local Activities• Engage elected officials as guest speakers on
campus (Constitution Day idea for next year!)
• Host financial aid seminars for the local community and invite your local and/or state representatives
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How Do I Make Contact?
Local Activities• Assist with town hall meetings and
community events• Check elected/appointed officials’ websites
and other media for events• Find other networking events that bring local
leaders to your campus for meetings, partnership events, etc.
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Do Your Homework
Understand both sides of the issue and know the facts
• Know where you stand in terms of negotiation and compromise
• Be prepared for counter-arguments• Research opposition to your positions and
your elected officials’ position on the issue
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Current Issues and Influencers
• State Appropriations• Regulatory issues (repeated coursework,
study abroad credits, etc.) - not legislative• MAP Task Force Resolutions for 2015-16• MAP Matters
http://www.isac.org/home/map-matters/support.html
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Current Issues and Influencers
• Performance based funding• Possibly making MAP retention a merit-based
benefit• Limiting MAP eligibility• Despite increased funding towards higher
education, most of the funds are going towards the pension system
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Current Issues and Influencers
• IBHE is forming an "Education Caucus"; these will be the "go-to" members for Education Issues in the General Assembly
• Illinois DREAM Fund http://www.illinoisdreamfund.org/faqs.html
• Illinois Veteran Grant – no appropriations for this year
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Current Issues and InfluencersMAP Pilot for dislocated workers
• SB 3306 - signed into law (now PA 98-0967)
• In effect for the 15/16 and 16/17 school years.
Requires ISAC to consider needs of dislocated
workers after initial award period. Goal is to help
dislocated workers access MAP if they apply late.
ISAC will estimate amount of funding needed and set
funds aside. ISAC will be reaching out to ILAFSAA for
input on the rules drafted for public input by Spring
2015.
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Current Issues and InfluencersStudent Loan Debt Relief Scams http://www.isac.org/students/after-college/repaying-your-student-loans/
PA 93-0007 - passed May 20, 2003 (Undocumented Student In-State Tuition) http://www.chooseyourfuture.org/college/undocumented-students
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Current Issues and InfluencersWhat other issues are important to your students? _________________________________
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Long Term Goals
Long term goals of local advocacy should include
• To be an educator and a resource on the issues that most affect your students and your institution
• To be an advocate for your students and your institution
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Long Term Goals
Long term goals of local advocacy should include
• To help involve students and your campus, when appropriate, to engage in grassroots advocacy efforts
• To engage your local representatives with your campus and your students; putting a face with the issues
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Assignment• Make contact!• Sign up for Hill Days!• Leave your email to receive
legislator list and hill day packet• ILASFAA Chat:
Blog Publication for ILASFAA
http://ilasfaa.org/b/
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Questions…
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Thank You
Rebecca Novak
Manager, Government Relations, DeVry Education Group
Mark Szymanoski
Manager, Regulatory Affairs, DeVry Education Group
Brooke Kile
Director of Compliance, Policy & Improvement, Columbia College Chicago