dotEDU: Higher Education Policy Explained

In this live conversation, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the status of the Build Back Better Act—the budget reconciliation bill that enacts a large chunk of the Biden administration's domestic agenda—legislation dealing with competition with China, a House hearing on the education sector's use of COVID-19 emergency relief funds, and more as Congress pushes toward the end of the year with a lengthy to-do list.

EPISODE NOTES

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

House Moves Forward on Build Back Better Act, Passes Infrastructure Bill

First Look: Use of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) at U.S. Colleges and Universities

House Education and Labor Subcommittee Hearing: Examining the Implementation of COVID-19 Education Funds

Biden Administration Announces New Vaccine Rules for Public and Private Sectors

U.S. Higher Education Community Calls for a Return to Pre-COVID 19 International Student Enrollment Numbers

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

With negotiations taking longer than expected and details still being hammered out on the Biden administration's domestic spending plan, hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja take time to reflect on whether or not the Virginia and New Jersey governor races will be a bellwether for next year's midterm elections. They also talk about the details in the budget reconciliation bill that would enact much of the Biden administration's domestic agenda, including the impact on the maximum Pell Grant, Dreamers, and other programs. They also speak with colleague Morgan Taylor about ACE's latest Pulse Point Survey, where college presidents identified their most pressing concerns: fall operating plans, campus mitigation strategies for COVID-19, how their institution was supporting individuals affected by the crisis in Afghanistan, and their approaches to addressing student mental health.

EPISODE NOTES

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Reconciliation Framework Increases Maximum Pell Grant, Cuts Free Community College

2021 Fall Term Pulse Point Survey of College and University Presidents

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

As Congress attempts to finish the budget reconciliation bill, a number of provisions in the social spending measure are in danger of being cut. Terry Hartle and Jon Fansmith look at what we know so far, as well as the future of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the president's order mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for federal contractors. Sarah Spreitzer kicks the episode off with a chat about lifting the COVID-19 travel ban, which should ease travel to the U.S. for international students and scholars.

EPISODE NOTES

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

ACE, Higher Ed Groups Urge Flexibility for International Students as COVID-19 Travel Ban is Lifted Welcome.us What Colleges and Universities Need to Know About the Biden Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors (Issue Brief)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Not Living Up to Its Name CBS News "60 Minutes"

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

Adam Harris, author of The State Must Provide and staff writer for The Atlantic, talks to hosts Jon Fansmith and Mushtaq Gunja about the state and federal funding mechanisms that continue to support a separate and unequal system of higher education in the United States. First, Jon and Sarah Spreitzer open the show with a look at the gridlock in Congress over the budget reconciliation bill--which contains a number of provisions for college students and institutions--the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and raising the debt ceiling.

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show: The State Must Provide: Why America's Colleges and Universities Have Always Been Unequal--and How to Set Them Right HBCU Presidents Supports Improving the Current Reconciliation Bill Diverse: Issues In Higher Education | Oct. 4, 2021 Biden's Promise to HBCUs Unfulfilled by Congress Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 22, 2021 This Is the End of Affirmative Action The Atlantic | Sept. 2021 Colleges Pushed Anew for Reparations for Slavery, Racism The Associated Press | May 13, 2021

From the introduction: What Colleges and Universities Need to Know About the Biden Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors Higher Ed Associations Release Resource Kit on Aiding Afghan Students and Scholars

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

The fate of two new spending plans—the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the separate $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill designed to advance the Biden administration's other priorities, including for higher education—remains uncertain as we open the new season of dotEDU. ACE Senior Vice President Terry Hartle and dotedu host Sarah Spreitzer unpack where Congress stands on reconciliation and what it means for students and institutions, and then discuss efforts to enhance research security and the ability of the United States to compete with China, and what might be done to help Afghan students and scholars.

This season, we'll continue our conversations with leaders in the higher education policy sphere, but in a crossover with the ACE Public Policy Pop Up, every other episode will feature Terry Hartle in an in-depth discussion of recent policy developments in Washington. Watch this page for more information about the Pop Up, a free live event held monthly, or email [email protected] to be added to the mailing list to receive a link to register when its available.

House Committee Approves Substantial Increases for Higher Education Programs, Student Aid in Reconciliation Bill

Biden's Promise to HBCUs Unfulfilled by Congress Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 22, 2021 Dems Fear Biden's Domestic Agenda Could Implode Politico | Sept. 21, 2021 Tensions Spike Over New Research-Security Proposals Targeting China National Journal | Sept. 16, 2021

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Supporting Afghan Students and Scholars

More Universities, Higher Ed Groups Step Up To Help Afghan Refugees Forbes | Aug. 29, 2021

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

It's summer but the Senate refuses to leave—and the House refuses to stay home—which means hosts Sarah and Jon are back on the podcast this week for another special dotEDU brief. They discuss the Senate's $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package which includes support for expanding broadband access, before diving into the FY 2022 budget resolution and its provisions for free community college, a path to citizenship for Dreamers, and more for higher ed. They also give a primer on the budget reconciliation process and what role it will play when Congress returns this fall to turn the resolution into specific legislation.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

The hosts give a brief preview of the rest of the summer session in Congress and their hopes for a smooth August break, and listeners will learn more about how they can take action through the #DoublePell campaign website (www.doublepell.org). Stay tuned for the final episode of this season on how the new NCAA policy on name, image and likeness will effect smaller colleges and universities and sports other than football and basketball.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

The hosts dive into the complicated issues facing international students who are hoping to return to campus this fall and why many may not be able to return at all. Our guest, David Winston of the Winston Group, lays out the data around public attitudes toward international students and how leaders can make the case for the positive contributions they make to the U.S. economy and on our campuses.

EPISODE NOTES

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

From Introduction:

The Minds We Need

National Science Foundation for the Future Act

Statement by President Joe Biden on House Passage of the National Science Foundation for the Future Act and the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act

From Conversation with David Winston:

Public Generally Supports International Students Despite Security and Competition Concerns, ACE Survey Finds ACE

International Student Inclusion and Success: Public Attitudes, Policy Imperatives, and Practical Strategies ACE

American Attitudes Toward International Students Are Warm but Wary The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | May 14, 2021

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Sarah Spreitzer is a director of government relations at ACE. She represents ACE and its members on matters related to research policy and funding, federal policy, international students, immigration, and legislative issues.

Since spring 2020, ACE has surveyed higher education leaders across the country about their experiences and most pressing concerns dealing with COVID-19 on campus. David Richardson, managing director of research for the TIAA Institute, and ACE's Jon Turk review the year's results and what they tell us about how to move forward in 2021 and beyond.

EPISODE NOTES

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Leaders Respond: COVID-19 on Campus Murray, Hirono, Pocan, Scott Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable The Digital Divide Among College Students: Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Emergency Transition Midwestern Higher Education Compact Supporting Mental Well-Being for Students of Color Inside Higher Ed (June 17, 2021) dotEDU Episode 33: Mental Health on Campus as 2020 Winds Down

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.

Hosts Jon Fansmith and Mushtaq Gunja talk with Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), chief author of H.R. 1, the comprehensive election reform bill that could have an impact on how colleges register voters. They also discuss the past, present, and future of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program as Sarbanes moves to strengthen the program under the Biden administration.

EPISODE NOTES

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

From Introduction:

Senate punts on China bill amid GOP objections

White House Releases Budget With Increased Funding for NIH, NSF

Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education Announces Public Hearings on Protections for Students, Loan Repayment, Targeted Loan Cancellation Programs, and Other Higher Education Regulations U.S. Department of Education

From Conversation with Rep. Sarbanes:

John Sarbanes Biography

H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021

Here's What H.R. 1, the House-Passed Voting Rights Bill, Would Do The Washington Post (sub. req.) | May 11, 2021

Biden Administration Will Review Income Based Repayment, Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Forbes | May 24, 2021

Charles Testifies Before House Committee on Voting Rights Legislation

ABOUT THE SHOW

Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email [email protected].

HOSTS

Jon Fansmith is a director of government relations at ACE. He represents ACE and its members on matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, with a particular focus on student aid.

Mushtaq Gunja serves as vice president and chief of staff at ACE, where he is in charge of strategic initiatives, communications, and membership.