January 16, 2025

Leading the news this week: 

The House passed H.R.28 Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which changes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 so that federal funds would be revoked from institutions of primary, secondary, and postsecondary education that allow transgender women and girls to participate in women’s sports. Currently this bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Tommy Tuberville (AL).

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) poses for a photo with former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, third from right, and other advocates after the House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act at the U.S. Capitol, on Jan. 14, 2025. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Latest News in Higher Education

Federal Court Strikes Down Title IX Rule

Last week a federal judge declared that the Biden administration's Title IX rule of the Education Amendments of 1972 was unconstitutional. This rule aimed to protect LGBTQI+ students and employees of primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions receiving federal dollars by prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This rule also included requirements for how institutions of higher education respond to and investigate complaints of sexual misconduct. Before this final ruling, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction which blocked the regulations from taking effect in at least 26 states. As a result of this ruling, colleges and universities are to operate under the 2020 Trump era Title IX rule where sexual harassment is more narrowly defined and accusations of sexual misconduct are investigated via live hearings where those accused of sexual misconduct can confront their accusers in cross-examination.

College Freshmen Enrollment is Actually Up

Contrary to their initial reporting of the Fall 2024 enrollment trends, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) issued a press release this week explaining that freshmen enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester actually saw an increase. A methodological error where freshmen were incorrectly labeled as dual-enrolled students produced this miscalculation in the freshmen numbers. The NSCRC plans to release its Current Term Enrollment Estimates report on January 23 which "encompasses nearly all institutions of higher education and uses different methodologies to determine freshman enrollees."

The Biden Administration Has Forgiven Over 5 Million Student Loan Borrowers

Through a total of 28 separate debt relief initiatives, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), borrower defense relief to those defrauded by their institutions, and relief to those with permanent disabilities, the Department of Education has forgiven the student loans of over 5 million borrowers which amounts to $183.6 billion worth of relief. While the Biden administration sought to further extend student loan forgiveness and relief, his Income Driven Repayment (IDR) initiatives, such as the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan were struck down in court.

The Community College Workforce Alliance and Illinois Central College are Recipients of DOC's Good Jobs Challenge Program Award

The Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration awarded $25 million to eight recipients of the Good Jobs Challenge Program, including the Community College Workforce Alliance and Illinois Central College. The aim of this program is to support high-quality, locally-led workforce training programs that create a pathway for workers to be placed into good-paying jobs. With this latest round of awards, the total of Good Jobs Challenge Program recipients now represent 35 states. Congratulations to the Community College Workforce Alliance and Illinois Central College.

The DOE Awards East Central Community College

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations issued a grant of over $3.9 million to the East Central Community College Solar and Lighting Upgrades project. The project aims to install 1 MW of solar photovoltaic and upgrade 25 facilities with energy efficient LED lighting at ECCC in Decatur, MS. This project plans to upgrade roughly 3,500 existing light fixtures with energy efficient LED fixtures and lamps, improving lighting and the student learning experience while decreasing the college’s annual energy costs by approximately $170,000. Congratulations to East Central Community College.

Committee Rosters

The House and Senate have released their Education and Workforce and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee rosters for the 119th Congress. Below are the members of each committee.

Senate Committee on Education and Workforce and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

House Committee on Education and the Workforce

*Denotes members in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee

**Denotes member is Chair or Ranking Member in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee

Grant Opportunities

Please review the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's Community College webpage for new grants community colleges are eligible for.

• January 15- Accurate Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Completers List due to ED
• January 16 - Ports for the Future Partnerships Grant Closing Date
• January 21 - Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program—Short-Term Projects
• January 21 11:59 PM EST - American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants
• January 22 - Addressing Systems Challenges through Engineering Teams Grant Closing Date
• January 23 2:00 PM EST - OER and AER Webinar: Lowering Textbook Costs While Preserving Quality
• February 3 - Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants Closing Date
• February 12 - Institutes for Higher Education Faculty and K-12 Educators
• February 9-12 - National Legislative Summit

Outreach Efforts

Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?

We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC. 

ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:

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