July 31, 2024

Leading the news this week: The Senate is set for a marathon appropriations markup tomorrow, just before Senators head into their month-long recess. However, with the Homeland Security bill excluded from consideration, they are expected to pass 11 of the 12 government funding bills—assuming they have the necessary votes. No floor votes are scheduled.

Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education!

Title IX Implementation Resources

Starting tomorrow, August 1, the final Title IX regulation will take effect in all states except Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and the schools located in this list.

To assist colleges in preparing for these changes, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released new resources:

• Title IX Regulations: Pointers for Implementation: This guide outlines key components of the 2024 Title IX regulations to help schools navigate the new requirements.
• Video on Drafting Nondiscrimination Policies, Notices of Nondiscrimination, & Grievance Procedures: This video provides guidance on creating and implementing the necessary policies and procedures required by the 2024 Title IX regulations, building on information from a previously issued resource.

Senate Appropriations Full Committee Markup

The Senate Committee on Appropriations will conduct a full committee markup on four appropriations bills for FY 2025, including the Labor-HHS-Education bill, tomorrow at 9:30 AM ET. The Committee is expected to release the bill text, committee report, and summary shortly before the markup begins.

To watch the livestream, click here.

*NEW* Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program

The Department of Commerce recently issued a notice of funding opportunity soliciting applications for the Digital Equity Competitive Grants program. The goal of the program is to fund initiatives that ensure communities have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances. This program will complement digital equity activities funded by the Capacity Grant Program. 

The deadline to submit applications is September 23. For additional application information, preparation materials, or program resources, click here. 

Funding Models for Community Colleges: How States Fund Credit-Bearing, Dual Enrollment, and Non-Credit Activity Webinar

Join ACCT for a webinar featuring research conducted by the Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab discussing an initial exploration of how states fund each of their student groups – credit-bearing, dual enrollment, and noncredit students –and the launch of a data dashboard that describes specific funding policies and funding levels for each state. To register, click here.

*Final Reminder* Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program 

ED issued a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. The Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education, or a consortia or system of such institutions, to advance systemic and sustainable solutions to student basic needs insecurity through support programs that address the basic needs of students and to report on practices that improve outcomes for students.

Additional information can be found here. The deadline to submit applications is August 5, 2024.

• August 5 - Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
• August 15 - Serving as a Bridge: Community College Skills-Based Hiring Playbook Webinar
• September 12 - CTE Research Grants
• September 23 - Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program 
• September 24 - Strengthening Community College Training Grants Round 5

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:

Have a Question?

Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges.

If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy

Spread the Word.

Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Alert network. To join, simply register here. 

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