Transcript Document

ILASFAA:
2014
Grassroots Advocacy
Building Relationships and Advocating for
Students at the Local Level
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Agenda
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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
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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?
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“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.”
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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
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Your unique voice and expertise can lend essential
knowledge to your representatives
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Your voice helps representatives understand how
legislation actually plays out on the campus level
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Advocacy vs. Lobbying
Lobbying refers specifically to advocacy efforts
that attempt to influence legislation
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Each state has laws that dictate what is
considered lobbying:
http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=465&Chapt
erID=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
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“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
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State Senators and Representatives:
http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/Distr
ictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx
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State Officials on Committees
Higher Education Committee
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Appropriations – Higher Education
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http://www.ilga.gov/default.asp
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How Do I Make Contact
One-on-One Communication
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Emails and fax are often preferred method of
communication; however, formal letters are
also appropriate if the issue is not time
sensitive
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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 Contact
Tips for One-on-One Communication
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Identify who you represent (yourself, your
institution, etc.)
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Do your research in advance and know the
facts
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State the reason you are contacting your
representative and stick to that ONE issue
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Include brief but powerful anecdotes, when
possible as these can be particularly effective
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How Do I Make Contact?
Hill Days
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Join ILASFAA for a visit to Springfield
on ________stay tuned
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How Do I Make Contact?
Local Activities
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Engage elected officials as guest speakers on
campus (Constitution Day idea for next year!)
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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
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Assist with town hall meetings and community
events
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Check elected/appointed officials’ websites
and other media for events
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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
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Know where you stand in terms of negotiation
and compromise
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Be prepared for counter-arguments
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Research opposition to your positions and
your elected officials’ position on the issue
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Current Issues and
Influencers
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State Appropriations
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Regulatory issues (repeated coursework, study
abroad credits, etc.) - not legislative
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MAP Task Force Resolutions for 2015-16
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MAP Matters http://www.isac.org/home/mapmatters/support.html
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Current Issues and
Influencers
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Performance based funding
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Possibly making MAP retention a merit-based
benefit
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Limiting MAP eligibility
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Despite increased funding towards higher
education, most of the funds are going
towards the pension system
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Current Issues and
Influencers
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IBHE is forming an "Education Caucus"; these
will be the "go-to" members for Education
Issues in the General Assembly
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Illinois DREAM Fund
http://www.illinoisdreamfund.org/faqs.html
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Illinois Veteran Grant – no appropriations for
this year
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Current Issues and
Influencers
MAP Pilot for dislocated workers
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SB 3306 - signed into law (now PA 98-0967)
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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
Influencers
Student Loan Debt Relief Scams
http://www.isac.org/students/aftercollege/repaying-your-student-loans/
PA 93-0007 - passed May 20, 2003
(Undocumented Student In-State Tuition)
http://www.chooseyourfuture.org/college/undocum
ented-students
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Current Issues and
Influencers
What other issues are important to your
students? _________________________________
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Long Term Goals
Long term goals of local advocacy
should include
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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
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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
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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
[email protected]
Mark Szymanoski
Manager, Regulatory Affairs, DeVry Education Group
[email protected]
Brooke Kile
Director of Compliance, Policy & Improvement,
Columbia College Chicago
[email protected]