Grassroots Advocacy

1. Grassroots Advocacy Building Relationships and Advocating for Students at the Local Level

2. Agenda Why bother? Who to approach How to make contact Do your homework The issues and the influencers Long term goals Assignment

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. Advocacy vs. Lobbying Lobbying 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.”

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. How Do I Make Contact One-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

12. How Do I Make Contact Tips 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

13. How Do I Make Contact? Hill Days • Join ILASFAA for a visit to Springfield on ________stay tuned

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Current Issues and Influencers MAP 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.

21. Current Issues and Influencers Student 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

22. Current Issues and Influencers What other issues are important to your students? _________________________________

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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/

26. Questions…

27. Thank You Rebecca Novak Manager, Government Relations, DeVry Education Group rnovak@devrygroup.com Mark Szymanoski Manager, Regulatory Affairs, DeVry Education Group mszymanoski@devrygroup.com Brooke Kile Director of Compliance, Policy & Improvement, Columbia College Chicago bkile@colum.edu