PRE-CONFERENCE WEBINARMarch 24, 2020

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Government Relations Team

Josue Damian-MartinezGovernment Relations Coordinator

Josue.martinez@hacu.net

Alicia DiazInterim Chief Advocacy Officer

alicia.diaz@hacu.net

John AguilarExecutive Director of Legislative Affairs

john.aguilar@hacu.net

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Erica RomeroAssistant Vice President for State Advocacy

erica.romero@hacu.net

Webinar: Q&A Process

• To ask questions expand the “chat” window of the Go To Webinar control panel

• Type your question into the chat or question box

• We will respond to questions throughout the webinar & at the end

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Agenda

• Virtual Capitol Forum & Mobile App

• HACU Advocates’ Resource Guide

• What to Expect for Your Virtual Congressional Meetings

• What to Do After Your Virtual Visits

• HACU’s Legislative Priorities

• Questions for Virtual Congressional Meetings

• Save the Date for HACU’s 34th Annual Conference

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Virtual Capitol Forum

• For the safety of everyone, HACU decided to host this year’s Forum as a virtual event

• All sessions will take place as scheduled, except the pre-conference sessions.– Pre-Conference Funding

Sessions are scheduled for Monday, April 20th

• Latest agenda & info available at HACU.net

How to Download CF Mobile App

1) Search “HACU Advocacy” app and install from the Apple/Google Store• There is a delay in the mobile

app being published in the Google store. GR team will notify you once it is available.

2) Create a profile using the same email address you used to register for the Capitol Forum

CF Mobile App Features

Access full agenda –including your virtual congressional visits

View speaker bios

Read-up on key legislative issues & Advocates Resource Guide

Mobile app will be used for advocacy purposes after the Forum – so be sure to keep it on your phone to get the latest updates on HSIs

Things to keep in mind for Hill meetings

• Be respectful

• Hill meetings are about policy debates, so avoid political debates

• When necessary agree to disagree

• Remember you are not only representing your institution but HACU & its members

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Student Advocacy 101 SessionTuesday, April 21 from 5:15-6:15 PM EDT

• This dynamic session is designed for students and others who want to learn about how to become an effective advocate.

• Participants will receive an overview, set of expectations, and tips/protocols for successful advocacy visits on Capitol Hill.

• No prior experience is necessary.

Items HACU will provide

1. Your virtual congressional meetings via mobile app/website link

2. Advocates Resource Guide via mobile app/website link

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What to expect during your virtual legislative meeting

• It’s ok to be nervous – after this webinar you’ll have a list of questions to ask and can even write yourself a script if necessary

• Designate a spokesperson to get the most out of your meeting & a note taker

• Once the meeting starts, introduce everyone & mention you are with HACU On a call it may be more practical for each person to make self introductions.

• Thank the Member of Congress/staff for their time

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After your Congressional Meetings

• Complete the feedback form on the conference app or share your feedback with Erica Romero by email or phone▪ erica.romero@hacu.net▪ 916-442-0392

• Just because the meetings are over does not mean the relationship is over. Send a follow-up email within a week of your meeting

• We encourage you to visit or call your federal representatives in their district office

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HACU’s Legislative Priorities

1) HSI Data

2) The HERE Act

3) Title III, Part F (HSI STEM Program)

4) Congressional HSI Caucus

5) NSF HSI Program

6) USDA Funding for HSIs

7) DACA/DREAMers

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HSI Data

• There are now:o 550 HSIs (Preliminary data for

2018-19 Academic Year) o 328 Emerging HSIs (2017-18 data)

• Since 2009, HSIs have increased on average 30 institutions per year.

• The student undergraduate population at HSIs are diverse and represent: o 66% Hispanic o 40% Asian American o 29% Native Hawaiian/Pacific

Islandero 22% African Americano 20% Native American

HEA Reauthorization• Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the

Senate HELP Committee, confirmed in Feb. 2019 that he hopes to get the HEA reauthorized this Congress. Ranking Member Patty Murray is committed to a comprehensive HEA bill.

• The Senate HELP Committee is expected to drive the overall process.

• Rep. Bobby Scott, Chairman of the House Education & Labor Committee, introduced his comprehensive HEA bill – The College Affordability Act (H.R. 4674).

• HACU is working with committee staff 15

• Congressman Castro introduced the HERE Act in July 2019.

• It proposes a new grant program funded at $150 million (creating a new section under Title V of HEA) to support partnerships and collaboration between HSIs and school districts that educate the majority of Hispanic students is sorely needed.

• Historically, PK-12, and higher ed have been separate systems, with different principles of organization, sources of funding, governing bodies and laws.

• Congress needs to begin to take action to support enhanced collaboration between these levels and assure a more seamless educational pipeline.

FUTURE Act (H.R. 5363)HSI STEM & Articulation Program (Title III, Part F)

• The authority for Title III, Part F expired on September 30, 2019, however it was permanently extended on December 10, 2019 when Congress passed the FUTURE Act.– The bill was signed into law on Dec. 17, 2019

• Final passage of the FUTURE Act coincided with a Call-to-Action Day, organized collaboratively by HACU and its sister organizations representing HBCUs, TCUs and other MSIs: UNCF, TMCF, AIHEC, NAFEO, and OCA.

• This is a historic win for HSIs, since the bill permanently extends the critical STEM funding ($100 million annually) for all HSIs.

• Thank you to everyone for their collective advocacy efforts – truly a team effort!

• HACU re-established the HSI Caucus, currently over 30 members & 4 co-chairs.

• Allows HACU to educate Members & their staff about the value & impact of HSIs.

• Identifies the Members of Congress supportive of HSIs in a formal way.

• Promotes a long-term working relationship & opportunity for collaboration on legislation.

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National Science Foundation HSI Program

• NSF created an HSI program in FY2017 after Congress inserted legislative language in the omnibus spending bill.

• The HSI program for FY 2020 is funded at $45 million.

• Investing in HSIs benefits all students & will help strengthen the future STEM workforce to meet the demands of the global market.

• We are asking Congress to fund the NSF HSI program at $55 million for FY 2021.

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NSF HSI Program Coordinator Vacancy:https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/563418500

USDA Funding for HSIs

• Many HSIs are prepared to meet the need for Hispanic agricultural scientists: there are 140 HSIs that award at least 15% of their degrees in agriculture-related fields.o These institutions are called Hispanic Serving

Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs). o Hispanics make up 29% of those working in the

agriculture industry, but only 8 % of agriculture majors in institutions of higher education

• We asking Congress to appropriate for Fiscal Year 2021:o $25 million for the HSI Education Grants

Program at NIFAo $20 million for HSACU Equity Grantso $10 million for HSACU Capacity Building Grantso $10 million for HSACU Basic and Applied

Research Grants

DACA/DREAMers

• The Administration announced it would terminate the DACA program on March 5, 2018.

• Several injunctions from federal judges prevented the DACA program from being terminated.

• DACA recipients and DREAMers are still left without a permanent solution despite pressure from various groups.

• Still awaiting Supreme Court Decision – Summer 2020.

• Encourage Congress, specifically the Senate, to pass the Dream & Promise Act (H.R. 6) and thank the office if they are supporters.

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FY2020 Federal Budget – Impact on HSIs

• The complete FY 2020 budget was finalized in December 2019. HSI programs were appropriated the following:

o Dept. of Ed, Title V, Part A (undergraduate): $143 million

o Dept. of Ed, Title V, Part B (graduate): $12.8 million

o NSF’s HSI Program: $45 million

o USDA-NIFA HSI Education Grants: $11.2 million

FY 2021 Federal Budget• Despite HSIs growth every

year, federal funding has not yet kept pace with the increases.

• The President released his FY 2021 budget:o As expected, it was not well

received by Congress (dead on arrival)

o The proposed budget consolidates most institutional development grant programs in all HEA Title V grant programs into a single formula-based allocation, which of course would translate into less funding for HSIs

o This is very similar to last year’s budget, and HACU strongly opposes

• FY 2021 budget process in Congress has begun.

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Coronavirus Stimulus Funding for HSIs, HBCUs, TCUs & other MSIs

• HACU is working with its sister associations to advocate for additional MSI funding in the coronavirus stimulus packages being considered in Congress

• Joint MSI letter sent to Congress on March 18

• We need your voice! Complete the call to action on the Advocacy Center.

Questions for Virtual Congressional Meetings

1) Will you support and co-sponsor the HERE Act of 2019?

2) Do you support increased appropriations funding for HSIs in FY 2021?

HACU is requesting increases in the appropriations for:• HEA, Title V-Part A: $170 million• HEA, Title V-Part B: $35 million• NSF HSI Program: $55 million• USDA-NIFA HSI Education Grants Program: $25 million

3) Will you join the Congressional HSI Caucus in the House of Representatives?

HACU’s “Wall of Pride”

• If your school is not on our Wall of Pride, we encourage you to send us your school pennant or bring it to the Capitol Forum.

• Once we receive your pennant, we’ll post a photo on social media and tag your school.

• Our goal is to have all HSIs and HACU members represented on the wall.

26HACUadvocates.net/wallofpride

Want to share this webinar with other colleagues attending the Capitol Forum?

Visit: HACUadvocates.net/webinars

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Questions?

Didn’t remember your question?Email us at DCGR@hacu.net