University Business December 2006 - (Page 33)

ON THE HILL New Congress, New Focus Spellings and higher ed association leaders list their priorities. By Alan Dessoff A NEXT STEPS LL EYES IN WASHINGTON'S The six major associations representing postsecondary community are on presidents and chancellors outlined their the future, which begins in Janu- next steps on issues related to undergradu- ar y with the start of the newly elected ate education in a letter sent to IHEs. En- 110th Congress and the final two years titled Addressing the Challenges Facing of the Bush administration. American Undergraduate Education, it With Democrats gaining control of dovetails with President Bush's American the House and the Senate, the higher ed Competitiveness Initiative and congres- agenda will likely be impacted. The shift sional efforts to reauthorize the Higher of control will bring changes in the lineup Education Act, as well as reform work and leadership of its key education and undertaken by the Advisory Committee appropriations committees. on Student Financial Assistance, The Na- Before the elections, U.S. Education The link made between tional Academies, and Spellings' Commis- Secretary Margaret Spellings and six major higher ed and the nation's sion on the Future of Higher Education. Washington-based higher ed association global competitiveness Endorsing the letter were the presi- leaders laid out their priorities for action, dents of the American Association of or at least discussion, in the new year. has set up an opportune Community Colleges AACC , American Spellings' action plan is based on the time to step forward. Association of State Colleges and Univer- recommendations by her bipartisan Com- sities AASCU , American Council on mission on the Future of Higher Educa- Education ACE , Association of Ameri- tem would be similar to what currently tion. Her proposals include simplifying can Universities AAU , National Associa- exists for K-12 students. With the infor- the process for financial aid; creating a pri- tion of Independent Colleges and Univer- mation the system provides, the education vacy-protected student-level data system sities NAICU , and National Association department's existing college search web- to provide transparency and ease when of State Universities and Land-Grant Col- site could be redesigned and made more students and families shop for colleges; leges NASULGC . useful to answer such basic questions as and providing matching funds to institu- The letter notes that serious challenges how much a school is really going to cost tions and states that collect and publicly face American higher education and the and how long it will take to get a degree. report student learning outcomes. nation's continued economic competitive- Spellings notes that the number of Spellings says the U.S. Department of ness and security. They include expanding nontraditional students has increased in Education will work to simplify the federal college access to low-income and minority recent years as more Americans of all ages student aid process by cutting the applica- students; keeping college affordable; im- seek additional degrees in midcareer or at- tion time in half and notifying students of proving learning through new knowledge tend college for the first time. She says her their aid eligibility earlier than spring of and instructional techniques; preparing plan would facilitate their access to infor- their senior year to facilitate planning by secondary students for higher ed; increas- mation on colleges, financial aid, and af- the families. She also intends to streamline ing accountability for educational out- fordability. Providing matching funds to the process by partnering with states to comes; internationalizing the student IHEs and states that collect and publicly use existing income and tax data to help report student learning outcomes would students complete the Free Application increase transparency and accountability, for Federal Student Aid FAFSA . Alan Dessoff, a former reporter for The Washing- Spellings adds. The proposed student-level data sys- ton Post, is a Bethesda, Md.-based freelance writer. universitybusiness.com December 2006 | 33 OTH.indd 33 11/17/06 3:44:57 PM http://universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business December 2006

Table of Contents
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Editor's Note
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Future Shock
Admissions
Financial Aid
On the Hill
EDUCAUSE 2006 Highlights
Technology Spending Survey '07
101 Smart Revenue Generators (and Money-Saving Ideas)
Parking: A Lot To Look At
Engaging Alumni Online
One River, Not Two Streams
Internet Technology
What's New
Calendar of Events
Direct Connect
End Note

University Business December 2006