Advocacy and Public Policy

AICCU articulates the principles and priorities of the independent California colleges and universities sector in relation to the higher education system in California. AICCU monitors and advocates on public policy issues, legislation, and state budget matters impacting the private nonprofit higher education community.  Positions on policy issues, budget, and specific legislation are reported in the AICCU Week in Review. AICCU also has its annual Policy and Advocacy Agenda reviewed and approved by membership at the October Annual Meeting.

Grassroots efforts are an important component of policy advocacy and education. Effectively interacting with legislators through consistent engagements, campus visits, phone calls, and meetings with students can educate lawmakers about the effects of legislation on a campus and independent higher education across the state.

Key California Legislative Committees monitored by AICCU include:

• Assembly Appropriations Committee

• Assembly Committee on Business and Professions

• Assembly Committee on Higher Education

• Assembly Committee on Education

• Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance

• Assembly Committee on Health

• Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment

• Senate Appropriations Committee

• Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance

• Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee

• Senate Education Committee

• Senate Health Committee

• Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee

AICCU Advocacy Letters

November 2017

• Senator Kamala Harris – Effects of Tax Reform Legislation on California Higher Education

• Senator Dianne Feinstein – Effects of Tax Reform Legislation on California Higher Education

• Congressional Delegation – Effects of Tax Reform Legislation on California Higher Education

June 2017

• Speaker Anthony Rendon – Conference Committee: 6980 California Student Aid Commission; Issue 44: Cal Grants for Student Attending Private Non-Profit andFor-Profit Institutions 

• Assembly Member Jose Medina – SB 577 (Dodd): CCC Teacher Credentialing Program – Position: Oppose

• Assembly Member Jose Medina – SB 769 (Hill): CCC Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program – Position: Oppose

• Senator Jerry Hill – AB 1435 (Gonzalez Fletcher): College Athlete Protection Commission – Position: Oppose

May 2017

• Senator Holly Mitchell – California Student Aid Commission – 6980; Issue 44: Cal Grants for Students Attending Private Non-Profit and For-Profit Institutions

• Assembly Member Phil Ting – California Student Aid Commission – 6980; Issue 44: Cal Grants for Students Attending Private Non-Profit and For-Profit Institutions

• Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon – AICCU information regarding May Revision proposal to repeal the 11.3% cut to Cal Grant award for students at nonprofit colleges and universities

April 2017

• Assembly Member Jose Medina – AB 1166 (Burke): The College Opportunity Act Request for Support

• Assembly Member Evan Low – AB 1510 (Dababneh): Athletic Trainers Request for Support

• Assembly Member Kansen Chu – AB 1510 (Dababneh): Athletic Trainers Request for Support

• Assembly Member Kansen Chu – AB 1435 (Gonzalez Fletcher): The Protection Act Position: Oppose, as introduced February 17, 2017

• Assembly Member Jose Medina – Assembly Higher Education Committee: AB 888 (Low): Oppose

• Assembly Woman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher – AB 387 (Thurmond): Minimum Wage: Health Professionals: Inters Request for Opposition, as Introduced February 9, 2017

February 2017

• Senator Dianne Feinstein – HR 58: Teacher Preparation Regulations

• Senator Kamala Harris – HR 58: Teacher Preparation Regulations

• Representative Virginia Fox – HR 58: Teacher Preparation Regulations

• Representative Bobby Scott – HR 58: Teacher Preparation Regulations

• Senator Anothony Portantino – Senate Budget Subcomittee No. 1 on Education Finance: Reject the Proposed 11.3% Cut to the Cal Grant

• Assembly Member Kevin McCarty – Assembly Sub Committee No.2 on Education Finance: Reject the Proposed 11.3% Cut to the Cal Grant