April 9, 2004

CSU OFFICE OF FEDERAL RELATIONS

VOL. 2, NO. 5  

CSU leaders seek support for system priorities in Washington

Chancellor Reed led a delegation of CSU trustees, presidents, and governmental affairs experts to Washington last week to advance the system's 2004 federal project and policy priorities on Capitol Hill. The Chancellor, Board of Trustees Chair Debra Farar and others met with Reps. John Boehner (R-OH) and George Miller (D-CA), Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, as well as with numerous members of the California delegation, including Senators Boxer and Feinstein, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and delegation chairs David Dreier (Republicans) and Zoe Lofgren (Democrats).

CSU leaders urged increased funding for student financial aid programs and providing summer Pell grants to needy students, sought enhanced support for the system's extensive commitment to community service, and supported adding a graduate component to programs aimed at strengthening Hispanic Serving Institutions. They also sought federal dollars for system-wide initiatives in applied agricultural, biotech, and coastal research, among others. Meanwhile, CSU leaders were briefed on prospects for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, along with the budget and appropriations outlook for the federal fiscal year set to begin October 1st.

During the trip, Chancellor Reed addressed the California Democratic Congressional delegation at their weekly luncheon. Reed discussed the current state budget situation and responded to a wide range of inquiries from members of Congress on topics ranging from California's nursing shortage to the role of community colleges. Chancellor Reed and many other CSU representatives also attended parts of HACU's annual Capitol Hill Forum last week, which included a session on "Hispanics and the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act" that featured Office of Federal Relations Legislative Director George Conant as a panelist. In addition, the Chancellor visited with education and editorial writers at both the Chronicle of Higher Education and USA Today.

The visit concluded with a CSU-hosted reception honoring the California Congressional delegation and staff, along with local CSU alumni, for their efforts on behalf of the nation's largest system of higher education.

More information on System-wide: Priority Projects | Policy Priorities

House Hearing Questions President's FY 2005 Education Budget

On April 1, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on workforce training, during which representatives questioned Education Department officials on the President's FY 2005 education budget and a plan recently unveiled to provide $250 million in federal funds to community colleges for job training. Sally L. Stroup, assistant secretary for postsecondary education, defended the administration's lean budget request for student aid in FY 2005. Citing the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, Stroup stated the President wanted to see "how programs will change before we decided to do things on our own."

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Stroup noted that the Pell Grant program shortfall, estimated at $3.7 billion in 2004-5, created difficulties in putting together the Department's budget proposals for student aid. During the hearing, Rep. Anne Northup (R-KY) asked if the administration would explore letting students use their Pell Grant awards over 12 months instead of 9. Stroup replied, "Because of the shortfall, we would need even more money to do year-round Pell Grants" but added that the administration may consider a pilot program for extended Pell Grants.

In addition, subcommittee Chairman Ralph Regula (R-OH) and other Republicans voiced concerns that the community college plan was too costly and that the money would go to institutions focused too much on academics and not enough on job placement. The program is scheduled to run through the Labor Department and not the Education Department, which now administers many programs for two-year colleges.

President Proposes Time Limits on Pell to Fund New Math and Science Awards

On April 6, President Bush proposed a plan that would place an eight-year time limit on students with Pell Grants pursuing four-year degrees, and a four-year time limit on community-college students. The limits would free up money for a new program that would give low-income students $5,000 grants to study mathematics or science in college.

Under the new plan, about 20,000 students who are already eligible for a Pell grant would receive an additional $5,000 annually to study math or science. The current maximum Pell Grant is now worth $4,050. According to the White House, half of the $100 million needed for the new program would come from private sources, and the federal government would provide the rest.

The President's proposal to place time constraints on the Pell grant will likely be opposed by many colleges, especially at a time when institutions are raising their tuition rates in reaction to state budget cuts and have requested increases in the maximum grant. In his FY 2005 budget request, the President proposed keeping the maximum award the same.

House on Spring Recess, Senate to Follow

The U.S. House left Washington for spring recess on April 2, and will be joined by the Senate later this week. Both chambers return to business during the week of April 19.