Policy & Advocacy
AASCU delivers America’s promise through its public policy advocacy.
We amplify members’ voices, offering legislators and advocates guidance that promotes higher education and empowers state colleges and universities to transform their communities.
Contact us.
We inform policymakers to strengthen state colleges and universities.
Policy Agenda
We help key stakeholders formulate effective public policy and define legislative priorities advancing public higher education.
Learn more.Policy Resources
Our resources provide institutions and policymakers with timely insights that inform the development of effective higher education policies.
View resources.AASCU Advocacy Center
We facilitate the coordinated, tactical advocacy of state colleges and universities through impactful campaigns, federal updates, and lawmaker outreach.
Act now.AASCU members are shaping the nation.
Our institutions are stewards of place, creating and sustaining thriving communities as engines of upward social mobility in cities, suburbs, towns, and remote rural areas throughout the United States.
520
out of the 605 public four-year institutions in the United States are regional public universities.
4.9 million
undergraduate students are enrolled at regional public universities, or 70% of the nation’s 7 million undergraduate students at public four-year institutions.
66%
of public, four-year bachelor’s degrees are awarded by regional public universities.
99
members of congress attended a regional public university and represent one or more in their state or congressional district (21 Senators, 78 members of the US House of Representatives).
Elevate our Public Policy Agenda.
Our annual Public Policy Agenda promotes the collective priorities of our members before Congress and the administration, focusing on the following three pillars and their policy actions:
- Advance state and federal partnerships
- Double the maximum Pell Grant awards
- Strengthen educator preparation programs
- Infrastructure investments
- Responsible regulatory relief
- Campus Safety
- Protection and Promotion of Free Speech
- Promoting Civic Engagement, Campus Diversity
- Improve Educational Opportunities for Veterans and Service Members
- Support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and “Dreamers”
- Promote International Education, Support Foster Care Youth Students
- Institutional Autonomy of Public Institutions
- Accreditation and Quality Assurance
- Strengthen Educator Preparation
- Competitiveness
- Promote Innovation in Higher Education
Testimonials
“At UNI, we are both serious and intentional when it comes to federal advocacy. We nurture relationships with our Congressional delegation, and actively engage with Congress on policies and programs impacting not only our campus, but also higher education. Meeting AASCU colleagues who are also passionate and intentional in their advocacy efforts was most inspiring. The event had a great balance of networking, collaboration, and advocacy. Hot off the press updates from the speakers, thoughtful analysis of current events, and reflections on the impacts of upcoming legislation further reinforced the importance of this work.”
“AASCU on the Hill is an opportunity to engage with government relations colleagues to dialogue and strategize around key federal policies and issues that affect regional comprehensive universities, and the higher education community-at-large. I participate in AASCU on the Hill because it is important to stay abreast of the numerous policies affecting our campuses, as well as glean tips and best practices for engaging with elected officials and federal agencies. Each time I participate in AASCU on the Hill, I am reminded that it is a privileged responsibility to advocate on behalf of North Carolina A&T State University and fellow institutions of higher learning.”
AASCU members are transforming student lives. Our advocacy amplifies their work.
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Latest News & Resources
Subscribe to our Weekly Federal Policy newsletter to stay informed.
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Connect With Our Government Relations Network
AASCU’s Government Relations team wants to hear from your government relations (GR) offices on key federal issues. Through our GR Network, AASCU will exchange the most relevant policy-related information, collect feedback on congressional proposals and administrative regulations, and request input from subject matter experts regarding key issues in higher education.
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