By Sara CW Sullivan, Senior Associate Registrar, Strategic Initiatives at the University of Iowa
Okay, so it wasn’t Jack and Jill, but there was a hill. And we did not really go up, but we did go over.
In July, AACRAO Hill Day advocates Ubered, Metroed, and walked to Capitol Hill to navigate a maze of House and Senate buildings and offices. They utilized the unique AACRAO platform to highlight topics including the FAFSA Impact, College Cost Reduction Act, Department of Labor Overtime Rule, Double Pell, Short-Term Pell, Reverse Transfer, and the Gainful Employment/Financial Value Transparency Implementation. The content is and was imperative; however, perhaps one of the most overlooked yet powerful outcomes of Hill Day is reinforcing and impressing upon our leaders the importance of hearing and considering the voices of higher education during the legislative process.
How it Works
Each year, AACRAO provides a unique professional development opportunity by soliciting applications for members to serve as Hill Day Advocates. Applications are analyzed, and advocates are chosen to represent the diversity of AACRAO institutional types,
geographical regions, and constituents of members sitting on relevant committees. Selected advocates complete training about understanding the legislative process, the nuances of advocacy versus lobbying, and the influence and impact of advocacy.
Virtual question and answer meetings further prepare advocates with what to pack (always comfortable shoes. Always.), how to prepare, and what to expect.
The virtual platform CongressPlus is utilized to help advocates stay organized and prepared for meetings. Each person’s meetings are outlined with pertinent details, including time, address, and the names of the congressional staff in the meeting.
Also included in the platform are guiding documents, including agendas, maps, talking points, elevator pitches, and email templates to reconnect with offices after the visit. The materials and training combine to support advocates as they prepare,
execute, and follow up with congressional offices to reinforce our stance on policy issues and keep relationships between their offices and AACRAO positive and productive.
While the approach is similar each year, the unique circumstance of time plays a huge role in the experience while in DC. This year, Prime Minister Netanyahu came to address Congress and meet with the President and Vice President. The city prepared by
increasing security, closing streets, and setting up barricades, all circumstances which complicated the navigation of the congressional campus. Advocates were not the only ones present to have their voices heard; protestors lined sidewalks and sat
in buildings to ensure they, too, were heard but in the realm of foreign policy. This added to an atmosphere already atwitter with the news of President Biden stepping to the side as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The bonus of seeing America’s
political epicenter in full force is something for which advocates can never fully prepare, but an opportunity to embrace during the short trip to the Hill.
Get Involved
For many who have served as advocates, AACRAO Hill Day is one of the most interesting, unique,
and rewarding experiences AACRAO has provided. Hill Day has been discussed at Annual Meetings and hopefully will be again so our membership can ask more detailed questions to better understand how it all works from people who have been there and done that. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact any of our 2024 Hill Day Advocates
for more information.