AIHEC Holds Virtual Legislative Summit

TCU leaders take a moment to send their regards to supporters during AIHEC’s virtual legislative summit.

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is holding its annual winter meeting and legislative summit completely online this year, due to challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Tribal college leaders convened February 23-25 for a series of webinars and informational sessions to prepare for their respective states’ delegation meetings, which are being held March 1-12.

            On the first day of the legislative summit, Terry Hartle, senior vice-president for government relations and public affairs at the American Council of Education addressed participants. Her presentation was followed by an informational session headed by Michelle Asha Cooper, the acting assistant secretary for post-secondary education and the deputy assistant directory of higher education programs at the U.S. Department of Education.

            On February 24, TCU leaders heard from Ann Marie Bledsoe Downs, the deputy solicitor for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Bledsoe Downs, who is especially familiar with TCUs, serving as president of Little Priest Tribal College for several years, outlined federal trust responsibilities, treaty obligations, and TCUs in the Biden Administration.

            The final day of the winter meeting was spent discussing AIHEC’s priorities for the 117^th Congress. At the top of the list are TCUs COVID rescue and recovery needs. AIHEC is stressing the need for a TCU IT Fund in the USDA Utility Service, including reserve funds for greater broadband. Another great need is funding for TCU construction and facilities, as well as operating and maintenance.

            AIHEC continues to advocate for equitable funding for tribal colleges and universities, including operating funding and equity in Land Grant funding. TCU leaders are asking that Congress develop a reliable and equitable operating funding formula based on need and to support TCUs’ federal funding requests. Another equity imperative is a TCU executive order, permanently authorized by Congress, that would give TCUs footing similar to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

            With the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, AIHEC is asking Congress to support the TCU TEAMS Act, a Native language vitalization and training program, and graduate opportunities for TCUs. AIHEC has also outlined important updates to the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Act, which was initially passed in 1978.

            From March 1-12, AIHEC’s top priorities are being presented and discussed in scores of Zoom meetings and conference calls with members of Congress and their staffers. For more information on AIHEC and its priorities, visit www.aihec.org