SACRAO Spring 2023 Newsletter

SPRING 2023 NEWSLETTER

Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

President's Update

A time for growth and rejuvenation is upon us now that spring is upon us! Spring is the one time of year where both our registrar colleagues and admissions colleagues have major events taking place at the same time. As we approach the national May 1st commitment deadline and the upcoming commencement season, I wish you all nothing but the best in the weeks ahead! This is such a unique time of year for our profession. Where we begin to welcome our future students as they make their commitments, while we celebrate the achievements of those that committed to our institution several years before.

My hope for us all, is that we are able to take some time this spring to reflect on the prior months that have flown by way too fast. It is hard to believe that we are more than two months removed from the 76th Annual Meeting in Concord, NC I want to take a moment to thank everyone that was able to join us in the Carolinas! The Local Arrangements Committee members, the corporate partners and sponsors, the keynote speakers, session presenters, and everyone else that helped to put on a great event I want to thank the Program Committees and their respective committees that helped to provide 100 sessions For those that took the time to share their expertise as one of the session presenters, moderators, or coordinators, I would like to thank you for your willingness to give back to both SACRAO and our members Your contributions to the Annual Meeting are part of what make SACRAO such an amazing organization to be a part of.

Recently, AACRAO held their Annual Meeting in Aurora, CO. It was great seeing so many members of SACRAO throughout the conference and at the SACRAO @ AACRAO event! I want to express a sincere thank you to David Haynes and International Education Evaluators (IEE) for sponsoring this year ' s event! We had a tremendous turnout at the event

WHAT'S INSIDE THIS ISSUE: TO UPDATE

President's Update

President-Elect Report

Federal Advocacy Committee Update Membership Report

CACRAO

TACRAO

TNCRAO

FACRAO

2023 Annual Meeting Scholarship

Recipient Feedback

and the food and staff at the Mountain Pass Upper Level Sports Bar were phenomenal! On a side note, hopefully everyone else had a better travel experience with their flights than I did! As a reminder, if you ever get on a plane and see me on it just go ahead and change flights because there will be a problem somewhere along the way! But that is another story for another day

As we begin to look ahead to a summer of possibilities, I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that SACRAO would not be the amazing organization that we have come to know without your help and involvement! I encourage you to take a moment to complete the I’m Available form online. There is no such thing as a small contribution when it comes to a volunteer organization. Every little bit helps and there are so many great committees that would love to welcome your contributions to help make our organization even better than it already is. Click here to learn more about all of the various committees that are a part of SACRAO. Additionally, the SACRAO Executive Committee is in the process of transitioning to new SACRAO specific email addresses that can be found online to help improve our ability to communicate in a timely manner with everyone. If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to share with me or any other EC member.

As I’ve said before, it is an honor to serve this amazing organization as your President for the year ahead. I look forward to all of the great things that we have the potential to accomplish, and I look forward to helping this organization and our members to continue to grow.

Sincerely,

Patrick Frazier, Ed.D. SACRAO President

President-Elect Report

Program planning for SACRAO 2024 is already underway, and it’s time for you to start thinking about how you can make a significant contribution to your profession by presenting alongside your colleagues We hope to offer sessions from all professional areas represented at the conference - admissions, registrar, enrollment management, student affairs, information technology - there is room for everyone! Please consider sharing your expertise by presenting a session at SACRAO 2024, in Lexington, KY

Visit the SACRAO website to submit your session proposal We look forward to receiving your session proposals!

Ed Trombley SACRAO President-elect

Treasurer's Report

The budget, approved at the business meeting in February, is available on the SACRAO website. See Resources, Budget Information.

SACRAO employs the accounting firm of Jennings & Cook to audit our records and submit any necessary tax filings. Over the next month or so I’ll be working with our contact at the firm to provide the necessary documents and answer any questions they may have about SACRAO’s accounts

Since financial articles can be SO boring, I am hoping, with each newsletter, to give you a fun fact about money You never know when this could come in handy at your local watering hole’s trivia night – or if you ever make it to final Jeopardy!

I am honored to serve SACRAO in this role and welcome any questions the membership has about our accounts or our financial processes

Amy Gleason Duke University

Timeisrunningout!

$28,354.47 $192,353 49 $72,475 83 $5,500 00 $298,683.79

One bill weighs one gram and 454 bills equal one pound.

The typical lifespan of a one-dollar bill is 18 months. Money is recycled when worn out.

There are 293 ways to make change for one dollar. Source: moneysmartguides.com

Castyourvoteforthe2024-2025 NominationsandElectionscandidates

Inordertovote:Pleaselogintoyouraccounttovoteforuptofour candidates.Thefourcandidateswiththehighestvotetotalswillcomprise thecommittee.ThecandidatewiththemostoverallvoteswillbeChair.

⬜ LisaCote,UniversityofSouthCarolina

⬜ TracyFinch,ArkansasStateUniversity

⬜ LaurenFindley,JacksonvilleStateUniversity

⬜ JayFlynn,SweetBriarCollege

⬜ MelissaHyatt,TexasStateUniversity

⬜ BobbyLothringer,SouthernMethodistUniversity

⬜ TaylorRichmond,WestVirginiaUniversity

⬜ ShannonTipton,EasternKentuckyUniversity

Federal Advocacy Committee Update

The Federal Advocacy Committee has partnered with Michelle Mott, Director of Public Policy with AACRAO to provide you with items and topics that AACRAO is tracking at the Federal level that affects our institutions and our students. Below are the AACRAO updates that we would like to share with you. We hope that the items will be informative and will assist you with your knowledge of what is happening at the Federal level regarding high education

CongressionalHillDay–Aftertwoyearsofvirtualmeetings,AACRAO’sCongressionalHillDaywillreturntoCapitolHillon Thursday, June 22, 2023. AACRAO Hill Day is a unique opportunity for members to engage with congressional offices about their experiences of working in higher education and discuss the association’s legislative agenda Members have the chance toconnectwithothers,sharetheirpolicyperspectives,andensuredecision-makersareawareofmemberissues Learnmore here. The in-person event will be held in person in Washington, DC on Thursday, June 22 in tandem with the AACRAO Leadership Meeting, which takes place June 23 – 25, 2023. However, Hill Day participation is not limited to leadership meeting attendees Everyone is encouraged to apply Members interested in participating in AACRAO’s Congressional Hill DayshouldcompletetheapplicationformbyApril28,2023.

AACRAOIssuesGuidanceinPreparationforSupremeCourtDecisioninAdmissionsCases–Lastfall,theU.S SupremeCourt heard oral arguments in two cases challenging the race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina (UNC). Ahead of arguments, AACRAO joined the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), ACT, Inc and the College Board in an amicusbrief to inform the Supreme Court of the importance of continuing to allow admission professionals to holistically review all factors regarding applicants. The court is expected to issue a final decision in the cases in the coming months. In anticipation of that decision, AACRAO recently issuedguidance to prepare members for a possible major change in their ability to consider an applicant's race and ethnicity as part of a holistic/equity review in admissions. The guidance encourages members to begin to examine any policies, practices, and procedureswhereaffirmativeaction(raceand/orethnicity)isormaybeafactor.

AdministrationDevelopments

Education Dept. Delays Implementation of Third-Party Servicer Guidance – The U.S. Education Department delayed implementation of its proposedguidance on third-party servicers (TPS) until September after pushback from AACRAO and otherhighereducationassociations InFebruary,theagencyreleasedupdatedguidanceonwhenorganizationsthatcontract with institutions are considered regulated entities known as third-party servicers, including online program management companies (OPM) that help colleges recruit and retain students and operate their online academic programs The guidance alsoexpansivelybroadensthedefinitionofthird-partyservicers,subjectingawiderrangeofvendorstoexpensiveandtimely reporting requirements and, possibly, holding the organizations responsible for financial penalties if they fail to report relationships with outside providers AACRAO joined 44 other associations in a letter to the department, urging officials to extendboththe30-daycommentperiodontheguidance whichtookeffectimmediately andtheproposedMay1deadline for colleges to begin reporting their relationships with providers they believe meet the new guidelines. The groups support the agency ' s goal of gaining a better understanding of institutional relationships with outside entities and ensuring proper federaloversight Buturgedthedepartmenttoprovidemoretimetoallowcollegesanduniversitiestobetterunderstandthe guidance to surface any unintended disruption of services to students currently provided by institutions through these entities.

LegislativeDevelopments

HouseEducationCommitteeHostsFirstHearingin118thCongress–TheU.S.HouseEducationandWorkforcehelditsfirst hearinginthenewCongressinFebruary,outliningkeypolicyareasinK-12andhighereducation Lawmakersandpanelists

discussedgenderidentityandtransgenderissues,thereturnoninvestmentofacollegeeducation,expandingthePellGrant to cover short-term programs, and the need to provide more access to postsecondary programs, among other things More specifically, the committee pressed witnesses to address how schools refer to students based on their gender identity, whether lessons on gender identity should be taught in the classroom, and what Congress should do about transgender student rights The committee also discussed expanding Pell Grants to cover short-term programs, a top priority for chairperson Virginia Foxx (R-NC). Current law restricts the grants to programs that run at least 15 weeks long. However, Rep Foxx is sponsoringabill to expand Pell eligibility, lowering that threshold to at least eight weeks Lawmakers on both sidesoftheaislegenerallysupportthePellGrantexpansion,butsomeworrythatthepolicyshiftcouldopenupfederalfunds tosupportlowerqualityprograms.

RegulatoryDevelopments

Biden Administration Announces New Round of Higher Ed Rulemaking – The Biden administration released its latest regulatory agenda, outlining plans to write new rules for a wide range of higher education and student loan policies. The announcement indicates that the US Education Department would hold a series of negotiated rulemaking sessions this spring to overhaul rules governing distanceeducation,stateauthorization, accreditation, federal TRIO programs, return to Title IV, cash management, third-party servicers, and deferments and forbearances. The administration's plan for another major round of rulemaking follows the two previous series of negotiations it conducted in 2021-22 focusing heavily on student loan relief programs and institutional accountability. The latest move suggests that the White House and department plan to move aggressively to continue to influence postsecondary education in the second half of President Biden's term The spring regulatory agenda also includes plans to issue proposed rules on a number of lingering issues discussedduringthosepreviousnegotiatedrulemakingprocesses,includingabilitytobenefit,gainfulemployment,financial responsibility, standards of administrative capability, certification procedures, and income-contingent loan repayment plans

Additionally, the department signaled its intention to issue the long-awaited final Title IX rule to overhaul how schools respond to sexual misconduct complaints and extend federal protections to certain groups in May The agenda also, once again, includes plans to amend the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations "to update, clarify, and improve the current regulations by addressing outstanding policy issues, such as clarifying the definition of 'education records' and clarifying provisions regarding disclosures to comply with a judicial order or subpoena" The forthcoming proposedregulations,whichhaveappearedontheagency'sregulatoryagendaforthepastfewyears,wouldalsochangethe name of the office designated to administer FERPA and make changes related to the enforcement responsibilities of the officeconcerningFERPA

IntheCourts

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Student Loan Debt Relief Cases – The U.S. Supreme Court in February heard oral arguments in two cases challenging President Biden's student loan debt relief plan The hearing focused on whether the plaintiffs in the cases have standing to sue over the program, whether federal statute gives the Biden administration the authority to forgive student loans, and whether the justices should apply a stricter standard in their review of the two lawsuits before the court The Biden administration argues that the 2003 Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act gives the department broad authority to provide borrowers financial help because of a national emergency. Both sets of plaintiffs disagree. Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuchappearedskepticalofthatlegalbasis,aswell,whileJusticesAmyConeyBarrettandBrettKavanaughremainedless clearintheirviews.Somejusticesalsoquestionedthefairnessoftheprogram,particularlyforthosewhohavepaidofftheir loans, financed college without debt, or decided not to go to college because of the cost. The court is expected to issue its opinion in May or June In the meantime, the Education Department extended its pause on student loan payments and interestthroughJune30,asthepolicyremainsblockedbythecourts.

Membership Report

I would like to provide you with some updates regarding username and password recovery, membership dues, and how Key Contacts can update their institutional attributes.

First, there have been some questions about how members can reset their passwords into the SACRAO website Go to SACRAO org Log in (your username is your email) in the upper right corner If you have not set up a password, simply leave the fields blank and select Login

If you try the information listed above and are still having issues, please reach out to me and we will get things figured out.

Secondly, if your institution has not yet renewed your annual dues, please review the information on "how to view and pay my institutional or organization annual dues" which also appears on the Membership Management FAQ page. If you have additional questions please feel free to contact me and we will work together to get you set up!

Institutional Key Contacts should remember that the names that are listed on your membership dues invoice have no bearing on the amount your institution pays in dues. Dues are based on the enrollment at your institution.The Dues and Application page notes that beginning with the 2018-19 membership year for institutional members, SACRAO moved to a tiered system for annual dues. As a result, your institution is no longer limited to a specific number of individual members!

If you are the Key Contact for your institution please remember to log into the SACRAO website to review and update the members associated with your institution Instructions on how to do this can be found on the Membership Management FAQ page

Finally, if you are a Key Contact, please consider completely filling out your institutional attributes to include the various items including advising system, degree audit system, learning management system, and school calendar among others The institutional attributes can be updated by going to Membership on the menu bar, selecting My Membership Profile Then Selecting My Organization, if you are the Key Contact

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Dr. Tom Donohoe VP for States, Regionals, and Membership vp-membership@sacrao.org

As of April 2023, SACRAO has over 3000 individual members in over 350 member institutions!

CACRAO Newcomer's Conference and Annual Meeting

Newcomer's Conference: July 10 - 12, 2023 at UNC Charlotte

The Newcomers Conference is an annual workshop designed for new admission professionals to learn real-world experience The program provides training in critical skills for success and discussion of pertinent issues and situations encountered in the admission profession Participants will attend presentations, work within small-group settings, and will have plenty of networking opportunities with leaders and other newcomers in admissions This is a great training opportunity for any of your new hires

52nd Annual Meeting: December 3 - 5, 2023

CACRAO is excited to invite you to join us for the 52nd Annual Meeting held December 3-5, 2023 in Cherokee, NC at Harrah's Cherokee Resort! Registration will open in September!

All session suggestions and proposals submitted will be considered when soliciting session topics for the annual meeting. The deadline for session proposals is July 31, 2023. The program committee will notify selected presenters via email by September 2023.

TACRAO Update

The TACRAO Executive Committee (TEC) hopes the SACRAO membership had a great time in Charlotte, NC at the Annual Meeting feeling informed and inspired through rich presentations and professional development. In November 2022, TACRAO successfully hosted the 101st Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX led by Ms. Paige Bussell. The TACRAO Executive Committee is excited to host the 102nd Annual Conference for the first time in Denton, TX from October 29-November 1, 2023 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center. The Executive Committee will meet again in June to review the slate of presentations, and TEC looks forward to sharing those with the membership soon.

Additional conference information can be found on the TACRAO events page

The TEC will work to lead the organization by remembering to create experiences of “Inclusive Innovation for Student Success” in creating an outstanding conference. TACRAO looks forward to another great year and conference with our membership!

TNACRAO Update

Save the date! Annual Conference is November 14-16, 2023.

FACRAO Update

FACRAO@SACRAO

FACRAO had a good showing at the SACRAO conference in Charlotte in February, including session presentations by FACRAO members from the University of Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University The three-day conference was a great opportunity for professional development and enjoying the benefits of networking and mingling with colleagues Not to mention exploringandenjoyingtheamazingeventattheNASCARHallofFame!

FACRAOHigherEducationSummit2023

FACRAO is pleased to announce that registration for their 14th Annual Higher EducationSummitisopen!OurthemethisyearisBridgingtheGap Astheworld evolves, we as higher education professionals must too Working crossfunctionallywithIT,EnrollmentManagementcolleaguesandcampuspartnersis criticaltoourcontinuedsuccessandimprovement

Visit the FACRAO website at Annual Summit (memberclicksnet) for additional informationandtoregister!Interestedinpresenting?Submitasessionproposal at Florida Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (memberclicksnet) The Summit is scheduled for Sunday, June 4, 2023, through Thursday, June 8, 2023, at The Florida Hotel and Conference Center in vibrant Orlando, Florida. In the heart of Orlando and just steps from the Florida Mall, The Florida Hotel and Conference Center offers the convenience of a central location with the personalized touch and warm hospitality you deserve. Guests can make reservations at The Florida Hotel Orlando or by calling 1-407-8591500andaskingfortheFACRAOAnnualSummitbyMay16.

2023 Annual Meeting Scholarship Recipient Feedback

I wanted to take this time to thank you so much again for this experience! I learned so much, met some great people, and ultimately had a great time! I’m definitely hoping to attend more conferences like this one in the future.

Haley Inancsi East Tennessee State University Student Pre-Professional Scholarship

The conference was such a rewarding and educational experience, and I truly enjoyed attending this year. Thank you and the leaders of SACRAO for all of your hard work in putting this conference together, as I know it is not an easy task.

Christopher Shepard Trident Technical College Multicultural/Emerging Leader Scholarship

It was a pleasure being able to attend this year’s SACRAO Conference. Sessions that were offered were very informative! I want to thank you again for selecting me as one of the scholarship recipients.

Linda Martinez Trident Technical College Multicultural/Emerging Leader Scholarship