Open Meetings Law Update - Evaluating Professional Competency under 21.5(1)(i)
On January 9, 2025, the Iowa Court of Appeals opinion in Teig v. Loeffler adopted a new standard for determining when a closed session is permitted to "evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered" by a governmental body that is subject to the Open Meetings Law. In the Teig opinion, the Court of Appeals stated that an evidentiary finding must be made indicating that this type of closed session is "necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury" to the individual who has requested the closed session. In the opinion, the Iowa Court of Appeals concluded the governmental body "violated the statute's requirements when, upon closing the session, it failed to even attempt to ascertain any specific, damaging information that would justify continuing the interview outside the public's view." It is recommended the governmental body make a record in closed session that it has evaluated the facts of the situation and determined that it is necessary to have a closed session (in whole or in part) to prevent needless and irreparable injury to the individual's reputation. As an additional note, a request for further review is pending before the Iowa Supreme Court of this Court of Appeals decision.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Named One of the Best Higher Ed Websites of 2024
EICC has been named one of the Best Higher Ed Websites of 2024 by Modern Campus, a recognition that highlights the college's commitment to an engaging, user-friendly, and accessible online experience for students and the community. EICC's Marketing and Communications team dedicated nearly two years to a complete website redesign and rewrite, culminating in the launch of the new site in June 2023. The impact has been significant. EICC's website transformation was made possible by the dedication of its Marketing and Communications team. The acknowledgement from Modern Campus affirms EICC's ongoing commitment to innovation and student success - both online and in the classroom. To explore EICC's award-winning website, visit eicc.edu.
SCC to Host Dedication and Open House for Rev. Dr. William Amos "Booker" Smith Sr. Activity Center
Southeastern Community College will host a dedication and open house for the Rev. Dr. William Amos "Booker" Smith Sr. Activity Center. Attendees can tour the facility and learn about its role in serving students and the community. Guests are also welcome to stay for SCC's annual Black History Banquest immediately following at 5:30pm in the Blackhawk Rec Center. The event is free and open to the public. This event will take place Tuesday, February 25th at 4:30pm at SCC, 1500 West Agency Road, West Burlington, IA 52655. RSVP to Melissa Flores at (319)208-5021 or mflores@scciowa.edu.
US Department of Education Memorandum
Late on February 14, 2025, the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, published a Dear Colleague letter indicating that federal funding may be removed from institutions of primary, secondary, and post-secondary education that are found to violate the Department's interpretation of federal civil rights law, including by promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs deemed to discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Moreover, this letter cites the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard as evidence that racial preferences in college admissions is unlawful and expands this decision to prohibit the consideration of race in activities such as "hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life." Although not descriptive, the Department asserts that it plans to take steps to ensure compliance beginning 14 days after the publishing of the letter. Finally, this letter does not suggest if it would make a distinction between funds given to programs and funds provided to individuals. Here are parts of the letter: "Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon 'systemic and structural racism' and advanced discriminatory policies and practices... But under any banner, discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is, has been, and will continue to be illegal. The Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which clarified that the use of racial preferences in college admissions is unlawful, sets forth a framework for evaluating the use of race by state actors and entities covered by Title VI... Although SFFA addressed admissions decisions, the Supreme Court's holding applies more broadly... Although some programs may appear neutral on their face, a close look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations... Relying on non-racial information as a proxy for race, and making decisions based on that information violates the law... Other programs discriminate in less direct, but equally insidious, ways... The Department will no longer tolerate the overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this Nation's educational institutions... All students are entitled to a school environment free from discrimination... This letter provides notice of the Department's existing interpretation of federal law... All educational institutions are advised to: (1) ensure that their policies and actions comply with existing civil rights law; (2) cease all efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends; and (3) cease all reliance on third-party contractors, clearinghouses, or aggregators that are being used by institutions in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race. Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding. Anyone who believes that a covered entity has unlawfully discriminated may file a complaint with OCR."
Other Federal Updates
On average, the public community college Pell Grant recipient is award $4,149, the lowest in comparison to Pell Grant averages from other institution types. Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) has voted to advance Linda McMahon's nomination as Secretary of Education. Wednesday, the Senate HELP Committee held the confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, to lead the Department of Education. While both the House and Senate have Republican majorities, both presented different reconciliation strategies to fund President Trump's agenda. On Monday, a federal judge denied the University of California Student Association's request for a temporary restraining order which would block the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) staffers from accessing student data; an action that this group claimed to be an invasion of privacy. On Tuesday, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Biden administration lacked the authority to implement student debt relief programming that would lower the monthly payments for borrowers, thus blocking former President Biden's Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan.
Iowa Universities Change Admission Applications to Offer Just Two Sexes
In response to a letter from Republican lawmakers and recent federal directives, Iowa's public universities have revised their admission applications to offer only three options: male, female, or "prefer not to answer." This change aligns with President Trump's executive order recognizing only two sexes and reflects the universities' compliance with both state and federal policies.
Call for Speakers: 2025 EmpowerED Minds Conference
The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is now accepting proposals to lead a presentation, workshop, poster session, or sponsored session at 2025 EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit (formerly known as the Iowa BEST Summit), September 30-October 1, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. EmpowerED Minds brings together 1,000 K-12 and higher education professionals from across the country for a transformative 1.5-day summit focused on fostering well-being and mental health within educational communities. Presenters are invited to share innovative best practices, research, trends, actionable ideas, and solutions that meet the social-emotional-behavioral health professional development needs of K-12 educators, administrators, school counselors, school mental health providers, and higher education campus well-being professionals. Proposals should align with one of the four conference strands: (1) Empowering School Mental Health Professionals; (2) Exploring Innovations in Research & Practices; (3) Strengthening K-12 Education & Leadership; or (4) Advancing Well-Being in Higher Education. Breakout sessions are 60 minutes in length, while sponsored sessions are 45 minutes. Submissions are due by March 31, 2025, at 11:59pm CT. Applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than May 1, 2025. For questions, email scsmh-main@uiowa.edu. Presentations or workshop sessions may not be used to directly promote a presenter's product, service, or monetary self-interest. Standard AV equipment and internet are available in the breakout rooms. By registering for this event, you agree to be photographed or filed for promotional purposes. The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health does not provide ANY honorarium, speaker fees, or travel expenses to breakout session speakers. Selected presenters will need to complete a conference registration form and pay associated fees.
2025 ACCT Leadership Congress - Registration Now Open1
The ACCT Leadership Congress is the largest professional development opportunity for community college trustees, chief executives, and other thought and policy leaders. The 2025 ACCT Leadership Congress is an opportune time for community college leaders to share your experiences and expertise, network with people from around the country and beyond, and expand your knowledge of the community college sector. Join us in NEW ORLEANS for this exciting opportunity. All concurrent and general sessions will be taking place at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street. Early Bird Registration Deadline is Friday, August 15th! 2025 Call for Presentations Now Open! Deadline is Friday, May 23rd. If your college has instituted new programs, practices and/or policies that expand the knowledge base, that will challenge and inspire, we encourage you to submit a proposal to present a session at this year's ACCT Leadership Congress. Greater consideration will be given to proposals submitted in partnership with other colleges and/or organizations. Tracks: Innovating for the AI Era; Collaborative Solutions for Workforce Needs; Enrollment Strategies; Creating Student-Centered Pathways for Student Success; Effective Board Governance: How to be a Trustee. These 60-minute sessions are designed as lecture-type presentations; however, it is recommended that presenters include interactive activities throughout the presentation in order to keep participants engaged. Presentations must include trustees among presenters; must address one of the tracks; all presenters must register for the Congress; proposal must include a letter or support from the board of trustees of the college. Please Note: You MUST register for the conference prior to booking your hotel room under the ACCT block. IMPORTANT: If you are an ACCT Board or Committee member, you will be receiving a SPECIAL hotel reservation link to accommodate the extra days for the committee meetings.