[Wsssc] [SPAM] Student Service Updates 3/8/2024

[Lauren Hibbs]

Dear WSSSC members,



This week we have updates for you to stay informed about the latest legislative developments; financial aid initiatives and resources; learn about the progress and impact of the WSAC regional challenge; and watch a thought-provoking video on the emotional challenges facing our students, presented from a leadership perspective. This update also includes progress of the Student Success RFP; a brief update from Jamie on colleges in the high school programs; the guided pathways work plan; and results of the summer joint meeting surveys completed during Thursday's hot topics session.



As always, if you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you!


2024 Legislative Update
The Legislature on Thursday passed the 2024 supplemental operating budget, including nearly $2.4 billion in funding for the community and technical college system for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year, which ends June 30, and the 2025 fiscal year. For the full 2024 budget read here<https://www.sbctc.edu/blogs/legislative-news/2024/2024-03-08>, and for Student Services we see the following:

$412,000 - HB 2112 Opioid Education: The Legislature has approved HB 2112<https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/2112-S2.PL.pdf?q=20240306121010>, which requires higher ed institutions to provide fentanyl test strips and naloxone in locations that are accessible to students, such as wellness centers, student union buildings, and student housing. The bill also requires colleges and universities to train staff working in residence halls how to administer naloxone, regardless of the size of the residence hall. SB 5380<https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5380-S.SL.pdf?q=20240306122025#page=50> (2019) already requires colleges with residence halls housing 100 or more students to have a plan to maintain and administer opioid overdose reversal medication and to train designated personnel to administer it. However, SB 5380 does not specifically state that the trained personnel must include residence hall staff; HB 2112 does. So those of you who already have plans under SB 5380 will need to add residence hall staff as designated personnel and ensure they are trained.
$425,000 - HB 1835 outreach specialist expansion: Funding is provided to expand the Student Aid Outreach and Completion Initiative pilot program in RCW 28B.50.940 to participating community and technical colleges located in Capital Region Educational Service District 113 (Grays Harbor, Centralia, South Puget Sound).
$553,000 - Funding 1559 Student basic need navigators - Funding is provided to increase the 0.75 FTE benefit navigator per campus to 1.0 FTE to implement Chapter 421, Laws of 2023 (2SHB 1559).
$11,000 - Edmonds veterans support: Funding is provided for students who are military veterans, focusing on counseling services, financial assistance, and reentry services. (General Fund-State - One-Time)
Running Start and College in the High School: Director Jamie Traugott will be attending the spring wsssc meeting to provide further guidance.

Financial Aid Updates
SBCTC's Financial Aid dashboard<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/collegeaccess/research-data/financial-aid-dashboard> was launch in 2020. At the time, a webinar was recorded that can be found here<https://sbctc.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/sbctc/recording/play/b6a50ac825884c6286223f76adb452aa>. The dashboard allows college users to view aid program trends, utilization among credential-seeking students, and a breakout of demographics. It also includes completion and retention data for recipients. Based on an analysis from our dashboard from our Policy and Research team, we observe that approximately one-third or 90,000 students across our colleges receive need-based aid. Notably, over 50% of these aid recipients are students of color. It's evident that any delays in aid disbursement will disproportionately affect students of color. Now more than ever, this is an opportunity for us to work together to lead with racial, social, and economic justice.
FTI Privacy and Use Guidance: The attached Department of Education FTI presentation, slides 12-21, overview the current institutional guidelines for FTI use, misuse, responsibility, and risk. Also attached includes the presentation transcript for protecting FTI at your institution.
FAFSA Position Paper and Pivoted Action Plan: Coming Soon!
NASFAA Articles provided by VPSS Karl Smith that includes helpful guidance: Can We Share FAFSA Filers With the Admissions Office So They Can Recruit Those Students<https://askregs.nasfaa.org/article/36922/can-we-share-fafsa-filers-with-the-admissions-office-so-they-can-recruit-those-students>?. And What Is Considered FAFSA Data For Purposes Of Data Sharing<https://askregs.nasfaa.org/article/36565/what-is-considered-fafsa-data-for-purposes-of-data-sharing>?
Senator T'wina Nobles FAFSA Toolkit: The Senator developed a FAFSA Toolkit to help current and future college students navigate the new FAFSA system. In the attached Nobles FAFSA Tool kit, you will find language, links, and social media graphics ready for you to share.

WSAC Regional Challenge Grant (includes attachment)
On Friday, February 16 the 2024 Request for Letters of Interest closed with 38 submitted Letters of Interest. The attached memo summarizes the application pool, outlines the review process, and provides a timeline leading to the May Council meeting. For additional details, please visit wsac.wa.gov/challenge-grants<https://wsac.wa.gov/challenge-grants>.

Increase in student conduct and emotional challenges

Video: How do we hold space for the younger generation?<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKT_5Pj1gWA>  In student affairs, we've observed a significant shift in our role towards embracing the essence of social work. Recent discussions in hot topics, in VPSS one-on-ones, here at the state board, have each highlighted the rapid increase in student conduct and decreasing emotional regulation, presenting challenges that demand attention and resources. Here's a short video clip that encapsulates the essence of what many of our teams may be experiencing in leadership and on the front lines. I hope you'll take just five minutes to watch and reflect on the profound impact of our work.

Student Success RFP

Patrick, Karl, and Ruby provided a concise overview of the progress made on the student success tool RFP. They circulated a spreadsheet to the wsssc SS RFP work plan members for feedback on the essential functions and components of the tool, slated to be presented to the full RFP taskforce on Monday. There were also discussions about the need for some commissions and councils to strengthen their communication structures to facilitate better engagement with their members.

Important College in the High School Funding Update (From Jamie Traugott & Joyce Hammer)
An important update from Director Jamie Traugott related to the College in the High School (CiHS) program funding and its implications on SB 5048<https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5048-S2.SL.pdf?q=20240304112300>, which was passed in 2023. The Legislature has made a recent determination regarding the definition of a 'course', which can be found in RCW 28B.10.058(3)(c)<https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.10.058>. This definition might affect your current and future CiHS reimbursement allocations. While SBCTC interprets a 'course' in the bill language as a 'class' or a 'section', the Legislature defines it as the higher education institution's administration of the course curriculum itself, regardless of how many individual class iterations or sections the class is broken down into. Please see the below example for further clarification-

Course Reimbursement Example:
Instructor Steele teaches 5 periods of ENGL 101 at the high school.
Since all 5 periods are taught by Instructor Steele under the same course curriculum, the college will only receive one reimbursement of $3500 instead of 5 course reimbursements.

We are currently working on a legislative fix in 2025 including the sponsorship of a bill which will contain recommendations around CiHS reimbursement rate, clear course and class definitions, and the overall allocation model to ensure funding reflects the true cost to operate and grow CiHS programs. If your college is negatively impacted by this decision, we will be reaching out shortly with more details. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we navigate through this transitional period and explore next steps.  Please feel free to reach out to Jamie Traugott or Dr. Joyce Hammer with any additional questions or concerns.
For any questions regarding the possible financial impact to your college please contact your business office as they will be working closely with SBCTC's business operations around future allocations.
Sincerely,  Jamie Traugott & Dr. Joyce Hammer

Guided Pathways Work Plan Release, Monday March 11 (From Monica Wilson)
I am writing to inform you that there has been a slight adjustment to our original schedule, and the release of the Guided Pathways work plan will be delayed until Monday, March 11th. I understand the importance of having the work plan available to you in a timely manner, and I apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause.  I appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter. If you have any urgent concerns or questions during this period, please feel free to reach out to Monica.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Summer Joint Retreat Survey (WSSSC, DEOC, IC, RPC)
A brief commission pulse was taken via survey on the preferred timeframe, topics, and general input for a summer joint commission. Below includes input from wsssc'ers who participated in Thursday's hot topics. Additionally, comments were shared about the retreat leading with a purpose connected to the workplans (WACTC + Commissions); the value of keeping the full group/commissions together throughout the retreat; and being conscious of individuals time commitment to get away. WSSSC exec will continue to meet to flush out ideas and to identify 2 or so representatives to sit on the joint meeting steering committee. If you are interested, please email Claire, Rob, or me.

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Wishing you a great end to this week and hope to see some of you at NASPA in Seattle!
[Compass]
Lauren Hibbs, Ed.D
Director, Student Services
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
lhibbs at sbctc.edu* o: 360-704-4334 *
sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> * Twitter: @SBCTCWashington<https://twitter.com/SBCTCWashington> * Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/>

SBCTC Vision:

"Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."



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