Law, Policy, and Finance

Institutions of higher education are affected by laws and policies that range from access, affordability, readiness, and completion, to gainful employment. This course provides an overview of the major aspects of the legal, political, and financial environment that impact institutions of higher education. Offers students an opportunity to learn multiple approaches for addressing these requirements, for understanding and influencing policy development at all levels, and for navigating higher education's financial complexities, both internal and external. 

Reflections

I'm not entirely sure what it means, but there is something about the law that I find exciting. And not the parts that we all see on television in a multitude of law enforcement drama shows consistently on the prime time line-up. No. What excites me are the realties of it. Being immersed in the law and understanding the complexity of the cases, the complexity of the body of law, the complexity of human nature. I'm excited to recognize myself, my limitiations, my pre-conceived notions, my culture and how they influence my own interpretation of the law. 

On television the law is highly dramatic. It is emotional. Much like life. However, when in a position to make a decision about the law, emotions are second to the law itself. Evidence cannot be introduced that is not pertinent to the charge. And evidence that is not pertinent to the case is not up for consideration. It is the removal of extraneous information. It is the careful consideration of facts against the law. These are the things that excite me and this class did not fail on any count. 

Each week in discussions with my classmates I would find cause to question. Why are you saying that. What evidence do you have. Taking a broad view of the discussions I saw many opinions being voiced and it gave me great pause. Those unfamiliar with the law and how the law works view the law with such a unique and highly personal perspective, they let their opinions find their facts and ignore information that does not support their beliefs. It is a class such as this that perhaps is so important for higher education professionals to take, so they at least begin to see that the law--as imperfect as it is--is a powerful tool for truth and justice when viewed through a lens where personal opinion is cast aside in persuit of a higher truth.

Signature Assignment

Here we could pick any topic relevant to course material covered during the class. I recalled a week where in particular a topic had sparked a great conversation not only with my classmates but also at home with my family and I wanted to explore it further. Of course what one wants to do and what one is able to do are not always one in the same. Life has a way of getting in the way. However I persisted, and though hindered by time and by circumstance I believe I have conveyed enough fact, enough evidence and hopefully enough fervant belief to convey a sense of urgency for change, a need for change for a population that neither law nor society has yet to recognize as one of their own.

Debate Paper Assignment

Debating controversial topics is seldom simple. In this assignment we were given the topic of Affirmative Action within United States Higher Education Admissions Policy. And we had to pick a side. And we had to present a strong argument for the side that we picked. 

I have never been one to staunchly adhere to a side, be it Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal, Left or Right. I prefer to consider each situation independently and reflect upon all the possibilities that such a wide open view might bring. 

So here, in this paper, I picked a side. I picked the side that I thought would be the least popular. I explored this side with curiosity and I hope reader, that I can evoke this same curiosity for you

US Financial Aid Reformation Assignment

 This paper was crafted to address postsecondary federal financial aid within the United States and offer a strategy towards reformation. And while no single paper can address the depths of the problem within the policy, a paper just such as this can begin a conversation, which is how all change begins.