Hill Day
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CECU Hill Day returned to Washington in March 2018. Stay tuned for more information on the next CECU Hill Day.
Join representatives from sector institutions along with their students, alumni, employer advocates and other third-party partners participate in presentations in the annual policy meeting for the sector. The meeting will be followed by visits with elected officials on Capitol Hill. These visits with members of Congress and congressional staff members provide an opportunity to educate them on the role our institutions play within the higher education sector. CECU's Hill Day event is an opportunity for institutions of higher education to get more involved in our political outreach program. The Hill Day agenda is designed to provide attendees with a peek into the future of the sector as well as the most recent and comprehensive update on the latest federal events and sector research. |
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Hill Day - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hill Day?
CECU hosts a Hill Day event in our nation’s capital. Hundreds of representatives from our member institutions along with their students, alumni, employer advocates and other third-party partners participate in presentations, followed by visits with their elected officials on Capitol Hill. These visits with members of Congress and congressional staff members provide an opportunity to educate them on the role our institutions play within the higher education sector.
What are the typical Hill Day events and activities?
During Hill Day, our member institutions participate in committee meetings, attend presentations and briefings, and then culminate with meetings with members of Congress.
Who from my institution should attend Hill Day?
CECU member institution faculty and staff are welcome to attend. In addition to staff, we strongly encourage member institutions to invite and bring advocates that can provide validation of the institution’s value such as students, alumni, employers and community partners.
What is the main policy "ask" for the Hill Day Congressional visits?
In 2018, registered Hill Day attendees focused on the impact of the gainful employment regulation and Higher Education Act Reauthorization policy recommendations. In preparation for their congressional visits, each attendee received background information and talking points on the above mentioned points.
What should I do to prepare for Hill Day?
You should be prepared to provide basic information about your organization:
Tips for Successful Meetings with Your Elected Official
This is my first time attending Hill Day. Do you have any tips for me?
What is Hill Day?
CECU hosts a Hill Day event in our nation’s capital. Hundreds of representatives from our member institutions along with their students, alumni, employer advocates and other third-party partners participate in presentations, followed by visits with their elected officials on Capitol Hill. These visits with members of Congress and congressional staff members provide an opportunity to educate them on the role our institutions play within the higher education sector.
What are the typical Hill Day events and activities?
During Hill Day, our member institutions participate in committee meetings, attend presentations and briefings, and then culminate with meetings with members of Congress.
Who from my institution should attend Hill Day?
CECU member institution faculty and staff are welcome to attend. In addition to staff, we strongly encourage member institutions to invite and bring advocates that can provide validation of the institution’s value such as students, alumni, employers and community partners.
What is the main policy "ask" for the Hill Day Congressional visits?
In 2018, registered Hill Day attendees focused on the impact of the gainful employment regulation and Higher Education Act Reauthorization policy recommendations. In preparation for their congressional visits, each attendee received background information and talking points on the above mentioned points.
What should I do to prepare for Hill Day?
You should be prepared to provide basic information about your organization:
- Most importantly, quantify the difference your institution makes to the community.
- History and overview of your institution(s)
- A list of all the programs offered at your institution(s)
- Admissions overview
- Tuition and fees
- Services offered (student services, job placement help, etc.)
- Students (current and graduated), faculty and employer testimonials
- Awards/recognition received
- What is the current enrollment (breakout students by gender, race and age)?
- How many students have graduated from the institution?
- What is the job placement rate?
- How many local businesses employ your graduates and/or provide internships?
- What are your financial aid statistics?
- Describe your institution’s enrollment process.
Tips for Successful Meetings with Your Elected Official
- Remember that most Hill visits are brief (15-20 minutes) and often with a legislative staffer who is responsible for education issues. Therefore, plan on making no more than three key points, using examples and, if you brought an employer and/or a student/alumni, give these advocates time to talk.
- Be Prepared and Concise
- Review and rehearse the key points you want to make.
- Be on Time
- But don’t be surprised if the members of Congress and/or their staff are not on time. Congressional schedules are hectic; therefore you need to be flexible and patient. If CECU has scheduled your meetings, we work to accommodate for the unexpected. If you are running late for your next appointment, call that office to let them know.
- Be Responsive
- Answer their questions, but if you can’t, let them know you will get back to them with the information and follow-up.
- Be Appreciative
- Thank your elected official or the congressional staff person. Following the meeting send a thank you note to the person you met with. In your thank you note, consider mentioning an open invitation to visit your campus when the member of Congress is back in the district/state.
- Provide Feedback
- Please complete the feedback form that CECU provides to let us know how your congressional visits went, what was discussed and what we can do to improve on our annual Hill Day event.
This is my first time attending Hill Day. Do you have any tips for me?
- Bring plenty of business cards
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Carry a bottle of water and small snacks with you (banana, granola bar, trail mix)
- Tour Washington, D.C.’s many historical sites (schedule permitting)