National Legislation Passes House and Senate
On March 18th The U.S. House of Representatives passed the GIVE (Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education) Act by a roll call vote of 321 ’“ 105. The legislation reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service, expands and strengthens national service and service-learning programs, increases volunteer opportunities for all ages, and promotes social innovation as a strategy to address community challenges. The Senate will now take up the Serve America Act—a bill sponsored by Senators Kennedy and Hatch that has many of the same provisions.
Campus Compact has played a key role in shaping the areas of these bills that relate to opportunities for and impact on higher education. These areas include:
- Establishing the ‘Campus of Service’ designation for colleges and universities exhibiting a commitment to civic engagement and service-learning activities.
- Instituting a longitudinal study of service-learning.
- Including higher education as a partner in the establishment of youth Engagement Zones.
View the summary and full text of the bill from GovTrack.
NEW: On March 26, the Senate approved the legislation in a 78-20 vote. On March 31, the House passed the final version of the act by a vote of 274-149. It now goes to President Obama to be signed into law.
Thanks to all of you who contacted your Congressmen to enlist their support!
Campus Compact Presidents’ Letter Supports Serve America Act
Led by the Campus Compact national board of directors, more than 100 college and university presidents have signed a letter in support of the Serve America Act, sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (MA) and Orrin Hatch (UT). The letter emphasizes the bill’s positive effect on higher education and civic engagement work and encourages members of Congress to support swift passage of the bill. This is one of many mechanisms through which Campus Compact and its members worked to pass this vital legislation.
