From: Dr. Arnold Mitchem
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE -- 8/1/05
Urgent Alert from Dr. Arnold Mitchem
Monday, July 18th, 2005
The accompanying document lists the members of Congress from each state (listed by state) who have not yet signed the Cole/Payne letter opposing the “Novice Provision” in the TRIO authorization (HR 609), which reauthorizes the Higher Education Act (HEA). The Novice Provision is an enormous threat to existing TRIO programs because it mandates that $83 million for FY '06 (10% of the yearly TRIO budget) be set aside for new programs. This “Novice Provision” REMAINED in the bill when HEA was marked up in Subcommittee last week.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not use the phrase “prior experience points” in your conversations with members of Congress and their staffers because prior experience is not part of the “Novice Provision.”
If the “Novice Provision” were in effect in the upcoming TRIO Talent Search/Educational Opportunity Center competition, $83 million of the $193 million (43%) of the Talent Search/EOC allocation would be reserved for new applicants. That means existing programs would be competing for only 57% of the money available. You can tell your members of Congress that it is unlikely that all the existing TRIO money now in the state and district would remain if the Novice Provision is enacted.
It is absolutely critical that every member of each state delegation sign the Cole/Payne letter by Tuesday evening if at all possible. The full committee could act on the bill as early as Wednesday morning, July 20th.
If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact Heather Valentine, Alvin Phillips, Angelica Vialpando or Jamie Baxter at 202-347-7430.
Thank you,
Dr. Arnold Mitchem
Reps Not Signed On Cole-Payne Letter