A quick look back at the news from last week. Compiled by Penn Hill Group.

HOUSE and SENATE

The House and Senate will be in recess until after the September 5^th Labor Day Holiday.

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) along with House Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) and House Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued statements opposing the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) decision to allow graduate students at private colleges and universities to unionize.

ADMINISTRATION

The NLRB issued a 3-1 decision, in a case involving Columbia University, that graduate students at private colleges and universities are statutory employees covered by the National Labor Relations Act.  This decision would allow for the formation of unions representing graduate students at these institutions.

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Georgia alleging that its treatment and segregation of students with disabilities violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released research that shows that nearly half of American parents underestimate the harm of school absences.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action against Wells Fargo Bank for alleged illegal private student loan servicing practices.

ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid announced a series of updates to its Data Center, including data on applications received for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

ED took a series of actions regarding ITT Educational services including banning the institution from enrolling new Title IV students.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES 

Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.