College Policies

In March, President Obama called community colleges, universities and theology schools to come together despite their diverse faiths to make their communities a better place. Since the initial call went out from the White House, more than 240 schools have answered the challenge – a much larger number than the administration originally planned for. This movement has a twofold purpose: first, to cross religious lines and promote religious tolerance for college students across the country. The second purpose is to work together as a community to help those in need and protect the environment. With a growing population of postsecondary institutions jumping on the Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, it appears that the White House might get its wish on both counts.

This video reports on the White House meeting of the President's Interfaith Community Service Campus Challenge on August 3, 2011.

What is the Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge?

According to a report at WhiteHouse.gov, the Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge serves the ultimate goal of President Obama to emphasize faith and community involvement as a means of building understanding between diverse communities and contributing to the common good. As the President said in his address when he announced this challenge, “For over 200 years, Americans of all faiths have come together, put their shoulders to the wheel of history, and made this country what

Since the Great Recession began a few short years ago, budgets have been a concern for community colleges, with less money coming in from their states. This problem is exacerbated by the unprecedented influx of students, from displaced workers seeking new training to high school graduates who can no longer afford a four-year university. Fortunately, some community colleges are seeing financial relief as grants come from a wide range of resources. We’ll look at some grants community colleges receive for the upcoming school year.

Grants Given to Ivy Tech for the Benefit of Military Students

Ivy Tech is the big winner in the grant offered to Indiana colleges by the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. This community college received more than a half-million in funding from the foundation. According to a report at Inside Indiana Business, the money was awarded based on Ivy Tech’s efforts to enhance services for student service members, veterans, and their families.

The money is offered in 12 separate grants that will go to many of the Ivy Tech campuses across the state. The funds will be used for the following:

• The development of a podcast that will be used to educate students and faculty and create a supportive environment for veterans
• Enhancement of relationships with community agencies that work with the military population, such as WorkOne and Veterans of Foreign Affairs
• The creation of a “Boots to Suits” program to help veterans transition to civilian life

Ivy Tech

The economic downturn has made its presence felt throughout the country, as families and businesses are forced to tighten their belts and make difficult decisions about their spending habits. Community colleges are facing the same challenges, as severe budget cuts have forced many schools to make choices in staffing, degree programs, and enrollment.

As the deadlines for finalizing next year’s budgets are looming for many schools, we’ll take a look at what some of the community colleges across the nations are forced to do to make ends meet.

This video reports on a pending tuition increase in a local community college.

Cayuga Community College Hiking Tuition Rates

The Cayuga Community College Board of Trustees recently approved their latest budget for the upcoming academic year. According to a report at AuburnPub.com, the new budget will include a hefty tuition hike, as well as a request for additional funding from Cayuga County. The tuition increase will be a significant 7.25 percent jump after tuition was not raised at all during the previous academic year. This amount translates to a $260 increase, with full-time students now paying $3,820 per year and part-time students paying $150 per credit hour. College officials are predicting that the federal Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) will cover the increase for about 75 percent of the students that are currently receiving TAP.

Not everyone was in favor of

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Smoke-free policies at community colleges have evolved significantly over the past decade. What began as designated smoking areas has, in many cases, transitioned into fully tobacco-free campuses. In 2026, community colleges will not only ban traditional cigarettes but also address vaping, e-cigarettes, and emerging nicotine products.

This shift reflects broader public health priorities, changing student attitudes, and updated federal and state guidance. As community colleges continue to serve diverse student populations, their approach to campus health policies offers insight into larger trends in higher education.

The Shift Toward Tobacco-Free Campuses

Community colleges were early adopters of smoke-free policies, but the definition of “smoke-free” has expanded.

Today, many institutions enforce tobacco-free campus policies, which prohibit:

• Cigarettes
• Cigars and smokeless tobacco
• E-cigarettes and vaping devices
• Heated tobacco products

According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, thousands of U.S. colleges and universities now maintain 100 percent smoke-free or tobacco-free policies.

This shift aligns with updated public health recommendations and reflects growing awareness of secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure risks.

Why Community Colleges Are Leading the Movement

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to implement and scale these policies.

Diverse Student Populations

Community colleges serve students across age groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, and life stages. Many institutions emphasize accessible, healthy environments that support both traditional and adult learners.

Public Health Alignment

Most community colleges operate within public systems, making them more responsive to state and federal health initiatives. Policies often align with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Campus-Wide Impact

Unlike residential universities, community colleges

Incarcerated individuals are much more likely to return to prison three years after their release if they do not have access to educational opportunities beyond high school, a new study from the Institute of Higher Education Policy has found. In the report titled "Unlocking Potential: Results of a National Survey of Postsecondary Education in State Prisons," IHEP has determined that providing prisoners with access to college education benefits both the individual and society at large. The report was published this month on the IHEP website, including recommendations for policymakers regarding prisoners currently in the system.

According to IHEP, there are approximately 2.3 million people in the prison system in the United States today, costing taxpayers about $52 billion each year. Without access to any postsecondary education, seven of 10 formerly incarcerated individuals will return to prison within three years of their initial release. Recidivism costs states every year, which is why policymakers must consider instituting programs within the prison system to provide prisoners with the necessary training and education to find jobs after their release.

The Profile of a Prisoner

The IHEP study found many common characteristics of incarcerated individuals vs. the general population today, including:

• Incarcerated individuals are much more likely to come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds than the general population
• Those in prison tend to be from racial and ethnic minorities to a higher degree than the population at large
• Many in prison today were either working at low-paying jobs or not