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The Midwestern Higher Education Compact strives to maintain communication with all of its member states. This newsletter provides higher education institutions and agencies timely information about MHEC programs and policy research and analysis. |
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| January 23, 2012
The Value of Health Insurance for Students in Higher Education
Health insurance coverage is a prominent issue in the United States with the number of uninsured growing as the cost of coverage increases. Postsecondary students are not immune to problems of uninsurance, leaving many vulnerable to the health and financial consequences of being uninsured or having inadequate coverage. In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted significant measures to address problems in accessing health insurance coverage. Despite these measures, many students will still face challenges in obtaining reasonable health insurance coverage.
To support its work in student health, MHEC commissioned the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) at the University of Minnesota to examine existing research and current thinking about the value of health insurance for the students in higher education. Health and wellness are key elements in maintaining student productivity and success, and students need access to high quality health coverage at a reasonable price. Please click here to read The Value of Health Insurance for Students in Higher Education.
For additional information on MHEC’s work in student health, contact Jennifer Dahlquist, assistant vice president for cost savings and chief financial officer, at 612-626-1602.
MHEC state visits begin in Kansas
MHEC commissioners, legislators, and MHEC committee members gathered for the Kansas state visit on January 17-19 in Topeka. MHEC President Larry Isaak and MHEC Director of State Relations Pam Schutt also attended the Kansas Workforce Summit. Joined by MHEC commissioners, legislators, and MHEC advisory committee members, President Isaak addressed members of the Kansas House Education Committee, House Appropriations Committee, the Senate Education Committee, and the Kansas Board of Regents to discuss MHEC activity in programs and services and key policy indicators for the state. Postsecondary readiness was the theme of President Isaak’s address to the participants of the Kansas Workforce Summit during the Kansas Celebration Banquet. The Missouri state visit is scheduled for January 24 and 25. Questions or suggestions for future state visits may be directed to Pam Schutt at 612-626-1066.
 Kansas State Visit Top: Barry Swanson, associate vice provost for operations and chief procurement officer at the University of Kansas, speaks to the Kansas delegation of commissioners and guests during the Kansas state dinner. Middle Left: Kansas legislators are Sen. Terrie Huntington, Rep. Barbara Ballard, and Rep. Tom Sloan. Huntington and Ballard are MHEC commissioners and Sloan is a former MHEC commissioner. Middle Right: MHEC Commissioner Dick Short; Sen. Ruth Teichman; and Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner for the Kansas Department of Education, gather for the Senate Education Committee meeting. Bottom: MHEC President Larry Isaak; Andy Tompkins, MHEC commissioner and president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents; Lana Oleen, former MHEC commissioner and former Kansas Senate majority leader; and MHEC Commissioner Dick Short. For more photos, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhec. MHEC state reports available on MHEC website
MHEC's annual state reports for 2010-11 are now available to download. The reports are tailored to each state and outline activities in MHEC's three core functions of cost savings and cost containment, student access and success, and policy research and analysis.
The reports also provide a snapshot of performance indicators for postsecondary education that are designed to tell a story of each state’s projected labor market demand for postsecondary education and training, current education levels of each state’s citizens, and the various factors that will influence each state’s ability to close the projected credentials gap to sustain economic and social health and well-being. Performance indicators are grouped into the following policy domains: 1) postsecondary education in 2025: projected demand and supply; 2)current rates of postsecondary enrollment; 3) current rates of degree completion; 4) current state investments in postsecondary education; 5) academic preparation; 6) affordability; 7) efficiency and effectiveness; and 8) benefits of higher education.
President Larry Isaak will share copies of the state report with MHEC commissioners, legislators, higher education leaders, and other stakeholders during upcoming visits to each of the MHEC member states.
Questions or for additional information about the policy data may be directed to Aaron Horn, policy research assistant. MHEC's Master Property Program prepares for annual loss control workshop
Participating institutions of the MHEC Master Property Program will gather in St. Louis on March 6-7 for the 14th Annual Loss Control Workshop. The workshop features best practices and lessons learned in the areas of risk management, facilities management, and emergency management and safety. The Master Property Program currently insures over 100 campuses nationwide with property values exceeding $78.9 billion and has saved MHEC states over $65.4 million since the program's inception. MHEC offers this annual event to the participating campuses. Campuses not currently participating in the program are welcome to attend the event for a fee of $150. Most meals are sponsored by the program administrators and vendor partners. The hotel’s group rate is $110. An optional session on MHEC's healthcare initiative MHECare will be available to attendees. Please contact MHEC's director of communication and marketing, Mary Roberson, at 612-626-0070 with questions. Download session information and register at www.mhec.org/workshop.
How Information is Changing the Teaching & Learning Environment
This article is a supplement to the presentation given on November 15, 2011, by Mark Hudson, manager of Dell Global Professional Learning, at MHEC’s 7th Annual Policy Summit: “Ready or Not Here They Come: Ensuring the College Success of All Students.”
How do learning environments change as information gets larger, grows faster, and becomes more complex? The impact is that this generation of students typically has to disconnect when they enter the classroom. This concept of disconnecting is a concern for many educators, who want to meet students where they are, and they are digital learners.
When many began utilizing the internet it was through dial-up access and for the most part it was only to consume information. Most students today don’t even know a world without high-speed access. They expect to not only consume but be producers and interact with information online. Web 2.0 sites like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook didn’t even exist a decade ago. Now they are a daily part of our lives. The usage numbers are almost unbelievable:
What does that mean for the classroom? Educators can leverage this exciting opportunity to use online tools to better prepare students for the global job market through blended and personalized learning approaches. They can also help this generation’s students achieve their academic goals by leveraging their interest in consuming and producing digitally.
MHECare video answers key questions about initiative
The sixth in a series of articles about the new Midwest Student Health Collaborative - MHECare
MHEC is pleased to release a web-based animated flash video detailing its newest initiative, MHECare. In this video, five key questions will be answered:
1) Who is MHEC?
2) What is MHECare?
3) Why should I join MHECare?
4) What are the MHECare plan details?
5) How do I get a quote?
The video can be viewed in a web browser. To view the video click here. If you have any questions or would like to request a MHECare quote for your campus, please contact Jennifer Dahlquist, MHEC assistant vice president for cost savings and CFO, at 612-626-1602.
MHEC Commissioner News
MHEC welcomes new commissioner: Ms. Janie Perkins (KS).
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To sign up for MHEC e-News or update your contact information in our database, please click HERE. Midwestern Higher Education Compact | 105 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 450 | Minneapolis, MN | 55401 Tel: (612) 677-2777 or Toll Free: 1-855-767-MHEC (6432) | Fax: (612) 767-3353 | www.mhec.org |
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