Guidelines for Prioritizing Issues

These guidelines were developed by Helene Robertson and NAFSA staff, primarily David Fosnocht, and adopted by the Committee for Immigration Policy and Practice in 2004. When the Policy and Practice (P&P) Committee charged a task force with developing IssueNet in 2005, P&P reaffirmed the guidelines and asked the task force to ensure that data could be collected regarding breadth and depth of impact via IssueNet's Report an Issue.


Alignment with NAFSA's mission
Is the requested solution consistent with the association’s mission?

Alignment with overall public policy strategy for regulatory and legislative change
Is the requested solution or action consistent with the association’s public policy strategy?

Consistency with strategic plan and committee work plans
Does the requested solution or action fit within the strategic plan and committee work plan?

Breadth of impact
Does the problem affect a significant number of students, scholars, faculty or institutions/programs?

Depth of impact
Does the problem have egregious consequences for students, scholars, faculty or institutions/programs?

Availability of alternatives
Is the problem best addressed by a different association or by local resources?

Availability of resources
Does the association have the necessary human and financial resources to accomplish the requested solution or action?

Potential of public exposure
Is it likely that positive or negative public exposure for the association will result from pursuit of the requested solution or action?

Likelihood of success
How likely is the association to achieve the requested solution or action?