The 2017 CECU Annual Convention & Exposition starts on Tuesday, June 6 in Las Vegas. The premier event for private sector postsecondary education, the CECU Annual Convention brings together hundreds of sector leaders and is a must attend event for members. The pre-meeting workshops, networking opportunities and 30+ education sessions offer attendees the opportunity to connect with colleagues, generate innovative ideas and partnership and meet to new members of the association and sector.

Several members of the Cooley team will be speaking during the conference. The session details for these panels are below.


Achieving More Informed, Efficient, and Effective Regulatory Relationships Across your Organization
Speaker: Vince Sampson
Tuesday, June 6
1-2 pm

Few sectors of the economy are affected by the politics and policies of the federal government more than higher education. In the highly regulated higher education sector, maintaining good relationships with the Department of Education and other regulators is critical to your long-term business success. Your aim should be for an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. Surprisingly, many organizations do not have a strategic approach to their regulatory relationships.

This session will discuss ways to engage effectively with key regulators to send a strong signal that your organization takes its regulatory obligations seriously. It will discuss the three strategies of engagement, opposition and avoidance, and when each is appropriate.


ED’s Incentive Compensation Regulations Six Years Out — What has Changed, What has not Changed, and What Could be in Store in the New Administration
Speaker: Blain Butner
Wednesday, June 7
10:30-11:30 am

It has been six years since ED overhauled the “incentive compensation” regulations.  Come to this session to learn how the implementation of these regulations has changed over the years since 2011, what remains the same, and how this important area of institutional operations could change further under the Trump Administration.  The presenters are very familiar with the evolution of the incentive compensation rules, and will be prepared to address any new developments up to the time of the CECU convention.


Government Investigations: What to Expect, How to Prepare and When to Conduct Your Own
Speaker: David Mills
Thursday, June 8
9-10 am

Proprietary schools have endured several years of intense scrutiny in the form of state and federal government investigations.  While the new Administration might ease off the gas pedal a bit, investigations by the Department of Education, Department of Justice, State AGs and other agencies are not likely to go away.  This session explores how to prepare for and handle various types of government investigations, and when and how it might be advisable to conduct your own internal investigation.


Other Cooley team members attending the conference are listed below.

We hope to see you there!

Blain Butner is a senior member and former co-leader of Cooley’s education practice group, and has been providing advice and counsel to educational institutions for 35 years.

Jonathan Glass specializes in higher education law, with concentrated emphasis on the institutional eligibility and financial responsibility requirements for institutions to participate in the Title IV federal student aid programs.

Kate Lee Carey focuses on the legal, accreditation, administrative and regulatory aspects of regionally and nationally accredited higher education institutions and companies that provide services to the education industry.

David Mills focuses on trial and appellate work and government investigations. For nearly 30 years, he has represented higher education institutions in complex commercial disputes, litigation involving federal agencies, fiduciary duty and fraud cases, whistleblower actions, privacy and class-action litigation, First Amendment cases and agency adjudications.

Vince Sampson focuses on helping clients predict, navigate and understand the increasingly complex involvement of federal agencies and Congress.

Jay Vaughan is chair of Cooley’s education practice group. He works proactively with colleges and universities, alternate content providers and innovative education companies to navigate the dynamic regulatory environment, advise on strategic planning and assist with operational opportunities.

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