Trump Targets College Accreditation Process in New Executive Order
Washington, April 24: President Donald Trump has sought to increase his control over America’s higher education institutions through a new executive order. The order targets the college accreditation process, which decides which colleges and universities can access billions of dollars in federal student loans and Pell grants. These grants are a significant revenue source for these institutions.
New Focus on College Accreditation Process
Trump’s new executive order has asked the Education Secretary to hold higher education accreditors accountable. This accountability can be enforced through denial, monitoring, suspension, or termination if accreditors engage in poor performance or violations of the Civil Rights Act.
A White House official told CNN that the order also directs the Attorney General and Education Secretary to investigate and terminate unlawful discrimination at American higher education institutions, including law schools and medical schools.
Concept of Meritocracy
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has talked about creating a “meritocracy” among universities, a common theme at the White House as it targets diversity, equity and inclusion. Trump’s Domestic Policy Council spearheaded the action, through efforts by Stephen Miller and other officials.
AI Training And Foreign Gifts
Trump signed several other executive orders Wednesday that restructure and reconfigure the Education Department. One order ensures that schools train students to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. “AI is a big deal. We are investing literally trillions of dollars in AI,” Trump said.
Another order charges departments and agencies to enforce laws about foreign gifts that go to American universities. White House staff secretary Will Scharf said universities must give disclosures for accepting large foreign gifts, which have not been effectively enforced.
Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Trump signed an order that establishes a White House initiative on Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Relationships with HBCUs were sometimes frayed during Trump’s first term and Trump’s views on funding were inconsistent.
Clash of Academic Freedom and Federal Funding
Trump’s new executive orders set up a major clash between academic freedom, federal funding and campus oversight. These actions come a week after the announcement of a $2.2 billion funding freeze for Harvard University, which creates a challenging environment for higher education institutions.
Conclusion
Trump’s new executive orders define a new era for higher education institutions, with a focus on accreditation, AI training and foreign gifts. These actions challenge the concepts of diversity and inclusion and set new compliance requirements for universities. In the coming days, it will be interesting to see how higher education institutions adapt to these new rules and regulations.
Do you think these new executive orders will be beneficial or challenging for higher education? What is your opinion?