Trump’s Executive Orders Targeting College Accreditation and Schools’ Equity Efforts
Introduction to the Executive Orders
WASHINGTON — President Trump has ordered sharper scrutiny of America’s colleges and the accreditors that oversee them, part of his escalating campaign to end what he calls “wokeness ” and diversity efforts in education.
In a series of executive actions signed Wednesday, Trump targeted universities that he views as liberal adversaries to his political agenda. One order called for harder enforcement of a federal law requiring colleges to disclose their financial ties with foreign sources, while another called for a shake-up of the accrediting bodies that decide whether colleges can accept federal financial aid awarded to students.
Colleges’ Financial Ties with Foreign Sources
Background and Concerns
Colleges’ financial ties with foreign sources have long been a concern among Republicans, especially ties with China and other countries with adversarial relationships with the U.S. It became a priority during Trump’s first term and reemerged last week as the White House grasped for leverage in its escalating battle with Harvard University.
Enforcement of Disclosure Law
The White House said it needed to take action because Harvard and other colleges have routinely violated a federal disclosure law, which has been unevenly enforced since it was passed in the 1980s. Known as Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, the law requires colleges to disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more.
Action Against Violating Colleges
In the executive order, Trump calls on the Education Department and the attorney general to step up enforcement of the law and take action against colleges that violate it, including a cutoff of federal money.
Accrediting Bodies and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirements
Overhauling the Accrediting Industry
Another order aims at accrediting bodies that set standards colleges must meet to accept federal financial aid from students. Trump campaigned on a promise to overhaul the industry, saying it was “dominated by Marxist Maniacs and lunatics.”
Role of Accreditors in Shaping Colleges
Often overlooked as an obscure branch of college oversight, accreditors play an important role in shaping colleges in many aspects, with standards that apply all the way from colleges’ governing boards to classroom curriculum.
Trump’s Priorities for Accrediting Bodies
Trump’s executive order is the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy battle to overhaul the accrediting industry. Chief among his priorities is to strip accreditors of diversity, equity and inclusion requirements imposed on colleges. Some accreditors have already dropped or stopped enforcing such standards amid Trump’s DEI crackdown.
Suspension or Termination of Accreditors
Trump’s order calls on the government to suspend or terminate accreditors that discriminate in the name of DEI. Instead, it calls on accreditors to focus more squarely on the student outcomes of colleges and programs they oversee.
Making Accreditation More Competitive
The president wants to make it easier for new accreditors to compete with the 19 that are now authorized to work on behalf of the federal government. As it stands, new accreditors looking to be recognized by the government must undergo an arduous process that traditionally takes years. Trump’s order said it should be “transparent, efficient, and not unduly burdensome.”
Reaction to the Executive Orders
“Instead of pushing schools to adopt a divisive DEI ideology, accreditors should be focused on helping schools improve graduation rates and graduates’ performance in the labor market,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
Conclusion
The executive orders signed by President Trump mark a significant shift in the approach to college accreditation and diversity efforts in education. By targeting colleges’ financial ties with foreign sources and aiming to overhaul the accrediting industry, Trump’s administration seeks to reshape the higher education landscape in the United States.
FAQs
- Q: What is the main focus of Trump’s executive orders regarding college accreditation?
A: The main focus is on enforcing disclosure of colleges’ financial ties with foreign sources and overhauling the accrediting industry to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements. - Q: Why are colleges’ financial ties with foreign sources a concern?
A: There are concerns that countries like China might exploit these ties for research and to indoctrinate students, posing a risk to national security and academic integrity. - Q: How do accrediting bodies impact colleges?
A: Accreditors set standards for colleges to meet to accept federal financial aid, influencing aspects from governance to curriculum. - Q: What changes does Trump propose for accrediting bodies?
A: Trump proposes to strip accreditors of diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements and to make the accreditation process more competitive and focused on student outcomes. - Q: How might these changes affect colleges and students?
A: These changes could lead to a shift in how colleges approach diversity and inclusion and might impact the availability of federal financial aid, potentially affecting student access to higher education.
