What College Leaders Expect from Trump and Harris

The American Council on Education, a major lobbying group representing the higher education sector, wants the next president to repeal the gift tax on wealthy universities and take action to increase the Pell Grant from $7,395 to $13,000, in part to make college more affordable.

“Once in office, the next administration will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of tens of millions of students, workers, and educators,” ACE President Ted Mitchell wrote in a memo sent to the Trump and Harris campaigns this week. “All of American higher education stands ready to partner with you to build a stronger and more equitable America through our thousands of colleges and universities.”

Former President Donald Trump has given few details about his plans for higher education. He has said he wants to fire accreditors to reclaim colleges from the “radical left,” create a free national online college and eliminate the Education Department.

Vice President Kamala Harris has said little about her higher education agenda since becoming the Democratic nominee last month. Experts expect her to continue the Biden administration’s efforts to make college more affordable, forgive student loans and protect students from bad actors. Harris’ campaign website touts investments made under Biden in historically black colleges and universities, as well as recent increases in Pell Grants.

In addition to streamlining the visa process for international students and providing new funding for student mental health, ACE wants the next administration to clarify how colleges can comply with Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational settings. The Biden and Trump administrations have issued their own versions of Title IX regulations, which has led to confusing conversations between institutions.

Title IX isn’t the only federal civil rights statute drawing attention. Last year, the Education Department stepped up enforcement of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, after a rise in reports of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on college campuses. The Biden administration has said regulations detailing colleges’ responsibilities under Title VI will be released this year.

“We demand that any actions by the next administration to address Title VI or free speech on campus do not undermine the university’s efforts to support free speech and fulfill its institutional legal obligations to provide a safe educational environment free from unlawful discrimination,” ACE wrote.