WASHINGTON – It’s interesting how some Republicans are approaching the regulation of colleges across the country.

On one hand, conservatives advocate for limited government intervention and fewer regulations. In 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, to “alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens.” Prior to his re-election campaign, Trump even suggested dismantling the Education Department entirely.

Conversely, Republicans are increasingly vocal about their concerns over perceived “liberal indoctrination” in higher education, proposing major reforms that may necessitate increased government involvement rather than less.

For example, the president-elect has proposed a tuition-free university system funded by taxes on the wealthiest institutions. Some fellow party members are advocating for federal intervention to limit diversity and inclusion initiatives while also addressing antisemitism on campuses. A range of ambitious GOP-backed bills in Congress aims to redefine the student loan system and combat “wokeness” in the academic environment, which would significantly alter the landscape of higher education.

As the Republican Party prepares to wield complete control over Washington starting January 20, their vision for reforming higher education seems to clash with their overall objective of reducing federal power. Implementing substantial changes might be challenging, given the narrow margins in Congress and recent Supreme Court rulings that limit government influence. However, all signs point to an impending new phase of college oversight.

“Our responsibility is to shed light on what goes on in our colleges,” Rep. Virginia Foxx, the departing chair of the House education committee, stated in an interview with YSL News this week. “That’s the essence of oversight.”

Nonetheless, Foxx aligns with Trump’s stance on minimizing federal overreach.

“It’s going to be tough to reduce the federal government’s involvement in education,” she acknowledged.

Leading this initiative will be Linda McMahon, selected by the president-elect as his nominee for Education Secretary (the same agency he has proposed eliminating). A close Trump confidante and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, she previously directed the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term.

While McMahon lacks extensive experience in education compared to typical appointees for the role, Trump stated that she would bring a “rich understanding of both Education and Business” to the position.

“We will return Education BACK TO THE STATES,” Trump announced in a social media post, “and Linda will lead that initiative.”

Diverse Republican Perspectives on Higher Education

According to Andy Smarick, a senior fellow at the conservative think tank Manhattan Institute, there are two contrasting visions that may influence how the newly empowered Republican Party will address higher education policy.

One vision focuses on minimizing federal involvement in education as much as possible. If Trump adopts this approach, he could restrict the Education Department’s capacity to impose regulations and provide guidance, or he might pursue his goal of abolishing the department altogether (though experts suggest this effort may face significant hurdles in Congress, even with a Republican majority).

The alternative approach, as noted by Smarick, could involve implementing more conservative regulations.

“Historically, Republicans have favored the first option,” he said. “However, it seems Donald Trump may diverge from that tradition.”

Civil Rights Oversight and Student Loan Policies at Risk of Alteration

During Trump’s initial term, the Education Department rolled back numerous regulations established during the Obama administration and introduced its revised policies. One significant change involved Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in institutions receiving federal assistance. Under Betsy DeVos, Trump’s original education secretary, the department raised the threshold of evidence required for investigations, which led many to argue that it favored the rights of individuals accused of sexual misconduct.

Under President Joe Biden, the agency reversed these policies, aiming to broaden the definition of sex-based misconduct to encompass discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These new guidelines have faced legal challenges in several states, putting them on hold.

Shiwali Patel, who served as an attorney in the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights during the Obama era and later resigned during Trump’s presidency, expressed concern regarding the GOP’s plans for the department she once worked for.

“They clearly have an agenda to reverse any advancements made under the Biden administration concerning Title IX,” she stated, “and to further leverage Title IX to discriminate against students.”

If Trump proceeds with revoking the Biden administration’s guidance, students identifying as LGBTQ+ and those experiencing sexual misconduct may feel less secure at various campuses, warned Brendan Cantwell, a higher education professor at Michigan State University.

“You may feel that your campus is offering you less protection,” he mentioned.

Potential significant changes to the federal student loan system may occur in Trump’s second term. While Biden has approved billions in relief for students across the nation, his efforts to introduce new repayment programs and modify current ones have faced numerous legal challenges.

Experts suggest that the new administration might reverse or downsize some of these initiatives, as noted by Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

“There are various ways to eliminate a program,” she pointed out. “One can simply stop prioritizing it.”

Changes to Student Loan Borrowing May Be Voted On

The exact impact of a Republican-controlled government on higher education remains ambiguous. However, some Washington analysts are looking at a conservative proposal introduced by North Carolina Congresswoman Foxx earlier this year for insights.

This substantial 224-page College Cost Reduction Act aims to implement substantial and potentially contentious reforms to the higher education sector. The initiatives proposed in this legislation include stricter limits on student loan borrowing and a requirement for colleges to co-sign loans. Critics argue that this could restrict access to college for certain groups and increase debt for many Americans, while Foxx and her fellow Republicans claim it would lead to a fairer system and ease the burden on taxpayers.

Foxx stated that she is in talks with congressional leaders about possibly bringing the bill to a House vote by the end of the year.