Alabama’s public university presidents are considering a joint response to seven questions from U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon about college admissions, academic freedom, affordability and other higher education issues.
During a Monday meeting of the Alabama Council of College and University Presidents in Montgomery, Athens State University President Catherine Wehlburg asked whether universities should respond individually or if a statewide response had been considered.
Jim Purcell, executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, offered to prepare a draft for university leaders to review as early as next week.
Joint response
Purcell said Jacksonville State University and the University of North Alabama have already responded individually, but he welcomed the idea of a joint response.
“I think that’ll have the greater impact,” Purcell said after the meeting.
McMahon sent the questions to college and university presidents and governing boards nationwide on Aug. 3, asking them to publicly explain how they are addressing concerns about higher education.
The questions cover admissions based on merit, free speech, different viewpoints on campus, college affordability, academic standards in the age of artificial intelligence, foreign influence on university research and programs that meet national workforce and security needs.
Colleges have until the end of the year to respond, although participation is voluntary.
Stepped-up pressure
The request comes as the White House has stepped up pressure on colleges and universities, investigating admissions practices, challenging diversity programs and canceling federal research grants.
The administration has also moved some Education Department responsibilities to other federal agencies and changed the rules governing college accreditation.
McMahon’s questions follow an unsuccessful effort last year by the Trump administration to persuade universities to change campus policies in exchange for preferential access to federal funding.
Several universities rejected that proposal. According to Inside Higher Ed, the Education Department worked with university leaders to develop the seven questions as a different approach.
Jacksonville State University has published answers to all seven questions on its website.
Most of its answers describe policies already in place, including admissions requirements, free speech protections, academic standards and efforts to help students succeed.
Reviewing proposed policy
The university also said it is reviewing a proposed policy to protect university research from foreign influence.
Florida’s public universities and state colleges issued a joint response in August, as did the University of North Carolina System.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
Share with others: