Dive Brief:
- The White House Friday released a statement questioning the constitutionality of a capital loan financing program geared towards historically black colleges and universities, because it "allocates benefits on the basis of race, ethnicity [or] gender."
- The statement, made in the president's signing statement on the $1.1 trillion omnibus bill, outraged HBCU supporters in Congress and, according to reporting by Politico, "confused" leaders and advocates in the community.
- The president Sunday released a statement reaffirming his "unwavering support for HBCUs and their critical education missions," The Washington Post reported. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also released a statement late Sunday reinforcing her support and vowing to "continue to be an advocate for them and for programs that make higher education more accessible to all students."
Dive Insight:
No college president wants to sacrifice a career over political engagement, which is why many abstain, but there is a way to achieve both without damaging the institution or personal reputation.
Students, administrators and education proponents have cast a skeptical eye on this administration's commitment to serving all students, but particularly students of color and those with disabilities. There has been tremendous outcry over a February meeting in the White House with HBCU presidents, and an almost equal amount of criticism of Bethune-Cookman University administrators after an announcement that DeVos would serve as commencement speaker. But in a "skinny" budget proposal which slashed nearly everything but military spending, funding for HBCUs remained flat. While not the uptick many had hoped for following February's meeting, protected funding levels suggest the administration may have gotten the message.
The entire engagement scenario between the White House and the leaders of these institutions will surely be watched carefully even by leaders at other institutions. Putting politics aside to communicate institutional value and economic impact from City Hall to the White House may prove to be the smartest practice, as it may be critical to the survival of the institution, particularly for smaller schools threatened by low endowments and declining enrollment.
But it is just as critical to communicate clearly with alumni, board members and campus stakeholders to ensure support. Articulating goals and institutional priorities, as well as laying out plans to achieve those, is key to avoid negative PR which may turn a campus upside down.