Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, has been vocal about his disdain for the higher education system in the United States. In a speech titled “The Universities are the Enemy,” Vance criticized the system for perpetuating deceit and lies, and for serving the interests of cosmopolitan elites at the expense of everyday Americans.
Vance’s critique of higher education goes beyond the typical conservative complaints about the cost and effectiveness of universities. He argues that the system is fundamentally flawed and that it needs to be transformed. Vance has proposed several policies to address these issues, including dismantling the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda in the federal government and establishing a special inspector to monitor for racial discrimination in college admissions.
If Republicans win the House and Senate, it’s possible that Vance’s legislation could be passed and extended to institutions of higher education. Additionally, a properly staffed Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education could issue compliance review investigations to signal an intent to defund colleges that maintain DEI administrative positions and pursue anti-white and anti-Asian admissions policies.
Vance has also proposed raising the tax on investment income from 1.4 to 35% for universities with endowments of over $10 billion dollars. Trump has proposed an even more aggressive measure, which would monitor universities for civil rights violations and issue penalties of up to the entire endowment.
One of the most radical and consequential reforms proposed by Trump is the idea of firing existing college accreditors and replacing them with new accreditors with new priorities. This could be done through administrative action, without the need for new legislation. Trump has suggested that these new accreditors could mandate entrance and exit exams, which would challenge the notion that American universities build significant knowledge or skills.
The new accreditors could also dismantle DEI, rein in administrative bloat, and force colleges to offer accelerated and low-cost tracks. Additionally, they could break up the accreditation cartel that prevents new institutions from receiving federal funding and makes it difficult for new universities to be established.
Trump’s proposal to blow up the accreditation system and allow federal aid to flow to non-college postsecondary institutions could create a more inclusive and effective education system. This plan would likely face significant opposition from college professors and presidents, but it could ultimately make America a better and more just country.
Vance has argued that the current system is unfair and that it requires citizens to spend four years of their life, go deep into debt, and be taught to hate their country in order to access the middle class. By creating a more diverse and inclusive education system, the Trump-Vance administration could provide Americans with more options and opportunities to acquire the skills they need to succeed.
