The Political War over America鈥檚 Colleges and Universities
For generations, higher education was a bipartisan issue closely tied to the American dream. Recently, it’s become a center of political controversy.
Over the past 10 years, according to Gallup polling, public confidence in colleges and universities has dropped 21 points. In their latest poll on this subject, conducted last year, 68% of U.S. adults said higher education is going in the wrong direction.
While erosion of confidence is evident among supporters of both political parties, the drop among Republicans was steepest––from 56% to 20%, a 36-point decline. Among Democrats, the drop was 12 points, and among independents, 13 points. These changes are fueling current attacks on college and university funding.
“Of Americans who lack confidence in higher education,” said Gallup’s analysis, “41% mention colleges being ‘too liberal,’ trying to ‘indoctrinate’ or ‘brainwash’ students, or not allowing students to think for themselves as reasons for their opinions.”
Gallup also explained that 37% of those surveyed were “critical of higher education for not teaching relevant skills, for college degrees not meaning much, or for graduates not being able to find employment.” Other problems cited ranged from cost and quality concerns to admissions bias and poor management.
A new Economist/YouGov survey finds that higher education has become dangerously politicized, like so many other institutions in our society. An example of how this manifests itself: 64% of Democrats, 34% of independents, and 14% of Republicans are opposed to taking away Harvard University’s tax-exempt status.
It should be noted that 63% of conservatives view Harvard as liberal and only 7% of liberals view it as conservative.
Even though slightly more U.S. voters would rather increase than decrease U.S. government funding for universities (31% vs. 28%), percentages for each are rather low. But partisan lines on this question run deep: 51% of Democrats support increased spending, while only 18% of Republicans and 32% of independents do.
Divisions are apparent on a host of related issues. Liberals are five times more likely than conservatives to believe race should be a factor in college admissions. Six times more Republicans than Democrats think colleges and universities are doing too much to ensure student body diversity. Americans 65 and older are twice more likely than 18-29-year-olds to see campus anti-Semitism as a serious problem.
Here’s a data point that will please big state schools: A robust 74% of voters across the country feel favorably toward their own state’s flagship university. Majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents agree. A major reason for this: Most voters don’t view these schools as ideologically extreme; only 9% see them as very liberal and only 2% see them as very conservative.
What can higher education do to earn greater public confidence?
First, show they’re using money wisely––including tax dollars, grants, endowments, and tuition income. It was reported that federal departments last year awarded nearly $400 billion in grants and contracts to colleges and universities. Are these operations efficient? Are the bureaucracies too big and bloated? What are the results?
Second, refuse grants and donations that may compromise academic independence. When universities are seen as agents for governments and special interests, they lose credibility. Universities that create the appearance of siding with political causes and ideological movements shouldn’t be surprised when opposition forces react negatively.
Third, strengthen STEM (scientific, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. Overall, 64% of voters want universities to focus more on these fields. That’s much higher than the 34% who want more focus on humanities and social sciences. Polling shows that 66% of Republicans, as well as solid majorities of Democrats and independents, favor more attention to STEM.
Fourth, spotlight students. The primary mission of higher education can’t be allowed to get lost in the haze of fundraising and grant-seeking. In terms of degree-granting post-secondary institutions, enrollment has fallen every year since 2010. Colleges and universities need more focus on enriching the lives and supporting the careers of students––and need to be held accountable for these practical measures.
The drawing of partisan lines around higher education is weakening public confidence in this critical institution––adding one more jagged rip to an already divided nation.
