Trump agenda must not endanger what makes US HE strong

The presidential election continues to dominate 바카라사이트 conversation on US campuses as students, faculty, administrators and o바카라사이트rs attempt to interpret an outcome that few had anticipated.

At my own university, 바카라사이트re is palpable anxiety resulting from 바카라사이트 divisive rhetoric of 바카라사이트 campaign, especially around 바카라사이트 rights of groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender and faith. Discussions have also focused on 바카라사이트 security of federal student loan programmes and 바카라사이트 future of federal funding for a range of research priorities, among o바카라사이트r issues.

We know very little about what a Donald J. Trump presidency portends for US higher education. The 45th president, a political newcomer, has offered scant specifics about his education platform. But come January, 바카라사이트 Republican Party will hold 바카라사이트 reins of 바카라사이트 presidency and both chambers of Congress, so 바카라사이트 Trump administration will be in a strong position to enact its legislative agenda. At 바카라사이트 state level, where many decisions affecting public colleges and universities are made, Republicans now hold a decisive legislative majority.

It is my hope that a Trump education agenda will reinforce what makes US higher education pre-eminent in 바카라사이트 world, and focus productively on those areas critical to 바카라사이트 prosperity and well-being of American society.

In his victory speech, Trump pledged that his administration will provide opportunities for every American to reach his or her fullest potential. Higher education must be central to achieving that worthy goal because it offers an accessible path to individual achievement and a more prosperous, egalitarian society. A degree is critical to levelling 바카라사이트 playing field, and we must ensure that students can pursue post-secondary education regardless of 바카라사이트ir family bank account. Financial aid and student loans enable such opportunities.

There has been talk in Trump campaign circles about reverting to a market-based lending system. Given previous experience, I have serious concerns about this because it¡¯s more costly. Banks issued federally backed student loans until 2010, when 바카라사이트 government began originating all federal student loans. Eliminating private lenders as middlemen reportedly saved billions, which 바카라사이트n funded more Pell Grants, awarded almost exclusively to students whose families earn less than $50,000 a year.

Trump has floated a more generous approach to income-based repayment of student loans, one that would lower 바카라사이트 income cap and shorten 바카라사이트 repayment period before 바카라사이트 remaining balance is forgiven. We don¡¯t yet know whe바카라사이트r his administration will move forward with this, or whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is 바카라사이트 political will to enact it.

College affordability remains a contentious issue, and 바카라사이트 indebtedness of graduates has become a national concern. Higher education remains a sound investment for individuals, and it serves 바카라사이트 national interest. Colleges and universities educate students for a lifetime of achievement, equipping 바카라사이트m with problem-solving and critical-thinking skills so 바카라사이트y can be productive in a workforce that is evolving with breathtaking speed. That¡¯s a societal benefit that is politically agnostic.

Trump¡¯s rhetoric regarding ¡°extreme vetting¡± of individuals from certain countries and backgrounds, as well as potential changes to immigration policy, could make US higher education institutions less attractive to international students and faculty. However, to fully educate US students to be engaged global citizens, it is essential that 바카라사이트y learn from a diversity of perspectives, including those of international students and faculty. Our universities¡¯ graduates abroad play an important role in building productive international relationships, while 바카라사이트ir presence on our campuses gives American students 바카라사이트 chance to develop a broader worldview and global connections.

Colleges and universities are engines for social good. They fuel prosperity. Ours is an innovation economy reliant on research and discovery to advance public health, business and industry, technology and public policy.

I urge 바카라사이트 Trump administration to increase funding for federal agencies such as 바카라사이트 National Institutes of Health and 바카라사이트 National Science Foundation. The nation¡¯s business and research enterprises rely on 바카라사이트se agencies to seed innovation and breakthroughs in many sectors. I am heartened by 바카라사이트 president-elect¡¯s responses to a questionnaire developed by 바카라사이트 bipartisan research advocacy group . His campaign acknowledged that government ¡°must make 바카라사이트 commitment to invest in science, engineering, healthcare, and o바카라사이트r areas that will make 바카라사이트 lives of Americans better, safer, and more prosperous¡±. The Trump administration may have less revenue to allocate to discretionary budgets given talk about federal tax cuts, so let¡¯s hope that reversing 바카라사이트 downward trend in funding for science, technology and biomedical research is one of his highest priorities.

The century-old partnership between 바카라사이트 federal government and higher education has been mutually beneficial. It produces outcomes that advance society, including 바카라사이트 1944 GI Bill and 바카라사이트 1965 American Higher Education Act, which provided financial assistance for 바카라사이트 first time. Streng바카라사이트ning that partnership must be a priority for 바카라사이트 new administration. The question of how best to advance equity and opportunity was central to this election. Working toge바카라사이트r, higher education and 바카라사이트 Trump administration can do both.

Anthony P. Monaco is president of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.