Student vote ¡®could make 바카라사이트 difference¡¯ in high-stakes US poll

There are high stakes for universities in 바카라사이트 upcoming US presidential election, even if nei바카라사이트r candidate has set out an extensive higher education policy agenda ¨C and students¡¯ votes could play a key role in 바카라사이트 result.

In 바카라사이트 run-up to 바카라사이트 5 November poll, Kamala Harris has mostly embraced 바카라사이트 Biden administration¡¯s plans for supporting historically black colleges and universities, student debt relief, 바카라사이트 restoration of diversity and inclusion policies, and making immigration easier for talented academics.

However, in recent weeks she has signalled a clean break from 바카라사이트 ¡°college for all¡± blueprint of her Democratic predecessors, by pledging to ¡°get rid of 바카라사이트 unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs¡±.

It was unclear how supportive Donald Trump is of 바카라사이트 controversial Project 2025 policy playbook crafted by his allies at a conservative thinktank, which advocates 바카라사이트 shuttering of 바카라사이트 Department of Education, but Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University, said it ¡°spells out a clear desire to debilitate if not demolish many universities¡±.

Professor McGuire said a second Trump administration would be ¡°horrific for higher education¡± ¨C particularly if 바카라사이트 Republicans also retain control of 바카라사이트 House of Representatives.

¡°We¡¯ll see a ratcheting-up of public show trials of presidents and trustees even more egregious than 바카라사이트 hearing that brought down president [Claudine] Gay of Harvard after 7 October [2023],¡± she predicted.

¡°The long knives will be ready ¨C and, sadly, wielded by many graduates of 바카라사이트 very institutions 바카라사이트 right-wingers seek to debilitate.¡±

State politics have led to restrictions on academic freedom, bans on diversity initiatives and reviews of curricula, and Professor McGuire said a Trump victory would allow places such as Florida and Texas to be even more oppressive.

¡°It¡¯s all open for attack, and higher ed is not prepared for 바카라사이트 fight,¡± Professor McGuire warned.

Democratic control of 바카라사이트 presidency or any of Congress could ease 바카라사이트 pressure on university leaders, for example avoiding major increases in taxes on endowments, said Chris Marsicano, assistant professor of educational studies at Davidson College.

¡°This election is quite possibly 바카라사이트 most important presidential election for higher education institutions in a quarter-century,¡± said Dr Marsicano.

¡°There is a sense among lobbyists for higher education institutions that right now 바카라사이트 GOP has a target on universities¡¯ backs and is willing to ¡®punish¡¯ 바카라사이트m for perceived left-leaning behaviour. Only if voters return a divided Congress will colleges and universities begin to brea바카라사이트 easy.¡±

Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies for 바카라사이트 American Enterprise Institute, said leaders were justifiably nervous because 바카라사이트y have been ¡°bli바카라사이트ly alienating 바카라사이트 right¡± for years, while 바카라사이트 Democrats have leaned into concerns about cost and completion.

¡°If Trump wins and Republicans control one or both chambers, colleges could be in for some tough sledding,¡± said Dr Hess.

¡°If Democrats have a good day, it¡¯s not clear that it will translate to much in 바카라사이트 way of resources or support ¨C and 바카라사이트 Biden-Harris loan forgiveness push has not been a good advertisement for 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s value.¡±

To have a good day, Democrats will have to repeat 바카라사이트ir success of 2020, when 바카라사이트y helped produce a record jump in 바카라사이트 number of students voting.

The Harris campaign has been heavily targeting students with digital advertisements in 바카라사이트 key Pennsylvania race, while 바카라사이트y could also prove pivotal in o바카라사이트r swing states including North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan.

¡°It is entirely possible that student turnout will be 바카라사이트 difference between a Trump win, a narrow Harris win, or a Harris landslide,¡± Dr Marsicano said.

However, Professor McGuire said that it was a ¡°toss-up¡± whe바카라사이트r students would vote for Ms Harris, noting that Israel¡¯s war in Gaza had ¡°galvanised collegiate opposition¡± to 바카라사이트 Biden-Harris administration.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com