Key Takeaways:
– The Biden-Harris administration’s enforcement actions have largely targeted Christian institutions, says the American Principles Project (APP).
– Despite representing less than 10% of the student population, these institutions accounted for almost 75% of the Department of Education’s punishment tactics.
– Faith-based learning institutions like Grand Canyon University and Liberty University are fighting record-level fines.
– Potentially unjust assault on Christian institutes must cease, insists the AP.
– The Biden-Harris administration comes under criticism for its stance on ‘predatory schools’.
– GCU recently emerged victorious in a legal battle concerning its non-profit status.
Massive Fines Against Christian Colleges:
Education in America could be seen as a battlefield where ideologies often clash. Recently, the Biden-Harris administration has come under fire for its stringent enforcement actions against numerous Christian institutions. Grand Canyon University and Liberty University are only a few amongst many collegial institutes facing this educational onslaught. They were hit with fines that surpassed the total penalties summed up over the past seven years.
Christian colleges represented only 10% of US students. Yet, they bore the brunt of the Department of Education’s punishment strategies, making up nearly 75% of the targets. These schools are battling unprecedented legal and financial challenges, shedding light on a potentially biased education agenda.
Allegations of Predatory Practices:
The Biden-Harris administration, with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at its helm, vowed to counter ‘predatory schools’ accused of exploiting first-generation students. Grand Canyon University has been named as one such institution. However, they refute these allegations and are currently appealing a hefty $37.7 million fine imposed by the Department of Education.
Egregious Penalties and Bans:
Many Christian colleges, like Grand Canyon University, find themselves at odds with the current administration. They face not only financial penalties but are also at risk of being banned from receiving federal student aid. The average fine for a violation of the Clery Act against a Christian school was a staggering $815,000, in stark contrast to the $228,571 imposed on non-religious institutions.
The Biden-Harris administration maintains that religious affiliations do not influence their enforcement actions. Nevertheless, critics, advocates, and affected institutions argue that these statistics point to a different narrative.
Grand Canyon’s Legal Triumph:
In a controversial twist, Grand Canyon University recently enjoyed a significant legal win over the Department of Education. Despite receiving approval as a nonprofit from the Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education, Internal Revenue Service, State of Arizona, and the Higher Learning Commission, the Department of Education declined GCU’s nonprofit status. However, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled in favor of the Christian institution, stating that the Department of Education had unjustly applied an incorrect standard in determining the university’s nonprofit status.
Final Thoughts:
The current administration is set to lose its primary power in a few weeks, offering a respite to these struggling institutions. The excessive, often crippling fines and threats of federal funding cuts have placed undue strain on the Christian colleges. It is with hope that the incoming administration will reassess these measures, ensuring a fair and progressive educational environment that respects all schools, regardless of philosophical or religious leanings.
As the experiences of Grand Canyon and Liberty University reflect, faith-based institutions are not backing down. They challenge what they see as unjust and excessive enforcement and continue to fight for their respected standing within the educational sector. As the torch of power passes onto another administration, one can only hope for a more balanced approach to education enforcement, inclusive of all religious and non-religious institutions in America.