Concerns Raised Over Lack of Enforcement of Foreign Funding Law in US Colleges
Foreign Funding in American Colleges and Universities: A Call for Increased Transparency and Accountability
Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos says there's little evidence that the Biden administration is enforcing the law on foreign funding for colleges and universities, according to a phone interview with The Daily Signal. Learn more about her thoughts on the issue and the enforcement of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Foreign Funding in American Colleges and Universities: A Call for Increased Transparency and Accountability
February 8, 2023 - As per the Higher Education Act of 1965, colleges and universities are required to report any foreign funding, gifts, or contracts with a value of $250,000 or more in a calendar year. Despite this requirement, former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos claims that the Biden administration is not enforcing this law and has simply “acquiesced” to the requests of colleges and universities to keep their funding hidden.
According to DeVos, during her time as Secretary of Education, she launched 12 investigations into colleges and universities who were not complying with this law, which resulted in the discovery of more than $6.5 billion in previously unreported foreign money, mainly from countries like Russia, China, and the Middle East. She also pointed out that while she was in office, the Department of Education last sent a notice of investigation and records request in January 2021.
However, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, says that the Biden administration is simply returning to Obama-era levels of enforcement of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and that their termination of investigations into foreign funding indicates their lack of concern for foreign influence in the post-secondary education system.
The allegations made by DeVos and others raise important questions about the role of foreign funding in American colleges and universities and the need for increased transparency and accountability in this regard. It is also crucial for the government to ensure that these institutions are not being influenced by foreign entities, especially those that may have opposing political or ideological views.
As these institutions play a critical role in shaping the minds of future leaders and conduct cutting-edge research that can have far-reaching impacts, it is imperative that they are free from any undue foreign influence. The Biden administration should take these concerns seriously and take steps to enforce the law on foreign funding in colleges and universities, to ensure that they remain a beacon of impartial knowledge and independent thought.
Moreover, the Biden Center at the University of Pennsylvania has received $50 million in funding from China, which has raised questions about the influence of foreign entities in the post-secondary education system. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., has pointed out that the Biden Center has received $14 million in anonymous Chinese donations since Biden took office, and that the White House’s failure to enforce restrictions on malign Chinese influence may lead to an investigation into the President of the United States.
It is vital for the government to ensure that foreign funding is not being used to influence the research and academic programs of American colleges and universities. The American people deserve to know the extent of foreign influence on their post-secondary education system and the government must take all necessary steps to ensure that this influence is kept in check.
In conclusion, the allegations made by former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and others about the lack of enforcement of the law on foreign funding in American colleges and universities raises important questions about transparency and accountability in this regard. The Biden administration must take these concerns seriously and enforce the law on foreign funding to ensure that American colleges and universities remain independent and free from any undue foreign influence.