•   Spellings Commission on the Future of Higher Education Releases Draft Report

The work of the Spellings Commission is beginning to take on new urgency, and I want to update you on our deliberations.

Late last week, Chairman Charles Miller sent members of the commission a preliminary draft report, including recommendations, which will serve as the basis for a meeting on June 28 in Washington. The meeting and the report were initially intended to be confidential, but the Department of Education has concluded that the draft report must be made public to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. It is possible that the meeting itself will be made open to the public, but that is not yet clear as I write this update.   

You have likely read some press reports that characterize the draft as a formal document reflecting the input of commission members—nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is this draft was prepared by commission staff based on a highly selective reading of testimony and without the slightest input of commission members. I find this extremely frustrating because the draft in no way reflects the candid and creative discussions we have had during our yearlong process. 

The draft report is now public. I believe it is seriously flawed and needs significant revision. I am particularly unhappy with the tone and the hostile, almost confrontational, way it approaches higher education. Some of the recommendations are also deeply troubling.

Members of the commission have been in constant contact by e-mail, and I know many others object to the tone and the way that evidence is selectively employed. So it is quite likely that this document will change—and may change considerably from this initial draft.

Still, I must say that I am deeply disappointed. It remains to be seen whether the commission can successfully complete a report that accurately describes the state of American higher education and fairly summarizes the challenges we face in the areas of access, affordability and accountability.

I have repeatedly emphasized to the members of the commission that—based on conversations with you and many other higher education leaders—the vast majority of college and university presidents are willing, even anxious, to tackle these issues in an active and constructive way. However, I have also emphasized that if the commission's report is to stimulate such efforts, it needs to be a fair and evenhanded document that candidly addresses both the strengths and weaknesses of higher education. This draft fails that critical test.

I am committed to continuing my work on the commission because I believe there are important public policy issues that need to be addressed, and I am anxious to work with all parties in this regard if possible. Secretary Spellings has been honest and direct as we have moved this effort forward. I sincerely hope the commission will produce a report that I will be able to sign, and I will work diligently to that end. But it goes without saying I will not sign a report I believe is inaccurate, misleading or likely to undermine colleges and universities. We will just have to see what the future brings.

Because of a long-planned family reunion, I am in the United Kingdom and will be unable to participate in the meeting on June 28. However, I have sent extensive comments on the report—both a summary memo outlining my general concerns plus a detailed list of specific reservations.

I am sure that the state of play will change over the next week and I will update you when I have more information to share.

David Ward,
President of ACE

**** For further information and complete updates, please visit ACE's web site at http://www.acenet.edu.