"President Obama has put forward a thoughtful and important proposal to help students and families finance higher education. It is also a complex, multi-faceted plan, and important details remain to be unveiled. If approved by Congress, it would provide an enormous amount of money to help students and families. Colleges and universities stand ready to do everything they can to help enhance student access and completion.
Our central concern with the proposal is the likelihood that it will move decision-making in higher education from college campuses to Washington, DC. In recent years, the federal government has increasingly inserted itself in the day-to-day operations of colleges and universities, including basic academic decisions.
It is clear the administration recognizes that colleges and universities play a vital role in economic recovery and expansion—this is perhaps the defining issue of our time. As President Obama noted in his speech, 'There is no greater predictor of success than education.' We strongly agree. We are committed to working with the administration and Congress to make certain that affordable, high-quality higher education is available to all Americans and that colleges and universities are accountable for every dollar they receive."
MEDIA CONTACT: Erin Hennessy ▪ 202-939-9367 ▪ EHennessy@acenet.edu