Who is Driving the Legislative Changes Affecting Higher Education

A lot of changes have been happening in higher education recently. Most of these changes are due to laws made by government leaders. These laws can affect what you can study, where you can study, and even how you pay for your education. But who is really behind these new laws and why are they making these changes?

A Tale of Two Sectors

First, let's talk about the different types of colleges and universities. Some are private, and some are public. Private colleges are funded mostly by tuition and donations. These schools are independent and can make their own rules. Public colleges, on the other hand, are funded mostly by tax money. They are directly linked to the government, which can affect what they do and how they do it.

Recently, there have been many new laws that affect these public colleges. The people making these laws are often not educators themselves. Instead, they are politicians who may have other motivations. These laws can affect everything from what classes you can take to how you can pay for school.

Identity Politics Influence on the Laws

One key factor driving many of these changes is something called identity politics. Identity politics refers to when people form political alliances based on a particular aspect of their identity, such as their race, religion, or sexual orientation. Politicians often use these identities to get support for their policies, including policies that affect higher education.

The Role of Corporations

Corporations also play a big role in these changes. Many corporations donate money to politicians and they can use this influence to affect higher education policy. They might want colleges to focus more on certain skills that could benefit their business. They might also want to limit the power of faculty and student voices in decision-making processes at colleges. This can lead to a more corporate model of education, with less focus on critical thinking and more on job-specific skills.

What This Means for You?

As a student, it's important for you to be aware of these changes and their potential impact. The laws that are being made can affect your education in big ways. They can change what you are allowed to study, how much it costs, and even where you can study. Paying attention to these changes can help you make the best decisions for your higher education journey.