Presidential Opinion

David Wippman, president of Hamilton College (NY), and Glenn C. Altschuler, Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies at Cornell University (NY), write:  President Biden’s recent student loan forgiveness program has triggered a robust debate, much of it premised on the assumption that Americans should judge a college degree and a student’s major on a single criterion: How much money will the graduate make and what will be the return on investment?
 

Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University (DC), writes: Academic freedom is being voted on in the midterm elections, but you wouldn’t know it from the gags muzzling the voices of college presidents. Too many leaders have taken a vow of silence when it comes to addressing difficult issues in American life, even those that directly threaten the academy, our students, and faculty. The implications for the future of higher education and this nation are dire if we presidents fail to break out of our posture of self-censorship and take our rightful places in the bully pulpit.
 

S. Georgia Nugent, president of Associated Colleges of Illinois and president of Illinois Wesleyan University, writes:  Illinois’ private, independent colleges are "a hidden gem" for the state. Illinois is one of only five states to boast more than 50 independent colleges. The state's private, independent colleges and universities enroll a larger number of students than the state’s public universities (204,000 vs. 185,000 students). As president of the Associated Colleges of Illinois, an association of 26 institutions, I believe it is vital for Illinois citizens to understand the strengths of these colleges and universities, particularly in light of many widespread misunderstandings about higher education.

Suzanne M. Rivera, president of Macalester College (MN), writes: The Biden administration’s recent decision regarding student loan repayment relief is welcome news to many borrowers. Yet, amid the fierce debate over whether millions of Americans should have their debt reduced or forgiven, we must not lose sight of what should be our overarching goal: more college access for more students who want a degree. Members of the higher education community owe it to students to help them better understand their options for paying for college, including prudent borrowing. 

Hampshire’s attempted recovery comes at a time of intense concern about private nonprofit colleges, which are facing severe financial pressures. Higher Ed Dive spoke with Ed Wingenbach, who was named Hampshire’s president in August 2019, about the college’s rebuilding efforts and what other institutions can learn from its experience.