Republican Governors and the Remaking of Higher Education: A Politicized Landscape

The American higher education system is facing a new wave of scrutiny and reform efforts, driven in large part by Republican governors who are increasingly leveraging education policy as a tool to energize their base and potentially launch presidential bids. This article examines the evolving landscape of higher education under Republican leadership, highlighting the key issues, the political motivations behind them, and the potential long-term consequences for colleges and universities across the nation.

The Shifting Sands of Higher Education Funding

State funding for higher education has been in decline for decades, a trend often attributed to macroeconomic cycles, as described by the "balance wheel hypothesis." This hypothesis suggests that funding drops during economic downturns and recovers somewhat during boom times. However, a more nuanced understanding is emerging, one that considers the role of political partisanship, particularly the growing hostility within the Republican Party toward independent institutions like higher education.

The Balance Wheel Hypothesis

For over two decades, this hypothesis has been a cornerstone of state higher education policy analysis in the United States. States have many demands on their coffers, including health care, K-12 education, corrections, and other entitlement programs. Higher education can replace vanishing state support with tuition income. For decades, these dynamics made spending on higher education the "balance wheel" of state budgets. The balance wheel hypothesis held up to robust empirical scrutiny over time.

Republican Hostility and its Impact

This hostility could lead to deep funding cuts in Republican-controlled states regardless of prevailing macroeconomic conditions. Republican-dominated states have tended to provide lower levels of state support than did Democratic or divided governments. Further, in Republican states lower levels of spending often appeared to target certain communities or institutional missions. Relative to their Democratic counterparts, states with Republican governors tended to provide less generous funding to colleges and universities that drew a large share of their enrollments from racially minoritized communities. Republicans may prefer lower levels of higher education funding for reasons related to the party’s hostility to independent institutions such as higher education.

The Rise of Politicized Education Agendas

Several Republican governors, including Ron DeSantis of Florida, Greg Abbott of Texas, and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, have been actively shaping the higher education landscape in their respective states. These efforts are often seen as attempts to appeal to the conservative base and gain national attention, potentially paving the way for presidential runs.

Ron DeSantis: A Pioneer of Conservative Education Reform

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has emerged as a prominent figure in the conservative education reform movement. He has maintained a ubiquitous media presence in recent months, with higher education being central to that agenda. His administration has sought data related to transgender health care at public universities, part of a broader battle over LGBTQ+ rights in Florida that includes restrictions on content related to sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 classrooms. DeSantis has maintained a ubiquitous media presence in recent months. Higher education has been central to that agenda. For his efforts, DeSantis has been denounced by the American Association of University Professors, the American Historical Association and various other academic groups. DeSantis enjoys strong support within the state Legislature, which is expected to enact his agenda with backing from fellow Republicans.

Greg Abbott: Following Suit in Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has adopted a similar political posture, leading many to speculate about his own presidential aspirations. When DeSantis took aim at DEI efforts in Florida, Abbott did the same, issuing a memo to state institutions warning that using DEI policies in hiring is an illegal practice. That prompted many state universities to cease using such initiatives, and some even publicly denounced them. By contrast, Suri points out the Texas governor historically has less sway in his state Legislature, which tends to have more independent lawmakers and a more powerful, independently elected lieutenant governor.

Glenn Youngkin: A More Subtle Approach in Virginia

In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin has taken a somewhat more subtle approach. Though he narrowly scored an election victory in his gubernatorial campaign-thanks in part to voters angered by school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and keen on more parental control over the K-12 curriculum-Youngkin’s tactics have been less ferocious than those of his potential primary opponents. Youngkin has similarly gone after transgender students, announcing policies that would allow them to access only those school facilities and programs that match the sex they were assigned at birth. And in Virginia, Youngkin is the first Republican governor elected since 2010.

The Focus on DEI and "Divisive Concepts"

A key area of focus for these Republican governors has been Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education. They have sought to restrict or eliminate DEI programs, arguing that they promote divisive ideologies and discriminate against certain groups.

Legislation and Restrictions

Anti-DEI bills have been signed into law in North Dakota and Tennessee, and Florida has signed two anti-DEI bills into law. The various bills restrict DEI offices and staff, mandatory DEI training, diversity statements, and identity-based preferences for hiring and admissions. North Dakota’s bill makes it illegal for educational institutions to ask students or prospective employees to state their commitment to DEI. Tennessee’s House Bill 2670, often called the Divisive Concepts Act, bans race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating, indoctrinating a particular ideology or political viewpoint, and mandatory training in divisive concepts as defined by the legislation. Florida’s Senate Bill 958 states, “diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond upholding the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, or a theory or practice that holds that systems or institutions upholding the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution are racist, oppressive, or otherwise unjust,” would be illegal.

The National Implications

The actions of these Republican governors have sparked debate and controversy, raising questions about academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the role of politics in higher education.

Concerns about Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy

Critics argue that these policies represent an overreach of government power and a threat to academic freedom. They fear that the restrictions on DEI and the scrutiny of curriculum content could stifle intellectual inquiry and create a chilling effect on campus.

The Broader Context of Democratic Backsliding

These actions are taking place within a broader context of democratic backsliding in the United States, characterized by growing hostility toward independent institutions such as the media, the judiciary, and education. Undermining independent institutions in order to clear the way for consolidated political authority is characteristic of democratic backsliding. Partisan anger at institutions also serves the electoral goal of keeping voters engaged, thereby increasing the chances of getting a coalition into power in the first place. Indeed, anger and opposition are powerful motives for many Right-leaning voters.

The Future of Higher Education Under Republican Leadership

The policies and actions of Republican governors are likely to have a significant impact on the future of higher education in the United States. The long-term consequences of these changes remain to be seen, but they could include shifts in funding priorities, curriculum content, and campus culture.

Potential Shifts in Funding Priorities

If Republican hostility toward higher education continues to grow, state funding for colleges and universities could decline further. This could lead to increased tuition costs, reduced access for low-income students, and a greater reliance on private funding sources.

Changes in Curriculum Content and Campus Culture

The restrictions on DEI and the scrutiny of curriculum content could lead to a more conservative campus culture, with less emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This could have a chilling effect on academic freedom and limit the range of perspectives and ideas that are explored on college campuses.

The Role of Higher Education in a Democratic Society

Higher education is a central institution in democratic society. These shifting political conditions might change state support for higher education. Rather than macroeconomic conditions, state funding for higher education could reflect deep partisan hostility to all public programs and independent institutions, and especially to programs and institutions that might benefit racially minoritized people.

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