The Election and Higher Education: Some Early Reactions

Note: All of the current SCUP Links which pertain to election news, and which appear in the November 6 issue of "SCUP Email News," are in this single blog post.

Here is an early collection of several news sources with perspectives on what the recent federal (and state and local) elections might mean for higher education:

America Gets a Professor in Chief (The Chronicle of Higher Education): "The 2008 presidential election has broken so many political barriers that historians may overlook one unusual fact: When Barack Obama takes the oath of office next January alongside his running mate, Joe Biden, it will be the first time in history that the president, vice president, and both of their spouses have worked in higher education."

Obama Win Could Hit Recruitment of Foreign Students (The Guardian): "The US will look a lot more attractive, especially in the face of tighter UK visa rules."

Obama on Higher Ed (Inside Higher Ed): "President-elect has called for reform of loan programs, a tuition tax credit in exchange for service, new investments in research, and a broader concept of affirmative action."

Good Showing for Higher Ed Ballot Measures (Inside Higher Ed): "Despite recent downturn in U.S. economy, voters show some support for higher ed, approving key bond measures for community colleges — and reject a Massachusetts tax plan that would have devastated public colleges."

Turning a Page (Inside Higher Ed): "What should the president-elect study between now and the inauguration? Scott McLemee presents a reading list."

Application, U.S. Secretary of Education (Inside Higher Ed): "Wick Sloane offers the presidential candidates his one-year plan for a federal role in education when most attention will be elsewhere."

As Democrats Strengthen Grip on Congress, Key GOP Lawmaker Ousted (Inside Higher Ed): Rep. Ric Keller of Florida, senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, and an avid supporter of Pell Grants, defeated.

Obama, Helped by Youth Vote, Wins Presidency and Makes History (The Chronicle of Higher Education): Includes a section on policy priorities and higher education challenges.

Democrats Win Big in Congressional Races but Face Spending Constraints (The Chronicle of Higher Education): "Practically speaking, that means 'things that cost money are going to take longer to accomplish,' said Becky Timmons, assistant vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education."

Obama's Possible Candidates for Education Secretary (The Chronicle of Higher Education): "Even if higher education is not Mr. Obama's top priority when choosing an education secretary, he still might want someone with a higher-education background, said Shirley M. Hufstedler, chosen by President Jimmy Carter as the nation's first education secretary."

Ban on Preferences Succeeds in Nebraska; Colorado Measure Remains Undecided (The Chronicle of Higher Education): "Those measures were among 19 referenda related to higher education that voters in 15 states were deciding on Tuesday. The ballot questions included proposals to create state lotteries to finance scholarships and questions about whether to issue bonds to pay for campus construction."

Results of State Referenda Related to Higher Education (The Chronicle of Higher Education): Access to this resource is protected for Chronicle subscribers.

State-Level Races Shape Education Landscape (Education Week): "In an election year dominated by a historic race for president, state-level candidates and issues struggled to compete for attention. But the stakes were high. The gloomy economic climate will pose big challenges for governors and legislatures in crafting state spending, about half of which typically goes to K-12 and higher education. " Access to more than the introduction to this resource is protected for Education Week subscribers.

Obama Elected 44th President (Education Week): "The Democrat’s agenda includes expanding preschool, recruiting teachers, increasing funding for charter schools, and amending the No Child Left Behind Act." Access to more than the introduction to this resource is protected for Education Week subscribers.

WEDNESDAY BUZZ: Obama Elected President, Higher Education Pledges Support in Addressing the Country's Challenges (ACE): From American Council on Education President Molly Corbett Broad:

"The American Council on Education congratulates President-elect Barack Obama on his historic election as the 44th president of the United States. I know that I speak for college and university presidents across the country in wishing him well as he starts his new administration in January.

Our nation faces a clear set of national and international challenges. That daunting list includes preserving peace and security in an increasingly interdependent world, revitalizing and sustaining a strong economy, and expanding educational opportunity in order to maintain America’s research and innovation edge. I can assure President-elect Obama that more than 3,000 American colleges and universities stand ready to assist his administration in addressing our society’s most pressing needs. We in higher education look forward to working together to meet the challenges of the next decade."