A new analysis by the American Principles Project (APP) highlights a stark disproportion in enforcement actions by the Department of Education under the Biden administration, primarily affecting faith-based and career-oriented institutions.

According to Fox News, the data reveals that although these schools account for less than 10% of U.S. students, they have been the subject of nearly 70% of all enforcement actions.

The report focuses on a range of higher education institutions but points out that significant enforcement has been aimed at prominent Christian universities such as Grand Canyon University and Liberty University. The enforcement actions include hefty fines, some surpassing amounts levied in high-profile sexual crime cases at other large universities.

One such case involves Grand Canyon University, which is currently appealing a $37.7 million fine. The fine was imposed after accusations that the university misled students about the costs associated with its doctoral programs. This fine is part of a broader scrutiny from the Department of Education which in April led Secretary Miguel Cardona to label the institution as “predatory.”

The Financial Burden On Christian Schools

The APP report has highlighted a worrying trend of financial penalties, particularly concentrated on Christian schools. For violations of the Clery Act, which mandates colleges to disclose information about crime on and near their campuses, the average fine against Christian institutions was noted at $815,000—significantly higher than the $228,571 average for other public and private institutions.

In addition, the case of Grand Canyon University also drew attention due to a legal battle over its nonprofit status. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Department of Education had applied an incorrect standard in assessing the school's status, resulting in a ruling in favor of the university. As a result, the decision has since been sent back to the Department for reconsideration.

It's not just Grand Canyon University feeling the heat; furthermore, the report indicates that at least 12 Christian colleges have been hit with heavy fines or faced restrictions on receiving federal student aid. This is a stark contrast to the treatment of Ivy League schools, which, according to the report, have not faced similar sanctions.

Defense and Reactions From the Education Department

The Department of Education has responded to the allegations in the report, with a spokesperson stating that a school's religious affiliation or nonprofit status does not influence enforcement actions. They emphasized that the primary goal is to safeguard educational opportunities and safety for all students. Furthermore, the spokesperson criticized the report for distorting publicly available data to push a "false narrative."

Amidst these accusations and defenses, policy director Jon Schweppe of the American Principles Project expressed concerns over perceived biases in governmental oversight. "The Democrats have been busy weaponizing every part of the federal government to target their opponents for the past four years," said Schweppe. He also mentioned that similar efforts are apparent in other government agencies, which he believes have been overshadowed by more prominent actions by agencies like the Department of Justice.

Legal Implications and Future of Higher Education Oversight

As legal challenges continue, such as the ongoing appeal by Grand Canyon University, these issues spotlight the broader implications for oversight and enforcement in the education sector. The outcomes of these legal disputes could set precedents affecting how regulations are applied to faith-based and career-oriented institutions in the future.

The recent ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court could influence how similar cases are handled moving forward, potentially leading to more stringent standards for regulatory oversight. However, this also raises questions about the balance of enforcement and the rights of educational institutions to operate without disproportionate scrutiny.

As this situation develops, both educational and legal communities will be watching closely. The implications for how educational enforcement is applied could have lasting effects on the landscape of higher education in the United States.