White House Initiative To Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Overview

Introduction

Executive Order 13779, titled "White House Initiative To Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities," was issued by President Donald Trump on February 28, 2017. The order signifies a reorientation of federal efforts to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Historically, these institutions have been critical in providing higher education opportunities to African American students, contributing to the development of a black middle class, and producing leaders across diverse fields.

The Executive Order seeks to enhance HBCUs by increasing their capacity to provide quality education, ensuring equitable access to federal programs, and fostering public-private partnerships. By positioning the White House Initiative within the Executive Office of the President, the order underscores a high-level commitment to addressing the educational and socioeconomic challenges facing HBCUs. The initiative builds upon previous efforts initiated by past administrations but places renewed emphasis on private sector collaboration.

The Initiative aims to create a robust framework for collaboration across federal agencies, the private sector, and the philanthropic community. This approach highlights a multifaceted strategy to strengthen HBCUs' foundations, upgrade their infrastructure, and enhance their fiscal stability. By emphasizing the importance of these institutions as engines of economic growth and public service, the Executive Order reaffirms the federal government's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Key Provisions

One of the central elements of Executive Order 13779 is the establishment of an Interagency Working Group tasked with coordinating efforts across different federal departments. This group is intended to streamline interactions between HBCUs and federal programs, ensuring that these institutions have the resources and support they need to thrive. By mandating that federal agencies develop annual plans to enhance HBCU participation, the order underscores the expectation of concrete outcomes from these collaborative efforts.

Additionally, the Executive Order establishes the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs. Comprising members from various sectors, including education, business, and philanthropy, the Board functions as a guiding body to advise the President on strategies to strengthen the educational capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs. These efforts are complemented by the directive to convene an annual White House Summit on HBCUs, further providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.

Legal and Policy Implications

Constitutional and Statutory Framework

Executive Order 13779 leverages the President's executive authority to influence the federal government's engagement with HBCUs. While rooted in the statutory framework governing higher education, the order exemplifies the executive branch's role in shaping education policy through strategic partnerships and initiatives. It also highlights the enduring influence of executive directives on policy areas that intersect with civil rights and educational equity.

In revoking Executive Order 13532, which was issued by President Barack Obama in 2010, this order signals a shift in approach rather than a departure from the fundamental goal of supporting HBCUs. The previous order sought to enhance HBCUs' participation in federal programs, while President Trump's order reallocates organizational responsibilities and emphasizes different strategic priorities, such as enhancing private-sector collaboration.

Interagency Coordination

The directive to establish an Interagency Working Group represents a concerted effort to enhance coordination across federal agencies involved with HBCUs. Such a framework is intended to reduce bureaucratic inertia and streamline access to federal resources. Furthermore, the requirement for each identified agency to designate a senior official to oversee its HBCU-related initiatives adds an additional layer of accountability and oversight.

The Executive Order's emphasis on annual agency plans promotes transparency and reinforces a commitment to measurable progress. By enforcing these reporting requirements, the order strengthens the alignment of federal agencies' strategic goals with those of HBCUs, potentially increasing these institutions' effectiveness and reach.

Public-Private Partnerships

The order explicitly encourages fostering private-sector initiatives and public-private partnerships, reflecting a policy shift towards broadening the support network available to HBCUs. This approach underscores a recognition that government resources alone may be insufficient to meet the extensive needs of these institutions. By advocating for private investment and collaboration, the order aims to diversify funding sources and expand opportunities for innovation and growth within HBCUs.

Who Benefits

HBCUs and Their Students

The primary beneficiaries of Executive Order 13779 are the HBCUs themselves and their students. By creating structures and processes to increase these institutions' competitiveness for federal grants and contracts, the order seeks to bolster their financial stability and educational offerings. As a result, students attending HBCUs can expect access to more robust educational programs, enhanced facilities, and potentially more financial aid opportunities.

The increased governmental focus and organized support provide HBCUs with avenues to engage more strategically with federal initiatives, enhancing their capacity to fulfill students' academic and professional development needs. Improved graduation rates and stronger career prospects for HBCU graduates could facilitate social mobility and economic empowerment.

African American Communities

Beyond the institutional level, African American communities historically served by HBCUs stand to benefit from enhanced access to higher education and increased opportunities for socioeconomic advancement. Strengthened HBCUs contribute to building a robust black middle class and help bridge educational disparities that have long affected minority communities.

Communities home to HBCUs can experience positive ripple effects from the increased engagement and investment resulting from the Executive Order. As educational institutions grow stronger and more viable, they can serve as engines of local economic growth and empowerment, offering employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship.

The Broader Higher Education Sector

The broader higher education sector can benefit indirectly from the dissemination of best practices championed by HBCUs, particularly those related to fostering inclusive educational environments. As HBCUs become integral participants in federal programs and national policy discussions, they can influence broader higher education policies that support diversity, equity, and inclusion goals across diverse institutions.

Who Suffers

Resource Allocation Concerns

While the Executive Order aims to benefit HBCUs, there is concern regarding the allocation of resources within the federal budget. Some critics argue that prioritizing one group of institutions may inadvertently lead to diminished support for others, particularly minority-serving institutions that do not fall under the HBCU designation. This could foster competition for limited resources, potentially straining relationships among various educational institutions.

For institutions that do not hold formal HBCU status but serve similar student populations, there may be a sense of exclusion from the enhanced focus and opportunities presented by the Executive Order. These colleges and universities could face challenges in maintaining competitiveness for federal programs and funding.

Poor Implementation

The success of the Executive Order heavily depends on its implementation. Should federal agencies, the private sector, or philanthropic organizations fail to meaningfully engage with the Initiative, the intended benefits may not materialize, leaving HBCUs and their constituents without the promised support.

Potential Regulatory Burden

As with many executive orders, the additional reporting requirements and interagency coordination efforts may impose bureaucratic challenges on both the federal side and the participating institutions. These added administrative responsibilities could divert time and effort away from direct educational endeavors, leading to potential inefficiencies.

Historical Context

Background on HBCUs

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have long been a cornerstone of higher education for African Americans. Founded primarily during the Reconstruction era and significantly prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, HBCUs have offered access to higher education in a segregated society. Their legacy includes educating prominent leaders in civil rights, politics, and academia.

Executive attention to HBCUs is not unprecedented; presidential administrations have issued executive orders focused on these institutions since the late 20th century. Each iteration of these orders reflects societal and political priorities, evolving to meet the changing needs and challenges faced by HBCUs.

Trump Administration's Emphasis

The issuance of Executive Order 13779 by President Trump highlights his administration's focus on revisiting existing directives to instill fresh strategic objectives. The approach emphasizes partnerships and private-sector engagement, diverging from some past policies that primarily focused on public funding.

Despite continuities in promoting HBCUs, the Trump administration's order marked a symbolic recentering of HBCU supportive efforts from the Department of Education to the White House itself. This shift indicates an elevation of priority and visibility, intended to showcase federal commitment at the highest level.

Potential Controversies or Challenges

Legal Disputes

Although Executive Order 13779 is primarily administrative in nature, it does not inherently provoke direct legal challenges. However, its implementation could lead to disputes over resource allocation, federal funding priorities, and equitable access to educational opportunities. Such issues could potentially be challenged in court as stakeholders navigate the complexities surrounding institutional support.

Congressional Response

Given that executive orders do not require Congressional approval to take effect, the order bypasses legislative debate. However, members of Congress may hold differing views on the adequacy of support for HBCUs and the broader implications for higher education funding. Oversight hearings or legislation could emerge to modify or challenge specific components of the order.

Accountability and Transparency

The Executive Order mandates annual reporting by federal agencies, which is crucial for assessing progress and accountability. However, discrepancies in how agencies interpret or implement the directives could lead to uneven outcomes. Ensuring coherent efforts across federal departments necessitates vigilant oversight, which may pose challenges in practice.

In conclusion, while Executive Order 13779 aims to advance the role of HBCUs in American higher education, its impact hinges on its implementation. The order reflects historical continuities and adaptations in policy directions, addressing longstanding challenges faced by these pivotal institutions amidst evolving political priorities.