7 Key Higher Education Issues to Dominate 2024 State Legislative Sessions
As state lawmakers gear up for a new legislative year, the landscape of higher education is poised for significant changes. In the upcoming sessions, colleges and universities will be closely scrutinized on a range of issues that promise to shape the future of higher education. Here are the seven critical higher education issues likely to take center stage in the 2024 state legislative sessions:
- Culture Wars: In the wake of more than 45 bills introduced across states in 2023 targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, Texas Senate Bill 17 has already banned DEI offices and initiatives at public colleges. Expect similar anti-DEI bills in Kentucky, Idaho, and Utah, reflecting an ongoing cultural clash.
- Accreditation Challenges: Conservative lawmakers are turning their attention to the accreditation of colleges and universities, aiming to curb what they perceive as overreach by accreditors. Following Florida’s lead, North Carolina passed Senate Bill 680, signaling a trend of states requiring public institutions to change accreditors within a set period.
- Funding Models and Tuition Freezes: Some states are reevaluating their higher education funding models, with a focus on institutions addressing workforce shortages. Iowa, for example, plans a broad review of funding methods and tuition grants to align with workforce demands. Additionally, legislatively imposed tuition freezes are gaining traction in states like South Dakota, Iowa, and Pennsylvania.
- LGBTQ Restrictions: Missouri lawmakers have introduced over 20 bills limiting LGBTQ rights, including restrictions on gender-affirming medical procedures at university medical centers. Expect similar bills across states, impacting not only k-12 education but also higher education institutions.
- Artificial Intelligence Regulations: The debate on AI regulations, particularly aimed at curbing deepfakes, is set to unfold in state legislatures. The California AI Accountability Act is leading the charge, proposing regulations for state agencies using AI, with potential implications for AI applications and research on college campuses.
- Legacy Admissions Bans: Massachusetts is contemplating financial penalties for universities favoring legacy and donor applicants. Other states, like Colorado, have already banned legacy admissions, reflecting a nationwide push for greater equity in college admissions.
- Free Speech Protections and Limitations: Legislators are expected to continue championing free speech on college campuses, with some bills motivated by concerns about the representation of conservative views. In Arizona, efforts are underway to protect conservative speech, while in Florida, bills have been filed to penalize students supporting designated foreign terrorist organizations.
As the legislative sessions unfold, higher education leaders and institutions must navigate these complex and potentially transformative challenges, anticipating the impact on policies, practices, and campus dynamics.
As state lawmakers gear up for a new legislative year, the landscape of higher education is poised for significant changes. In the upcoming sessions, colleges and universities will be closely scrutinized on a range of issues that promise to shape the future of higher education. Here are the seven critical higher education issues likely to…
As state lawmakers gear up for a new legislative year, the landscape of higher education is poised for significant changes. In the upcoming sessions, colleges and universities will be closely scrutinized on a range of issues that promise to shape the future of higher education. Here are the seven critical higher education issues likely to…