WASHINGTON — The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities kicked off its annual three-day meeting Sunday with an ambitious agenda focused on how to address the challenges that beset public education.
Many university presidents, chancellors, deans and other senior leaders representing colleges across the country expressed concerns that state and federal funding for undergraduate programs and research has consistently been cut over the last few years.
They also charge that the Obama administration’s plan to create a new rating system aimed at holding public universities accountable in the areas of learning and engagement may further burden institutions that already have limited resources.
In addition, cutbacks to the Pell program and changes to the federal PLUS program have “impacted disproportionately students at minority-serving institutions,” says Dr. Larry Robinson, interim president of Florida A&M University.
Still, at one of the largest annual gatherings of academics in the nation, there was much to celebrate. At APLU’s opening plenary session, “Transforming Higher Education,” Dr. Nancy Zimpher, chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), joined Mitch Daniels, Indiana’s former governor who is now president of Purdue University, and Dr. Wallace Loh, president of the University of Maryland, to showcase best practices.
Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, president of Alcorn State University, was awarded the organization’s Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to increasing diversity and access in the higher education community.
Earlier in the day, a series of panels focused on a wide range of issues, from affirmative action to growing an international student population on college campuses. One breakout session included a spirited discussion with several college presidents on how institutions can better serve Latino students and their families.
