APLU Hails President Biden’s First Day Executive Orders

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today released the following statement praising the series of Executive Orders that President Biden is scheduled to sign on his first day in office.

“APLU and the public university community congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration. We look forward to working with them and their administration on a wide array of issues to strengthen the nation and to support the mission of public universities and the students and communities they serve.

“We are very pleased that President Biden is taking swift action today through a series of executive orders to address some of the most pressing issues facing the nation. These executive orders are critical first steps that, among other things, will help the nation better combat the pandemic, address racial inequity, welcome the contributions of immigrants, support those with student debt, and much more. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to further address these and other issues.

“Of note to public universities, revoking the severely misguided “divisive concepts” executive order that the previous administration promulgated will end the chilling effect on federal contractor and grantee diversity and inclusivity workplace trainings that advance these essential values. In preserving and fortifying the DACA program and calling on Congress to provide a path to citizenship, President Biden is making clear that he values the contributions of Dreamers and wants them to fully realize the American Dream. And in repealing the horrifically misguided travel ban, President Biden is sending a clear signal that the U.S. can secure and protect itself while remaining a welcoming nation to those from around the world. We are also pleased that President Biden is asking the U.S. Department of Education to provide financial relief to borrowers during the pandemic through the extension of the moratorium on student loan interest and payments at least through September.

“There is much work ahead with multiple crises and major challenges, but today’s executive orders are a very good first step for the new administration.”