APLU Statement on U.S. Department of Education’s Letter to University Presidents

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities President Waded Cruzado today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s call to action to university presidents and governing boards.
 
“We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition of the many contributions higher education has made to American progress since the country’s founding 250 years ago. We thank Secretary McMahon for her affirmation of the vital role higher education plays in communities across the country.
 
“At APLU, we are proud of the fact that public higher education was born out of a commitment of the federal government, as signified by the congressional passage of the Morrill Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, and expanded through legislation establishing additional land-grant institutions in 1890 and 1994.
 
“Our land-grant and public research universities value the support they receive from taxpayers.  Since their establishment, the needs and concerns of the public have driven their mission. These institutions already work every day to meet goals outlined in the Department’s letter.
 
“We know that communities across America support and look to their public and land-grant universities to provide the most affordable pathways to a life-changing college degree, drive innovation, and meet the needs of the regions they serve. Public and land-grant universities remain deeply committed to this mission and to delivering on the promise of public higher education. We look forward to learning more from the Department of Education about this effort and collaborating to advance shared goals.”