Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio is planning to introduce a new bill called The Encampments or Endowments Act, which would require universities to promptly remove encampments, like those seen during anti-Israel demonstrations, or risk losing federal monetary assistance. The bill comes in response to escalating protests at universities across the country, with over 2,200 people arrested or detained at 49 college campuses in 26 states between April 18 and May 3. Schools that fail to clear encampments within a week would not be eligible for financial assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and would also be ineligible for Title IV programs. If deemed ineligible, schools would be required to provide grant-based aid to enrolled students to make up for the lost federal aid, and if they fail to do so, they would have to pay a tax equal to 50 percent of their endowment’s assets.
Republicans have been critical of the anti-Israel demonstrations and encampments at universities, as well as the response from both the universities and the Biden administration. While President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona have denounced antisemitism in the protests, they have not supported Republican requests for further action, such as prosecuting or deporting students involved in the demonstrations. The new legislation proposed by Senator Vance aims to hold universities accountable and ensure that they follow the law and protect their students by shutting down encampments on campus. If passed, the bill would enforce consequences on universities that fail to comply, including financial penalties and ineligibility for federal aid programs for a period of five years.
The Department of Education has not yet provided comment on the proposed legislation, but if passed, it would significantly impact universities across the country. Schools that do not comply with the requirements of the bill could face financial repercussions and potential loss of federal assistance, which could impact their ability to provide adequate support to students. The bill also aims to address the disruption caused by encampments on campus, which have reportedly interfered with classes and school events, including graduations at some universities.
The Encampments or Endowments Act reflects Republican concerns about the handling of anti-Israel demonstrations at universities and the impact of these protests on campus life. Senator Vance’s bill seeks to address these concerns by requiring universities to take swift action to remove encampments and ensuring that they do not disrupt campus activities. The proposed legislation would hold schools accountable for maintaining a safe and supportive environment for students, while also addressing the potential consequences of failing to comply with the requirements outlined in the bill. It remains to be seen how the bill will be received and whether it will garner bipartisan support in Congress.
In response to the escalating protests professing anti-Israel sentiments at institutions of higher education, Senator JD Vance of Ohio is set to introduce The Encampments or Endowments Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at holding universities accountable. The bill would require schools to clear encampments within a week or risk losing federal monetary assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as well as eligibility for Title IV programs. Schools that do not comply would be required to provide grant-based aid to enrolled students to make up for the lost federal aid, and failure to do so would result in a financial penalty. Ineligibility would last for five years, during which time schools would be required to take actions to address the impact of the encampments on campus life.
