For-Profits Fear a Biden Presidency

Inside Higher Ed

Kery Murakami

September 1, 2020

If Steve Gunderson didn’t know what awaits for-profit colleges should Democrats capture the White House, he thought it became clear when he heard vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention lump the colleges he represents with rapists and the mob.

“I’ve fought for children and survivors of sexual assault. I’ve fought against transnational criminal organizations. I took on the biggest banks,” Harris said, “and helped take down one of the biggest for-profit colleges.

“I know a predator when I see one,” Harris said.

“It’s alarming. Concerning,” Gunderson said of the prospect of Democratic nominee Joe Biden taking office, or if Democrats capture the three seats they need to control the Senate should Democrats win the White House, allowing Harris to break any tie. “The future of the sector is at stake if there’s a totally Democratic government,” said Gunderson, a former Republican congressman who is now president and CEO of the industry group for the for-profits, Career Education Colleges and Universities.

Those on both sides of the debate say a Biden administration would restore a number of regulations on for-profit colleges passed by the Obama administration and repealed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos under the Trump administration.

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