Arizona’s education department is defending Grand Canyon University against threats from the U.S. Department of Education to shut down the school, calling it “harassment” and “unjust.” The state superintendent, Tom Horne, believes the threats are contrary to constitutional guarantees of innocence until proven guilty and the right to a fair trial. Despite GCU’s excellent reputation and multiple audits by state entities, the DOE is targeting the largest Christian university in the nation over ideological differences, according to GCU President Brian Mueller. The school plans to appeal within the DOE, and Mueller believes the Supreme Court will ultimately hear the case.
GCU’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, praised the school’s doctoral program disclosures as “robust and thorough” in a 2021 review. The Arizona State Approving Agency of the Department of Veterans Affairs also found no substantiated findings in a recent audit specifically to investigate the DOE’s claims against GCU. Despite this, DOE Secretary Miguel Cardona has vowed to shut down the school, accusing it of being a predatory for-profit institution that lied to students about doctoral program costs. The DOE claims that GCU engaged in false advertising, which the school disputes, as doctoral program costs typically vary based on individual student needs. The enforcement methods proposed by Cardona were openly embraced during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.
GCU appealed a $37.7 million fine imposed by the DOE, which was based on allegations that the school misled students about the cost of its doctoral programs over several years. An investigation by the office of Federal Student Aid found that GCU had lied to over 7,500 former and current students about the costs of its programs. The DOE also accused GCU of falsely advertising a lower cost for its doctoral programs, resulting in 98% of students paying more than the advertised amount. Despite the allegations, GCU maintains its innocence and plans to challenge the DOE’s actions through the appeal process and potentially the legal system.
The Biden administration’s efforts to take down GCU are seen as politically motivated by President Brian Mueller, who believes that a small group of individuals in Washington, D.C., are targeting the university over ideological differences. Mueller emphasized GCU’s strong reputation in Arizona and the lack of corroborated allegations against the school. The Higher Learning Commission and the Arizona State Approving Agency both praised GCU’s practices, calling into question the DOE’s claims of wrongdoing. The threats to shut down the school are viewed as a violation of GCU’s rights and an unjust attack by the federal government.
GCU’s appeals for fairness and due process have not been granted by the DOE, as Secretary Miguel Cardona remains committed to shutting down the school, citing allegations of predatory practices and dishonest behavior. The school’s refusal to back down and its belief in the integrity of its doctoral program disclosures have led to a legal battle against the federal government. GCU’s reputation as the largest Christian university in the nation, combined with its positive standing in Arizona, raises questions about the motivations behind the DOE’s actions and the impact on the school’s students and faculty. The ongoing conflict between GCU and the federal government highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions caught in the crosshairs of political agendas and regulatory scrutiny.
