Christian university criticizes Education Department’s “clearly political” harassment.
The Largest Christian University in America Accuses Department of Education of Political Persecution
Grand Canyon University, the largest Christian university in the United States, is taking a stand against the Department of Education, claiming that the agency is unfairly targeting the school’s non-profit status. In a bold statement released on Thursday, the university accuses the Education Department of colluding with other federal agencies to bring harm to the institution.
“Government officials associated with the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and under the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are coordinating efforts to unjustly target GCU in what appears to be retaliation for the university filing an ongoing lawsuit against ED regarding its nonprofit status,”
reads a university press release.
“While such accusations may sound extraordinary, the facts in this document make clear that this is occurring at an alarming level for government agencies to be taking against the largest Christian university in the country.”
The university’s claims have been met with silence from the Department of Veterans Affairs, while the Department of Education and the FTC have not responded to inquiries. The controversy stems from the Education Department’s denial of the university’s application to regain non-profit status, which coincided with the FTC’s crackdown on for-profit schools.
Grand Canyon University, which started as a small private university in 1949, operated as a non-profit until 2004 when it faced significant debt. After a change in management in 2008, the university sought investors to save the school and applied for non-profit status again in 2018. While the IRS approved the change, the Department of Education denied the request in 2019, leading to a lawsuit by the university. Although the initial lawsuit was rejected, an appeal is scheduled for December 5th.
The university alleges that federal investigations were launched in retaliation for their litigation, causing significant burdens in terms of time and money. Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller believes that the Education Department’s actions are politically motivated.
“We have tried to stay above the political fray,” Mueller said. “But it’s very obvious that we are being targeted.”
The university president also expressed frustration with regulators making baseless accusations against the school, despite its positive track record in areas such as low tuition and low default rates on loans.
With a student population of 118,000, Grand Canyon University has invested heavily in its campus without increasing tuition fees. Mueller questions the motives behind the investigations, stating, “No other recourse but to assume it’s very political.”
In addition to the accusations, the university press release highlights a dispute with a state agency under the Department of Veterans Affairs, which accused the school of false advertising. However, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics supports the university’s claims.
The university vehemently denies misrepresenting the cost of graduate degrees and asserts that none of the Education Department’s allegations hold any merit.
About the Author
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has also been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University where he majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
How does the denial of the school’s non-profit status application by the Education Department and subsequent investigations by federal agencies relate to the university’s legal challenge against the Education Department
Against them after filing the lawsuit. They claim that government officials from multiple agencies are working together to target the university unfairly. The press release states that these actions are a clear case of political persecution due to the university’s ongoing legal battle with the Department of Education.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, which is also mentioned in the statement, has not responded to the accusations. The Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission have remained silent as well, refusing to address the university’s concerns.
The controversy surrounding Grand Canyon University began when the Education Department denied the school’s application to regain its non-profit status. This denial occurred at the same time as the FTC’s crackdown on for-profit schools. The university claims that this denial and the subsequent investigations are in retaliation for their legal challenge against the Education Department.
Grand Canyon University was originally founded in 1949 as a small private university. It operated as a non-profit institution until 2004 when it faced significant financial difficulties. In 2008, the university underwent a change in management and sought investors to save the school. As part of its efforts to stabilize its financial situation, the university applied for non-profit status again in 2018.
While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved the change to non-profit status, the Education Department rejected the university’s request in 2019. This denial led to the university filing a lawsuit against the Education Department. Although the initial lawsuit was dismissed, an appeal is scheduled for December 5th.
Grand Canyon University asserts that the investigations launched by federal agencies are a response to their legal battle with the Education Department. They argue that it is unprecedented for government agencies to target the largest Christian university in the country in such a coordinated and malicious manner.
The university’s claims raise serious concerns about potential political persecution and the fair treatment of educational institutions. If the Department of Education, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Veterans Affairs colluded to harm Grand Canyon University based on its legal actions, it would undermine the principles of justice and fairness in our society.
As the largest Christian university in America, Grand Canyon University deserves a fair and unbiased evaluation of its non-profit status application. It is crucial that government agencies act in accordance with the law and refrain from engaging in political persecution.
The upcoming appeal in December will provide an opportunity for the university to present its case once again. It is our hope that this appeal will ensure a fair and just resolution for Grand Canyon University and shed light on the alleged political persecution that has been taking place.
In a nation that values freedom of religion and the right to fair treatment, it is imperative that institutions like Grand Canyon University receive fair treatment from government agencies. The outcome of the appeal will serve as a test of the integrity and independence of these agencies, determining whether they are truly committed to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all institutions, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Time will tell the truth behind these allegations, but for now, they serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the principles of fairness, justice, and religious freedom in our society. The case of Grand Canyon University should not be taken lightly, as it has far-reaching implications for not just the university itself but for all educational institutions in America.
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