Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, March 3, 2025
Volume 112 Issue 4
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Does executive privilege trump education? By Kaley Muse Managing Editor
This past November, Donald Trump became the second president in history to serve two non-consecutive terms, the other being Grover Cleveland in 1893. With this new administration came a multitude of executive orders, and the one to garner the most attention was Trump’s proposal of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of this executive order was to abolish the Department of Education entirely, granting those powers to the states instead, all on the belief that the public education system costs a lot of unnecessary money. As this order is targeted at the public education system entirely, every level of education will be affected, from K-12 to higher education institutions like Cameron. So, if and when this happens, what will it mean for Cameron? Katherine Hansen, Director of Student Support Services (SSS), Acting Director of Upward Bound and Open Doors, said that, so far, the executive orders aren’t affecting her departments yet, but the announcement of freezes on funding caused a panic. “There were a lot of questions about how long it might last and what it would mean in
the long term,” Hansen said. “The timing was also towards the end of the month, and we had many staff and student workers who were expecting a paycheck at the end of the week.”
change federal agencies, create or remove them.” Another executive order Trump made was to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs throughout all public education institutions across the U.S. “If TRIO grants were Earlier to be eliminated, that this month, would put nearly thirty Trump gave staff and student workers schools (K-12 and higher out of a job at Cameron, education) and end funding to a two-week deadline to support 1,076 students end any and all annually.” DEI programs - Katherine Hansen or lose federal Director of Student Support funding. Services (SSS) This task has been given to the heads of the Hansen said that Department of those in her department Government Efficiency are still working to (DOGE), Elon Musk provide the best service and Vivek Ramaswamy. they can. According to NBC News, Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell, President Trump does not possess all the power to dismantle a federal department like that of the Department of Education. “A president can request a move like this,” O’Donnell said, “[but] Congress is the only body with the power to
Trump believes this is the solution to combating wokeness in the American public school system. Fifth grade Social Studies teacher at Cache Public Schools Robin Muse said that Trump will be taking away the protections of many students by doing away with the Department of Education and, consequently, the funding it provides. “Kids with disabilities are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from laws in states that would limit or take away their services,” Muse said. “Kids from homes with little to no food rely on schools to feed them two good meals a day.”
At the collegiate level, Hansen is worried about the students who benefit from bodies like SSS. “There is not a clear plan of how Federal Student Aid would be managed moving forward, and there are risks of access to those funds becoming more limited,” Hansen said. “If TRIO grants were to be eliminated, that would put nearly thirty staff and student workers out of a job at Cameron, and end funding to support 1,076 students annually.” TRIO services were enacted before the federal Department of Education was created. “They [Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services] fell under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare – eventually, this was split into the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services,” Hansen said. Hansen also said that though there is much uncertainty
within the United States education system, she remains hopeful for her departments and the services they provide. “This is also not the first time that Presidential candidates have discussed dismantling the Department of Education, and we know this cannot be a unilateral decision made only by the President. TRIO has historically had strong bipartisan support,” Hansen said. “I share all of that to say that while there are many reasons to be nervous, we also have reasons to be hopeful.” Hansen urges those that have strong feelings toward President Trump’s recent executive orders to speak out. “Looking up your local and state representatives and contacting them about social issues and funding allocations can make a big difference!” Hansen said. “If you are in support of TRIO programs, especially if you were/are involved in one, contacting your state senator and sharing the positive impact the TRIO program had on you and your education can be instrumental in showing support.”
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For Okla. Ed. Policy See page 2
What’s Inside Okla. Senator buckles under pressure Page 2
Girl in the machine Page 4
Financial Management Workshop Page 5