15: Goldwater Institute’s Matt Beienburg on the Federal Government’s Targeting of Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon Times

Matt Beienburg, the director of education policy at the Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, appeared on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the Biden Administration’s $37.7 million fine on Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian university in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) said the fine was imposed because GCU allegedly “lied” to students about the cost of the university’s doctoral programs.

GCU President Brian Mueller called the fine “ridiculous” and said the university will appeal.

Beienburg said the Biden Administration’s “mission to destroy institutions that do not subscribe to the prevailing orthodoxy at government-run schools,” and the Goldwater Institute has requested government records to see if any collusion happened in the targeting of GCU.

If the agency refuses to release the records, said Beienburg, the Goldwater Institute will sue to compel disclosure.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Fine Imposed on GCU: The U.S. Department of Education under the Biden administration imposed a $37.7 million fine on GCU, a large private Christian university in the country. This fine, unprecedented in its size, was levied for allegedly misrepresenting tuition rates and program details to students.

• Comparison with Other Universities: Beienburg discussed how the fine imposed on GCU starkly contrasts with penalties given to other universities for more serious offenses, such as failing to report crimes related to sexual assault. For example, Michigan State and Penn State were fined significantly less for their infractions.

• Allegations of Misrepresentation: The DOE accused GCU of not adequately disclosing the total costs of its programs, particularly for doctoral students. The department claimed that GCU did not clearly communicate the potential additional costs for extra credits related to dissertation work.

• GCU's Response and Background: Beienburg said GCU has maintained its tuition rates for the past 15 years, focusing on providing affordable education. The university has a large online presence and has been successful in keeping operational costs low. Beienburg said that GCU's conservative Christian identity and its non-traditional approach to higher education might be factors in why it was targeted.

• Broader Context and Implications: Beienburg discussed the broader issues in higher education, such as rising tuition costs nationwide and the increasing student loan debt. It questions the Department of Education's motives and highlights the potential political implications behind the fine, suggesting a possible bias against GCU's educational model and ideological stance.

The Goldwater Institute is a public policy think tank located in Phoenix. Established in 1988, it is named after former U.S. Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.). The institute focuses on a range of public policy issues, including education, constitutional law, regulation, and free-market principles. It advocates for limited government, individual rights, and economic freedom.

The Goldwater Institute is known for its involvement in policy formulation and litigation, particularly in the areas of school choice, healthcare, and government transparency. It has played a significant role in promoting and drafting model legislation in various states, aiming to influence public policy at both the state and national levels.