Higher ed’s top lobbyist discusses coronavirus, Congress and changes ahead – Education Dive
A national emergency “pretty much obliterates the future,” says Terry Hartle, of the American Council on Education. Here’s what he’s focusing on.
The coronavirus pandemic has stalled the American economy for nearly two months and forced campuses to shut down and classes to move online. So far, colleges have secured around $14 billion of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to cover their own costs and those of students. But many argue that isn’t enough to compensate for the losses and uncertainty colleges now face.
Leading the charge to secure funding for the sector and make its voice heard is the American Council on Education (ACE). Education Dive talked with Terry Hartle, its senior vice president of government and public affairs, last week to learn more about the group’s relationship with the executive branch and Congress and its priorities for future aid.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.