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Has the Department of Education tightened enforcement of rules about foreign funding of US colleges?

Sunday, September 13, 2020
By Ronny Hu
YES

The Education Department has stepped up enforcement of a 1965 law requiring colleges and universities to report foreign funding of any type exceeding $250,000. There are no limits on funding from specific countries as long as reporting requirements are met.

Inside Higher Ed reports that between July 2019 and February 2020 the department received reports of $6.5 billion in previously undisclosed funds. The department has publicly launched investigations into 12 universities, raising concerns about undue foreign influence as well as national security. An August 20 notice to Stanford raises extensive questions about the California school's ties to China.

The department's effort has coincided with generally heightened federal scrutiny of Chinese activities in the U.S., but it also has raised questions about links to other countries including Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

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