CASE Statement on Sen. Wyden’s College Admissions Fairness Act
The recent U.S. admissions bribery and fraud scandal has led to important conversations about wealth, economic inequality and college access. As these conversations continue, it is important to remember that philanthropy plays a critical role in increasing access and affordability at higher education institutions nationwide, particularly at a time when governmental funding for higher education has been reduced.
While we understand that Senator Wyden’s intentions are to address the issue of fairness, his bill is misguided. The bill perceives a problem and addresses that perception in a drastic way – by significantly limiting the charitable giving incentive for those with the means to make transformational gifts to institutions unless the institutions agree to a federal mandate to prohibit consideration of philanthropy as a factor in admissions.
We strongly disagree with Sen. Wyden’s assertion that giving to colleges and universities is transactional – that donors make significant gifts for access and in exchange for their children to be admitted into an institution. We know from our members that donors are motivated to support institutions they care deeply about. They give out of gratitude for life -changing experiences with an institution and because they are passionate about its programs and mission. This is especially true of donors who make large, transformational gifts. They make those gifts to institutions where they have strong relationships and deep trust.
In introducing the bill, Sen. Wyden assumes that institutions, admissions and advancement officers do not act in an ethical manner. Quid-pro-quo gifts are not only unethical, but also are outside of the professional guidance and practices CASE espouses and that our members support. Advancement professionals take their jobs seriously and we encourage them to abide by the CASE statement of ethics and principles of practice for fundraising.
Admissions decisions are complex and nuanced. However, philanthropic giving should never be the sole criterion, nor would it ever be acceptable as a quid-pro-quo exchange.
We welcome the opportunity to work with Sen. Wyden’s staff to discuss the vital role of philanthropy and how we can all work together to increase access and success in higher education.
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.