Takeover: To get into one's possession by force, skill, or artifice, especially: To seize with authority; consficate

The title of this piece is a definition from an online dictionary of the word "takeover". Stories about a takeover of yet another private industry by the Obama administration have been making their way around the blogosphere recently. Apparently the administration is not content with the stated goal of having government involved with your children from "cradle to age 20" (from Race to the Top language); it now wants to control private colleges your student might attend.

Here is an excerpt from a press release from Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University:

Leaders in higher education are voicing concern over a proposed new rule from the US Department of Education, which would place private colleges and universities under the ultimate control of state governments instead of independent accrediting agencies.

The notice of proposed rulemaking was posted in the Federal Register on June 18 for a public comment period ending August 2. It could take effect as soon as November.

Accreditation, the gateway to academic and financial viability for all colleges and universities, whether tax-supported or not, would be made conditional upon state regulation and authorization for the first time ever.

You can access the entire press release here. A fine blog written by T.F. Stern on this issue can be found here. Mr. Stern illustrates how this sends a chilling effect into our religious lives, as well as infringing on our Constitutional rights.

It appears now we have the Federal government once again mandating to the states...in lower education it is curriculum in public schools. Now it seems as if it will now mandate curriculum in private colleges? (I would suggest homeschoolers and K12 private schools watch their backs). I suppose this is the type of change Obama talked about in his election campaign. This change for private colleges is unconstitutional...but so is Race to the Top and common core standards for that matter and that has not deterred the Department of Education.

This is what is at stake:

Former US Senator Bill Armstrong, now president of Colorado Christian University, warned in a July 30 letter to the US Department of Education that this could mean the all-out politicization of American higher education, endangering academic freedom, due process, and First Amendment rights.

“Those harmed the most, if it goes through,” he added, “will be millions of young students seeking a college degree on campuses where intellectual diversity and open inquiry can flourish without government intrusion. This must be stopped.”

We agree. The "Race to the Takeover" isn't stopping when your children graduate from high school. Welcome to Obama's educational power grab. This is confiscation of the right of private colleges to operate with limited governmental intrusion. Is he studying Chavez 101?