From student loans to federal protections, the Department of Education is responsible for enforcing educational policies nationwide.

President Donald Trump promised to eliminate the department during his campaign, but whether he will follow through with it and what this may look like for USF students remains unclear.

Related: USF students share shock, relief over Trump’s presidential win 

Two panelists discussed the proposal to eliminate the Department of Education at USF Monday night. They focused on the political polarization of the department and funding of federal education programs.

Damaris Allen is the director of Families for Strong Public Schools, a nonprofit promoting parents’ involvement in students’ education. Allen began the panel by discussing the importance of a regulation process to maintain consistent education across the states.

Jamie Miller, former executive director of the Florida Republican Party, focused more on the drawbacks of the department, saying it crushes states’ ability to govern themselves. He said the department is not necessary to maintain our country’s education.

“More than half of the money that’s spent federally in education is not spent by the Department of Education already,” Miller said. “Is education in our country going to continue to exist if we get rid of the Department of Education? Of course, [it] is going to continue to exist.”

Miller said he doesn’t believe Trump will be able to abolish the department, but he will drastically change it and relegate some of its responsibilities to other departments. There are already differences in policies like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, he said.

Related: OPINION: Trump’s selection for Secretary of Education will hinder college students

Even if Trump does not follow through with the abolishment, Allen said she is pessimistic about the future of education during his term.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of protections lost, loss of investment in public schools and potential privatization of student loans,” Allen said. “I’m really concerned about college students.”

Miller said he thinks federal financial aid programs like FAFSA will be relegated to the Department of Treasury. In contrast, Allen said she was unsure what could happen to federal financial aid.

“I think that the scariest thing is we don’t know,” Allen said. “We’re turning back the clock, and it’s all speculation from here.”

When asked if states can adequately support students relying on federal programs, Allen disagreed with Miller’s stance on states’ self-governance.

“Florida is an excellent example of a state not ready for the abolishment of the Department of Education,” Allen said. “Florida has one of the lowest investments across the country in public education.”

Florida ranks 50th in the nation on average teacher salary, with teacher pay only continuing to decline across the past decade.

Allen said programs, such as Title I funding, which provides financial aid to public schools with low-income students, would be gone without the Department of Education. 

Related: Donald Trump’s immigration policies concern USF students

Miller had a different opinion on states’ commitment to education, which he said he feels is strong. 

“The closer the education is to the actual student, the more we’re willing to invest,” Miller said. “Americans have long committed to education. I don’t know that we need a Department of Education to solidify that commitment.”

Allen said she is frustrated by the partisanship of education when asked about the challenges the Department of Education faces.

Miller agreed with Allen. He said the department’s politicization causes it to follow ideology rather than students’ needs.

One student asked about how the abolishment of the department could affect underfunded schools.

Miller said if the department is eliminated, different federal departments will take on educational responsibilities.

“Most programs worth having will continue to be funded,” he said.

Allen said she does not think Florida can adequately fund its school system alone. Without proper funding, Allen said she fears students will begin dropping out at higher rates.

“Our most vulnerable students are going to lose access to funding, and our state is, in no way, shape or form, ready to finance those things,” Allen said.