More than 170 university, college and scholarly society presidents published a joint statement yesterday opposing the Trump administration’s treatment of higher education institutions, coming together to speak out after Harvard University said the administration was threatening its independence.
The statement, signed by presidents from such institutions as Princeton, Brown, Harvard, the University of Hawaii and Connecticut State Community College, criticised what it described as ‘the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education’.
“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the statement said. “However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the statement.
The joint statement is the latest show of resistance from US higher education leaders as the Trump administration seeks to leverage its financial heft to overhaul academia. On April 14 Harvard rejected numerous demands from the administration, which is seeking oversight of Harvard’s student body, faculty and curriculum in an apparent effort to curb what it perceives as the university’s liberal bias. Soon after, the administration announced it was freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding to the school.
According to White House spokesperson Harrison Fields’ statement at that time, Trump wants to ensure taxpayer dollars do not support racial discrimination or racially motivated violence.
The administration also threatened to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status.
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