In a statement released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, more than 180 leaders of colleges and universities have condemned the “unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”
The message – published as “A Call for Constructive Engagement” – marks the first time higher ed leaders have spoken out en masse about the political moment, according to information from the association.
“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the letter said. “However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”
“We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding,” it adds.
Twenty-one (21) Pennsylvania presidents affixed their signatures to the letter:
- Ronald B. Cole, Allegheny College
- Wendy Cadge, Bryn Mawr College
- John C. Bravman, Bucknell University
- Farnam Jahanian, Carnegie Mellon University
- Elizabeth M. Meade, Cedar Crest College
- Rhonda Phillips, Chatham University
- James J. Greenfield, OSFS, DeSales University
- John E. Jones III, Dickinson College
- Barbara K. Altmann, Franklin & Marshall College
- Wendy E. Raymond, Haverford College
- James A. Troha, Juniata College
- Nicole Hurd, Lafayette College
- Daniel J. Myers, Misericordia University
- Kathleen E. Harring, Muhlenberg College
- Cheryl McConnell, Saint Joseph’s University
- Jonathan D. Green, Susquehanna University
- Valerie Smith, Swarthmore College
- John Fry, President, Temple University
- J. Larry Jameson, University of Pennsylvania
- Robyn Hannigan, Ursinus College
- Peter Donohue, OSA, Villanova University
“Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.
“The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society. On behalf of our current and future students, and all who work at and benefit from our institutions, we call for constructive engagement that improves our institutions and serves our republic.”
Only Temple University of the Commonwealth’s state-related institutional leaders signed the letter, though the president of the Association of American Universities (AAU) – the prestigious association of 71 top research universities in the U.S. and Canada – to which Penn State and Pittsburgh belong – did.
According to its website, the American Association of Colleges and Universities is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education.
The story has been updated to include 10 additional presidents from Pennsylvania colleges and universities that have added their signature to the letter
Loading ...
11 Responses
Where is WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY? Come on! STRAND STRONG. #RESIST
I am pleased that Harvard is standing up for Education in the face of a dictatorial challenge for control. I am especially supportive of this:
“Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.”
With Harvard bravely in the lead, many other educational institutions are standing up against an irrational and dangerous challenge to their institutional integrity. It is a relief to see Education fighting back when so many other parts of our society are bowing to the whims of one person bent on acquiring power over all of us
Exactly. Thanks for this.
What makes universities think they have any right to people’s tax dollars? Esp while charging excessive tuitions, producing degrees that don’t generate enough career income to pay back loans? How about they use some of the $800,000,000,000 in endowments instead?
You seem to think universities should be trade schools. How sad.
Peter Donohue, OSA, President, Villanova University also signed.
Decide
Keep defunding….and defunding…and defending, until the universities decude to educate rather than indoctrinate.
Decide
YUP!
Are you even sure what those words mean? Or is this 1984 doublespeak?