Former University and University President: Higher education must be better, but politically driven government intervention is not the solution
As former presidents of American universities and universities who are deeply interested in the contribution of higher education to our country, we call on the Trump administration to end the devastating attacks on universities and establish a constructive dialogue between board councillors and presidents over university governance and education guidelines. Named after the aggressive federal threat of withdrawal of funds and the revival of withdrawal funds, the ideological conditions are illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the First Amendment Civil Rights Act, prior to formal investigation, hearing, or reporting. These threats directly put the university’s central mission at risk. It prioritizes open dialogue, free investigation, academic integrity, and the pursuit of free truth. Our nation’s universities and universities serve as engines of creativity and innovation, contributing exponentially more than the costs of Americans and our country’s prosperity, safety, security and happiness.
We support the board’s trustees and the president in collectively defending the values and ideals of higher education. Resist and legally challenge illegal demands that threaten academic freedom and university autonomy. Protects departments and programs from political threats. Save science and other research from reduced funding by providing legal and financial support to affected academics and research units. It promotes a culture of free expression and civil discourse. We ask Americans to be productively involved in the community forum and find solutions to the challenges facing Almamatels and local and local academic institutions.
We recognize that recent events on university campuses raise legitimate concerns about the independent mission and governance of these schools. Academic institutions should never insist that students and academics demonstrate ideological purity. Nor should they put external pressure on them as they do. Issues of social justice or partisan politics should not be prioritized over the central mission of the university: pursuit of truth, advancement of knowledge, and education of responsible citizens.
However, fully utilizing the legally required due process, arbitrary aggression on higher education has a very calm effect on campus life and undermines the unique contributions of higher education to the economic vitality of the nation, the technical leadership of the United States, the cultural pillars of our society, healthcare, and the quality of life of our citizens’ communities. The economic contributions of these institutions to US GDP support $7 trillion Digital TransactionsIt happens every year. BiotechnologyA $3 trillion annual contribution to US GDP. And over $5 trillion per year Investing in AIOther emerging technologies. Together, each of these industries is closely related to academic programming, contributing almost half of US GDP; majorityIt’s twice the annual GDP growth rate and federal spending. Trade surplusFrom higher education it accounts for almost 14% of the US trade in services surplus. This allows you to compare the exports of soybeans, coal and natural gas by combining them. The global magnet, international student tuition fees donate $45 billion to the US economy. The university is responsible for significantly increasing average lifespans, improving socioeconomic mobility and access to opportunities, and training millions of highly skilled workers. Their innovation and dynamism plays a key role in promoting America’s prosperity and global leadership. While US universities and universities continue to be the best in the world, all attacks on academic freedom threaten this position.
We call on the Trump administration to stop the destructive and growing attacks on higher education. We encourage all trustee committees to avoid concessions to core institutional principles, while encouraging their presidents to defend and speak out about their schools.
author:
- Edward Ayers, University of Richmond
- Kimberly Benston, Haverford University
- Lee Bollinger of the University of Michigan Columbia University
- Phil Boroughs, SJ, College of the Holy Cross
- Richard Brodhead, Duke University
- Robert Brown of Boston University
- University of California Carol T. Christ – Berkeley
- University of Michigan Mary Sue Coleman
- Ron Crutcher, Wheaton College
- Adam Folk, Williams College
- Jonathan Funton, new school
- Wayne I Frederick
- Stephen Friedman of Pace College
- University of Pennsylvania Amy Gutman
- Andrew Hamilton, New York University
- Phil Hanlon of Dartmouth University
- Robert Head, Rockford University
- University of Maryland, Freeman Habouski, Baltimore County
- Nan Keohane, Duke University, Wellesley College
- University of Maryland System, Britkill One
- Tony Marx of Amherst University
- Gail Mellow, Laguardia Community College – City University of New York
- Anthony Monaco of Tufts University
- Richard Morrill, Center College
- M. Duannelis, Ohio University, Texas Institute of Technology, University of Idaho
- Lynn Pasquerera, Mount Holyok College
- Laurie Patton of Middlebury University
- Gregory Prince, Hampshire College
- L. Songrichardson, Colorado College
- University of Michigan Mark Schlissel
- Jake Schlam, Texas Wesleyan University Southwestern University
- Allen L. Sessom, Delaware State University, DC University System, Queen’s College – City University of New York
- Donna Sharara, University of Miami, University of Wisconsin Madison University, Hunter College City University New York University
- Teresa Sullivan, University of Virginia
- Beverly Daniel Tatum, Spellman College
- Lara tried Scripps University
- George Washington University Steve Tratchtenberg
- Daniel H. Weiss, Haverford College, Lafayette College
- Julie Walman, Widener University
- Meredith Woo, Sweet Briar College
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