Former college and university presidents: Higher education must do better, but politically driven government intervention is not the solution
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As former presidents of American colleges and universities who care deeply about the contribution of higher education to our country, we call on the Trump administration to end the destructive attacks on colleges and universities and establish a constructive dialogue with board trustees and presidents over university governance and educational guidelines. The federal government’s aggressive threats to withdraw funding and the ideological conditions it has named for reinstating withdrawn funds—before formal investigation, hearing, or reporting—are illegal under Title VI the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and unconstitutional under the First Amendment. These threats directly imperil the core mission of colleges and universities: to prioritize open dialogue, free inquiry, academic integrity, and the unfettered pursuit of truth. Our nation’s colleges and universities have served as engines of creativity and innovation, contributing exponentially more than their costs to the prosperity, safety, security, and well-being of Americans and our nation.
Originally published: April 8, 2025
Author: Former college and university presidents
Position: Former college and university presidents
Institution: Former college and university presidents
Published by: Fortune