More than 150 college presidents criticize ‘government overreach’ in signed letter

More than 150 university and college presidents signed a letter denouncing the Trump administration’s attempts to dictate policies at private higher education institutions in exchange for federal funding. The administration has paused federal grants to prestigious universities like Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton in an effort to influence their admissions processes and penalize student protestors. The signatories of the letter, which includes Ivy League schools, spoke out against government overreach and interference in higher education, emphasizing the importance of fair financial practices without undue government intrusion. The administration’s moves are part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism on college campuses, with universities like Columbia and Harvard receiving demands to change their policies in exchange for funding. Columbia complied with the demands, sparking outrage and resulting in the resignation of their interim president. Harvard, on the other hand, rejected the administration’s orders and sued the government to reverse the termination of federal grants. The letter also criticized the administration’s efforts to deport international students, revoking student visas and apprehending foreign students involved in protests. The higher education community stands united against what they see as threats to academic freedom and fair practices in the wake of government interference in university policies.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com