The American Association of Colleges and Universities released a public statement Tuesday which condemned President Donald Trump’s “unprecedented government overreach” in higher education across the country. University President Jim Ryan was one of over 180 signees, which included college and university presidents as well as other leaders within higher education.
“As leaders of America’s colleges, universities and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education,” the statement reads.
The University was the only Virginia public university whose president signed.
This statement came following a series of federal funding cuts to several higher education institutions across the nation, and one day after Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for its threats to cut research funding.
While the statement claims that signees are willing to enact reforms and cooperate with government supervision, it disagrees with the current administration’s decision to withdraw funding from institutions.
“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the statement reads. “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.”
The statement also calls for a protection of free speech, mentioning recent threats of deportation and revoked student visas. At least one student at the University has already had their student visa canceled.
“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 statement reads.
The University had not offered comment at the time of publication.
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