LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Presidents from four of the Lehigh Valley’s universities and colleges signed onto a statement this week to speak out against “unprecedented government overreach” that they said is putting higher education in danger.
The local signatories of the Tuesday statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities are DeSales University President James J. Greenfield, Cedar Crest College President Elizabeth M. Meade, Lafayette College President Nicole Hurd and Muhlenberg College President Kathleen E. Harring.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 443 signatories on the statement, which criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for “political interference” and “undue government intrusion.”
“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."Statement from Lehigh Valley colleges and universities
The statement called on the Trump administration to engage constructively with higher education institutions.
“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.
Presidents say they reject coercion
Though the presidents said they do not oppose “legitimate government oversight,” they reject “coercive” practices, such as the withholding of federal funding.
The Trump administration recently cut research grants to universities through the National Institutes of Health as a way to reduce spending.
It also has cut funding to schools whose programming did not align with the administration’s goals.
Additionally, the Trump administration halted federal funds to universities, such as Harvard, that it says have not done enough to combat antisemitism.
The nation’s colleges and universities are able to promote democracy and the common good precisely because of their independence from the government.Statement by Lehigh Valley colleges and universities
The administration threatened to withhold billions of Harvard’s funds unless the university agreed to a list of demands, such as eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to reporting from CNN.
Harvard subsequently sued the Trump administration last week for withholding funds, which it claims is “unlawful.”
Harvard President Alan M. Garber also signed onto the statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities.
The statement said the nation’s colleges and universities are able to promote democracy and the common good precisely because of their independence from the government.
The Lehigh Valley colleges and universities whose presidents have not signed onto the statement include Lehigh University, Moravian University, Northampton Community College and Lehigh Carbon Community College.
