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The presidents of Ithaca College and Cornell University have joined over 200 higher education leaders in signing a letter condemning what they describe as "unprecedented government overreach" by the federal government. The letter, published by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, criticizes actions taken during President Trump's second term that have impacted colleges and universities across the nation. While the letter does not mention President Trump by name, it highlights the administration's directives that have led to investigations and funding cuts at institutions like Cornell and Ithaca College.
Both colleges are currently under federal investigation, with Cornell facing scrutiny over its handling of protests related to the war in Gaza and Ithaca College being investigated for alleged discrimination against white students in programs supporting students of color. According to Ithaca Voice, the letter emphasizes the importance of academic freedom and the need for institutions to operate without undue government interference.
The Trump administration has threatened to freeze billions in federal funding for universities that do not comply with its demands. For instance, PBS NewsHour reports that Harvard University has already sued the administration over a $2.2 billion funding freeze. The letter from university leaders calls for constructive engagement with the government while opposing coercive measures that threaten the independence of educational institutions.
Cornell University President Michael I. Kotlikoff and Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish are among the signatories, standing with leaders from other prestigious institutions like Harvard, Princeton, and Brown. The letter asserts that the freedoms of American higher education are essential to sustaining democracy and warns of the societal costs if these freedoms are curtailed.
The joint statement marks a significant collective response from the academic community against what they perceive as a threat to their autonomy. As The Guardian notes, this action is part of a broader effort by universities to defend academic freedom and resist political interference.