US academic leaders unite against Trump's higher education policies

New York: Over 100 university, college and scholarly society presidents published a joint statement on Tuesday opposing the Trump administration's treatment of higher education institutions, coming together to speak out after Harvard University said the administration was threatening its independence.

The statement, signed by presidents from such institutions as Princeton, Brown, the University of Hawaii and Connecticut State Community College, criticized what it described as "the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education."

"We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose
legitimate government oversight," the statement said. "However,
we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those
who learn, live, and work on our campuses."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment
about the statement.

Tuesday's joint statement is the latest show of resistance
from U.S. higher education leaders as the Trump administration
seeks to leverage its financial heft to overhaul academia.

On April 14 Harvard rejected numerous demands from the
administration, which is seeking oversight of Harvard's student
body, faculty and curriculum in an apparent effort to curb what
it perceives as the university's liberal bias.

Soon after, the administration announced it was freezing
$2.3 billion in federal funding to the school.

According to White House spokesperson Harrison Fields'
statement at that time, Trump wants to ensure taxpayer dollars
do not support racial discrimination or racially motivated
violence.

The administration also threatened to strip Harvard of its
tax-exempt status and take away its ability to enroll foreign
students.

On Monday Harvard sued the Trump administration to try to
force it to end its orders freezing funds and withdraw demands
it has made, accusing the federal government of trying to
"overhaul Harvard's governance, control Harvard's faculty hiring
and dictate what faculty may teach Harvard students" for
ideological reasons.

Harvard said in its suit that government attempts to "coerce
and control" the university violated the Constitution's
protections for speech. It also accused the government of
failing to follow procedures set out under federal civil rights
laws.

Since his January inauguration, Republican President Donald
Trump has cracked down on top U.S. universities, saying they
mishandled last year's pro-Palestinian protests and allowed
antisemitism to fester on campus.

His administration has also targeted universities for other
issues such as transgender rights and diversity, equity and
inclusion programs, and has threatened to withhold federal
funding over these issues.

Columbia University was an early target but in recent weeks,
the administration has focused on Harvard.

On April 15 over 60 past and present college and university
presidents signed an open letter saying they "strongly support"
Harvard President Alan Garber's rejection of the
administration's demands.
(Reporting by Helen Coster; Editing by Sandra Maler)