EMMA PIRHALA / NEWS EDITOR

On April 22, President James T. Harris III signed a statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities, joining hundreds of other university presidents across the nation. The letter called for ‘constructive engagement’ within campuses and collaboration at a national scale. The letter comes as higher education has been under increased scrutiny by the Trump administration, with schools such as Columbia  University and Harvard University losing federal funding and student visas being revoked across the country. 

“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 letter reads. “We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. 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.”

In an email to the USD community, Harris explained his reasoning behind signing the statement.

“It is my hope, through collective action and an appeal to a measured approach, that universities and our nation can navigate these unchartered waters and emerge stronger for it,” Harris stated. 

He also recognized the possibility  of   greater   scrutiny  on the University due to  the letter. However, President  Harris maintained the importance of abiding by USD’s goals. 

“I am confident that we continue to make decisions and express our position in line with our mission, vision and core values,” he  described   in the email. 

As of publication, the Trump administration has yet to respond to the letter and no major changes have occurred. The USD Vista will continue to monitor any developments in this ongoing story.

President Harris signed the letter along with other university presidents. Photo courtesy of @usandiego/Flickr