Universities Must Resist Trump's War on Knowledge

M. Gessen's opinion piece highlights the concerted effort by the Trump administration to undermine higher education in the United States. Like the autocrats of other countries, Trump views the universities as a threat to his power and is employing various tactics to retaliate against them. This campaign, however, is not about combating antisemitism or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, but rather an attempt to destroy the independence of the universities.

Critics of the administration's actions often point out the ethics of engaging in a purely transactional relationship with the state, where the primary aim is to secure funding or influence. This approach is inherently tied to the potential loss of autonomy and values of education. Universities, which have a crucial role in producing and disseminating knowledge, should not allow themselves to be influenced by transactional motivations. As M. Gessen writes, "It requires more than refusing to bend to Trump's will, and it requires more than forming a united front. They must abandon all the concerns—rankings, donors, campus amenities—that preoccupy and distract them, and focus on their core mission: the production and dissemination of knowledge."

Many universities, while quick to show solidarity, have failed to take a strong stance against the withdrawal of government funding. One notable exception is Harvard University, which rejected the demands of the administration, which immediately terminated $4 billion in research funding. However, the lack of organized resistance among universities demonstrates the current force of Trump's campaign against higher education.

Some institutions, like Bard College, have demonstrated that it's possible to resist this assault by insisting on their core mission. Under the leadership of President Leon Botstein, Bard has continued to expand its reach, embracing programs that not only improve education but also transform lives. Botstein's philosophy is revolutionary: he believes universities can function as portals of tolerance and democratic expression by spreading their educational influence across diverse communities as well as reaching marginalized segments of society.

Refusing to compete purely on the basis of rankings or endowments, these institutions see education not as a means of boosting financial returns but as a way to evolve human beings and enhance the community as a whole. Whether to regain lost freedom or influence, or simply to epitomize their true mission, the universal strategy advocated by Gessen is feasible. However, change will not be easy and requires abandoning existing priorities to forego conventional relationships in favor of forging a worthwhile extension.