By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
This week, President Bob Iuliano signed onto an open letter penned by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) condemning “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” by the Trump administration.
The letter, titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement” and released on April 22, has been signed by nearly 600 college and university presidents from around the country as of May 2.
“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,” reads the letter. “We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight.”
The letter follows a number of actions by the Trump administration targeting colleges and universities nationwide, including demands that schools change their policies at the threat of revocation of federal funding. In particular, policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have been targeted. Meanwhile, staffing at the Department of Education, which oversees federal student loans and research grants, has been gutted.
Additionally, the Trump administration moved to revoke the visas of about 1,800 international students across the country, but soon after reversed many of these revocations due to legal challenges. Many students who participated in pro-Palestine protests last year were targeted.
In a statement to The Gettysburgian, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Jamie Yates explained Iuliano’s decision to sign onto the letter:
“President Iuliano and the College’s leadership team took the time to carefully consider the AAC&U letter before signing, in consultation with members of the Board of Trustees. As the President has previously shared, we are approaching all matters related to federal policy with intentionality and deliberation — particularly in this moment, when colleges and universities across the country are facing increased legal and political scrutiny.
“Our decision to sign the AAC&U letter reflects our commitment to the values it upholds and affirms our belief in an education that prepares students to think critically, engage across differences and contribute meaningfully to society. It signals to our community — and to the broader public — that we will continue to champion the essential role that higher education plays in our society and in the world.”
The presidents of other liberal arts colleges of similar size to Gettysburg, such as Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall and McDaniel have also signed onto the letter, which argues that the Trump administration’s actions constitute federal “intrusion” that threatens academic freedom.
“We must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live and work on our campuses,” reads the letter. “We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding.”
The letter emphasizes that 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 letter also argues that colleges and universities “are essential to American prosperity” because they act as “engines of opportunity and mobility.”
“[Colleges and universities] foster creativity and innovation, provide human resources to meet the fast-changing demands of our dynamic workforce, and are themselves major employers. They nurture the scholarly pursuits that ensure America’s leadership in research, and many provide healthcare and other essential services. Most fundamentally, America’s colleges and universities prepare an educated citizenry to sustain our democracy,” the letter reads. “The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society. On behalf of our current and future students, and all who work at and benefit from our institutions, we call for constructive engagement that improves our institutions and serves our republic.”
May 4, 2025
We appreciate President Iuliano and Gettysburg stance on defending the college against government overreach and political intrusion.
It’s a very challenging time, but the colleges and universities standing together is the best form of defense. We need to keep our higher education critically thinking and independent.
Thank you!!