College Presidents Guarded Under Fire

"NEW YORK-Nine months into Donald Trump's second term, in a year marked by unprecedented federal intervention in higher education, college presidents are treading carefully, with few exceptions. At an annual press dinner in New York City on Tuesday night, presidents from a mix of public and private institutions fielded questions on topics including college costs, artificial intelligence and public perception of higher ed. But those questions served largely as appetizers; Trump and his administration's federal actions featured as the main course. While the dinner, hosted annually by Arizona State University president Michael Crow, was dominated last year by postelection uncertainty about Trump, his agenda has since become clear. And with higher ed squarely in the president's sights, the college leaders in attendance Tuesday night appeared guarded, cautiously navigating a minefield of questions, with silence sometimes serving as the answer."

"The first question probed why higher education as an industry had not mounted a more robust defense against external forces, including Trump and other critics-particularly after years of attacks by lawmakers that paved the way for the current moment. Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff responded that higher ed was spending too much time playing defense. He argued that most Americans believe "universities represent an opportunity for citizens to transform their lives," but that the sector has failed to communicate that point and the myriad ways in which research done in higher education advances society. "What we haven't done-to your point, I think-is play offense around that point and play offense more generally, on the things that universities contribute to the country," Kotlikoff said."

Nine months into Donald Trump's second term, unprecedented federal intervention has placed higher education under intense scrutiny. College presidents at an annual New York press dinner fielded questions on costs, artificial intelligence and public perception, but federal actions dominated the conversation. Institutional leaders appeared guarded and cautious, sometimes remaining silent in response to contentious issues. Cornell's president said higher education spends too much time on defense and has not effectively communicated its role in transforming lives and advancing research. Arizona State's president emphasized research universities as engines of technological advancement that affect daily life.

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