Higher Ed May Never Be the Same

"These actions are not nearly as unpopular as universities think they should be. The heart of this tragedy is that universities believe themselves to be devoted to the public good but fall far short of the level of public support they need."

"For decades, institutions of higher learning and the U.S. government shared a mutually beneficial compact. Schools were the beneficiaries of billions of dollars in funding and could expect minimal political meddling, and the government and the American people received myriad benefits in return."

For decades, American universities and the federal government maintained a mutually beneficial relationship where schools received substantial funding with minimal political interference, while producing technological innovation, medical breakthroughs, and educated graduates. This compact has been disrupted by the Trump Administration's aggressive actions against elite universities, particularly through significant funding cuts. Universities failed to anticipate this shift despite warning signs. The Administration's attacks have substantial public backing, reflecting growing voter skepticism toward higher education institutions. Universities believe themselves devoted to the public good but lack sufficient public support. Research funding at institutions like Johns Hopkins has declined over forty percent, even as these schools pursue intellectual diversity and other reforms the Administration demands.

Read at The New Yorker