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Since its initial release Tuesday, more than 200 university presidents and other academic officials have signed a letter condemning President Donald Trump’s administration for “unprecedented government overreach” in higher education since his return to office.

As of Wednesday night, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud has not signed the letter, titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement.” Sarah Scalese, SU’s senior associate vice president for communications, said the university is not a member of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, and therefore wasn’t “consulted or invited” to sign before the letter’s release.

“We are carefully reviewing the substance of the letter and actively consulting with key stakeholders to thoughtfully determine our course of action,” Scalese wrote in a Wednesday statement to The Daily Orange.

The letter specifically condemns the deportation and censorship of international students based on their viewpoints and participation in campus protests. It also argues that restrictions and funding cuts hinder academics’ ability to conduct research and weakens institutions’ ability to serve as “centers of open inquiry.”

“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,” the letter reads. “We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding.”

The national letter comes roughly a month after over 130 SU faculty members signed a letter encouraging the university to “stand firm” in the face of the federal government’s demands. Signatories pledged faculty support for any efforts made by administrators to reject unjust federal interference in campus affairs.

Harriet Brown, an SU journalism professor and lead author of the March 27 letter, said she was disappointed by the university’s continued silence, but not surprised. Since the national letter was released, Brown said she hasn’t received any further information from university leadership.

She also said the number of signatories of the initial letter has grown to around 180 since being sent to SU administrators, further demonstrating widespread desire for university action. With the university choosing not to sign the national letter, Brown and her colleagues plan to resend their statement to administrators.

While SU isn’t an AAC&U member, several non-member institutions signed the letter. Philippe Magloire, an SU ‘83 alumnus, called the non-membership status excuse “appalling” and encouraged Syverud to sign his name.

He also noted the presidents of Le Moyne College and SUNY ESF had signed.

With multiple Syracuse students losing their visas this week, Magloire, a former international SU student, said the issues facing students nationally have now reached campus and require a university response.

Tyler Toledo, president of College Democrats at SU, echoed Magloire and said there’s a disconnect between administrators and students on issues related to the federal government. He said an Instagram post made by his organization Tuesday — calling on Syverud to sign the letter — has received thousands of views and shares from students, reflecting students’ desire for decisive action from the university.

“People want action, they think it’s important,” Toledo said. “We pay to be here, and a lot of people don’t think that what they’re paying for is being represented.”

On Tuesday, Magloire sent a letter to Syverud, encouraging him to sign the national letter. He said he immediately received an automated response, and hasn’t been acknowledged since.

Brown said the university’s “silence” is no longer protecting its students.

“I imagine that it’s out of an abundance of caution that they chose not to sign it,” Brown said. “As we said in our letter, we all want the best possible outcomes for SU and all of our students. I personally think that the caution will not save us.”

Magloire hopes to see SU follow in the footsteps of Harvard University, which sued the Trump administration Monday, claiming the White House violated the university’s First Amendment rights.

Harvard alleges the president’s demands, including audits of professors for plagiarism, external oversight over material taught in academic departments and reports on international students’ “misconduct,” represent constitutional misconduct, The New York Times reported. Trump’s initial attack on Harvard has resulted in the loss of $2.2 billion in federal funding.

“Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world,” Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a Monday letter to students titled “Upholding Our Values, Defending Our University.” “We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion.”

Toledo said Harvard’s actions should serve as a model for other universities. The number of signatories and the turbulence reflected in the national letter, he said, show the power academic institutions still hold when unified.

“(The university) is just trying to avoid being in the crosshairs of the Trump administration at any cost, even if it comes at the cost of students feeling safe,” Toledo said. “(Administrators) have said they weren’t made aware of (the revoked visas), they didn’t know this was happening. Well, OK, now you’re made aware. What are you gonna do about it?”

Published on April 23, 2025 at 11:34 pm
Contact Duncan: digreen@syr.edu