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On April 21, Harvard University sued President Donald Trump’s administration for his threats to cut funding if it did not conform to his demands for educational oversight.

The following day, the American Association of Colleges and Universities published a letter condemning Trump for “unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education,” immediately joined by more than 150 academic institutions.

Since the original list of signatures was released, the number has more than doubled, totaling 568 as of noon Wednesday. And while Chancellor Kent Syverud’s predecessor — Nancy Cantor — signed on behalf of Hunter College CUNY, Syracuse University remains absent from the list.

When those trying to pursue an education feel threatened, neutrality isn’t an option. The issue at hand isn’t political or, as Trump claims, of a “woke” student body — we are grappling with an attack on the First Amendment.

Students, faculty and alumni alike bear the weight of SU’s silence as they navigate a political climate that jeopardizes their validity on campus. Amid the flurry of executive orders from the president’s desk, transparency is crucial to alleviating these fears and uncertainties.

SU is understandably concerned about its funding and the backlash calling out the Trump administration would entail. The letter itself isn’t yet wielding tangible change, but the university’s current plan of passivity is far more dangerous than any public denunciation.

The symbolic value of the AAC&U letter could be easily discounted, but SU needs to understand its importance. The Trump administration is putting our nation’s trajectory in a tailspin. SU’s lack of response establishes an unsettling precedent for how the university will approach future encroachments on academic freedom.

“The University recognizes that recent developments have created uncertainty for some members of our community,” a university spokesperson wrote in a Wednesday statement to The Daily Orange. “The University is constantly monitoring new federal actions and assessing their impact on our students, faculty and staff. This includes developments related to research funding, visa status for international students, and regulatory changes affecting university operations.”

Since Jan. 20., Trump has waged a war on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies in higher education. He’s also dismantled the Department of Education, a backbone to many people’s academic pursuits. Now, he’s targeting universities’ funding regardless of their stance on his policies.

Trump justified some of the attacks with claims of antisemitism, citing campus protests. As a university with a history of protests — including a pro-Palestine encampment — and a home to many international students, SU’s lack of initiative is staggering.

When The D.O. inquired about the university’s absence from the letter’s signatories on
April 16, the university responded that it was “carefully reviewing the substance of the letter and actively consulting with key stakeholders.”

For a university that markets itself as a welcoming and diverse environment, choosing to protect or communicate shouldn’t be an afterthought.

“We continue to engage with individuals who are directly impacted by these changes to ensure that support and guidance are tailored to their specific situations and remains relevant and timely. We remain committed to being a university welcoming to all while complying with federal law,” the spokesperson wrote in Wednesday’s statement.

While other schools under attack work to form legal alliances and condemn the administration’s overreach on their campuses, SU’s lack of solidarity with other universities demonstrates the beginning of submission to Trump’s demands.

And this isn’t the first time we’ve seen SU choose indifference and withhold information from the student body. During COVID-19, more than half the student body viewed the university’s response as “inconsistent,” failing to effectively take action and maintain communication.

SU’s also complied with Trump’s DEIA censors in website changes. Yet, no formal announcement was made to the student body.

Most pressing of all, though, has been SU’s response to the revocation of three student visas. SU declined to comment on whether it had communicated with the Trump administration or the State Department, syracuse.com reported. Students are expressing concerns about the revocations and are looking to see what’s next.

And it isn’t just students who feel betrayed.

Alumni are more than a source of pride and funding — they’re a major marketing factor for SU. The D.O. has received multiple emails expressing concern and dismay for the university’s shortcomings, illustrating the situation’s severity in the eyes of the “Forever Orange.”

On March 27, over 130 SU faculty and staff members cosigned a letter sent to SU administrators, urging the university to “stand firm” and resist the Trump administration’s demands. Faculty also expressed their frustration by helping organize the Hands Off! protest on April 25.

The university’s longstanding mission of diversity is unfolding into an afterthought and the institution is staying silent about the administration’s direct attacks on student freedoms.

We question what the university believes to be the benefits of this submission and complacency in what is a slight to the student body.

In SU’s attempt to avoid attention from the Trump administration, it’s left its students and staff without anywhere to turn. This will ultimately rebrand SU as an unwelcoming institution to its diverse student body.

Many of Trump’s attempts at disbanding these academic institutions are proving unconstitutional when they reach a judge, but what SU chooses to do at this moment is ultimately pivotal for the long-term direction of its students’ futures. This sense of abandonment will be felt far longer than any short-lived effort to chip away at academic integrity.

We fear for the futures of our peers — whether they be protesters, international students or members of communities served by diminishing DEIA initiatives.

Both students and officials can recognize what’s at stake. While we’re confident student security is the top priority, proving this will take more than continuous empty statements — or none at all.

The SU community needs concrete proof of the university’s attempts to protect not only our futures, but also our democracy. Many of our students don’t have the option to wait for the next statement.

We need to know the university is with us.

The Daily Orange Editorial Board serves as the voice of the organization and aims to contribute the perspectives of students to discussions that concern Syracuse University and the greater Syracuse community. The editorial board’s stances are determined by a majority of its members. Are you interested in pitching a topic for the editorial board to discuss? Email opinion@dailyorange.com.

Published on May 1, 2025 at 6:25 am
Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com