The American Association of Colleges and Universities published a public statement on April 22 titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement,” criticizing recent federal policy changes that have affected institutions of higher education and have led to research funding cuts. As of publication, 514 leaders of colleges, universities and scholarly societies have signed in support of the letter — no Vanderbilt administrators are listed.

The letter specifically calls attention to the “unprecedented government overreach” and “political interference” the signatories believe to be threatening higher education as a whole. 

“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the letter reads. “However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live and work on our campuses. ​​We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding.”

The letter emphasizes a belief in higher education as a space for “open inquiry” and a diversity of voices to be heard. The letter also notes the importance of universities and colleges to “American prosperity” as they believe these institutions should partner with the government to promote the interests of the public.

“The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society,” the letter reads. “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.”

A representative from the university shared the following statement in response to a request for comment regarding the AAC&U letter.

“Over the last weeks, we have been actively engaged in personal advocacy, with and without university partners,” the statement reads. “We are also working through our primary association, the Association of American Universities, to advocate on behalf of America’s leading research universities. Last week the AAU issued a statement in support of Harvard [University].”

Provost Raver signed on as a declarant to a Feb. 10 lawsuit against funding cuts for indirect costs that were announced by the National Institutes of Health. In an April 10 interview with The Hustler, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier did not comment on Raver’s position as a declarant, but he spoke on the effects of federal funding cuts and policy changes on higher education, emphasizing a belief in distinguishing between issues that are core to the university’s mission and those that are not.

“I think finding solutions is important for us, so we are actively engaged with decision makers, public officials and our peers,” Diermeier said. “It is important for us to remind everybody of the tremendous value that American research universities have for the public.”

Leaders from other peer institutions signed on to the letter, including Harvard President Alan M. Garber, Brown University President Christina Paxson, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff, Acting President of Columbia University Claire Shipman and University of Notre Dame President Reverend Robert Dowd. Based on the U.S. News list of Best National University Rankings, the leaders of 12 out of the top 20 schools signed in support of the AAC&U’s public statement. Vanderbilt is listed as a current member of the AAC&U. 

In a conversation with The Hustler, Vivian Valdmanis (Ph.D. ‘86) shared her belief in the nuance behind Vanderbilt’s decision not to sign the letter, expressing interest in seeing higher education as a whole take a unified stand while understanding the power Harvard administration has backing their decision to publicly refuse an order from the federal government.

“It’s a shame that not every university is sticking together, but I am also wondering what universities can stick their necks out. Harvard can — they’re really rich,” Valdmanis said. “Schools that don’t have a big research presence can [resist] because they’re not getting the big research dollars anyways. I think those are the questions universities have to ask among themselves in saying, ‘let’s be clear what we want and what we can do and how we can work together.’”

Valdmanis also cited recent movements by faculty at Big 10 universities to form a joint defense pact as she sees an opportunity for Vanderbilt to do the same within the SEC, saying this could be another avenue to stand against the Trump administration outside of the AAC&U letter. She believes university policies have been hard to determine given the constant changes within the federal policy environment.

“That’s the hard thing: nobody knows. [These federal decisions] are not set in stone, they are [being decided on] a whim,” Valdmanis said. “I can’t see policy at the university level being [decided] when it’s a whim — it has to be very malleable.”

Steven Giles (B.S. ‘80) shared his gratitude for the education he received at Vanderbilt in a message to The Hustler, saying he has been “mortified” to see the “relentless attacks” by the Trump administration against institutions of higher education. He expressed support towards the AAC&U letter and the need to protect higher education, although he said he was disappointed to see no Vanderbilt administrators in the list of signatories.

“As a proud Vanderbilt alumnus, I eagerly opened the AAC&U letter, confident that Vanderbilt would stand among Harvard’s supporters. After all, are we not the ‘Harvard of the South?’ Are we not one of the world’s premier institutions of higher learning? Are we not a bastion of big ideas and bold vision?” Giles said. “Yet I was aghast to find no mention of Vanderbilt.”

Giles pointed to other universities that signed the letter, including Duke, which he labeled as the university’s “sister institution.” 

“The inaction from Vanderbilt’s Chancellor’s Office is nothing short of capitulation,” Giles said. “We all know what happens when you give in to a bully — it doesn’t get better; it gets worse. Much worse. Does the administration truly believe this will be the end of the interference?”

Giles urged the administration to take a stronger stance in support of higher education.

“Why is Vanderbilt not among the 150 schools that signed the letter to defend what is right? I can only guess — but the word craven comes to mind,” Giles said. “To the Vanderbilt administration: do your job. Protect our institution. Stand up for what is right. To students, graduates and alumni: hold Vanderbilt’s leaders accountable for this outrage.”

According to the website, the AAC&U is currently accepting signatures from additional university leaders and will update the website accordingly.