Ellie Park, Multimedia Managing Editor

Yale President Maurie McInnis signed a statement against the Trump administration’s “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” in higher education on Tuesday.

The statement, which was published by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, was signed by over 360 university leaders, including the president of each Ivy League school except Dartmouth College.

“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the statement reads. “However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”

McInnis did not respond to the News’ questions regarding her decision to sign the letter.

The statement comes after multiple letters from faculty and alumni as well as a faculty rally last week, each urging Yale’s leaders to take the lead in resisting President Donald Trump’s moves to cut research funding, end diversity initiatives and crack down on student protesters. 

The statement says that colleges and universities have the freedom to “determine, on academic grounds, whom to admit and what is taught, how, and by whom,” and threats of “retribution, censorship, or deportation” threaten this freedom.

Multiple faculty members have applauded McInnis’ participation in the statement.

“I am proud and gladdened that so many universities have come together so quickly in support of higher education,” Professor Mark Solomon, chair of Yale’s faculty senate, wrote to the News. “I hope that this is just one step in our collective defense, which will undoubtedly involve additional public actions by Yale as well as work behind the scenes.”

Previously, McInnis told the News that her response to federal policies targeting higher education would prioritize behind-the-scenes lobbying over issuing public statements. Before signing the AACU statement, McInnis released just one public statement opposing planned cuts to research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Professor Daniel HoSang, president of Yale’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, noted the importance of public statements to a broader defense of higher education.

“I think that joint and collaborative statements like this one are critical,” HoSang wrote. “Our AAUP chapter has continually emphasized that we must defend all of higher education, as all of our institutions are dependent on one another.”

Professor Richard Aslin pointed to how a group statement is “more powerful” because different colleges and universities are facing similar challenges to different degrees. 

“I fully understand the risks of making public statements that are critical of the Trump administration, but in my judgment it’s naive to think that by remaining silent the wrecking ball will somehow avoid Yale,” Aslin wrote. “By making collective statements Yale points out that we are all in this together and the negative consequences are so grave that we must speak up or lose our role in society where pursuit of knowledge and freedom of inquiry are critical to economic prosperity and national security.”

According to Professor Marijeta Bozovic, deputy chair of the faculty senate, McInnis and other administrators have been meeting with faculty leaders. McInnis and Provost Scott Strobel are set to meet in May with faculty senators and AAUP members who sent last week’s letter to their offices.

“My impression is that both faculty and administration are listening and learning,” Bozovic wrote to the News. “I truly hope that lasts.”

McInnis has attended over 100 meetings on campus since assuming office last summer.