In his interview with the Chronicle of Higher Education, Johns Hopkins President Ronald Daniels recognizes the critical moment facing US higher education. The Trump administration’s unprecedented attacks on higher education extend beyond funding cuts to target due process, university independence, and academic freedom. As Michael Ignatieff, former president of the Central European University, wrote, “When a university is attacked, everyone’s freedom is attacked. That’s a message American college presidents should adopt as their own.” At this crucial moment, the AAU and a number of university presidents, including President Daniels, bypassed shared governance structures to participate in drafting the Trump administration’s Compact 2.0, thereby threatening the independence of higher education institutions, academic freedom, meritocracy, and freedom of expression on campus.

Across Hopkins' schools, unit chairs and directors have been asked to cut discretionary budgets to varying degrees, depending on the school and unit and how they are affected by budget shortfalls. 

Since receiving Vice Provost Shannon Shumpert’s email on July 2nd about new OIE policies on Title VI enforcement, we have discussed it with National AAUP counsel, with ACLU Maryland, and with other colleagues and allies. We also heard from many faculty members across Hopkins’ different schools, who have shared their concerns and ideas.