A university president makes a case against cowardice (newyorker.com)

Article summary

The president of Wesleyan University, Michael Roth, speaks out against the Trump Administration's attacks on higher education, arguing that universities should stand up for their principles and values. He believes that the current trend of universities being cautious and avoiding controversy is a form of cowardice. Roth has been vocal in his criticism of the administration's actions, including the investigation of diversity and inclusion efforts at over 50 schools. He argues that universities should be less insular and more diverse in their intellectual and political perspectives.

Main themes

• Academic freedom
• University politics
• Free speech
• Diversity and inclusion
• Higher education funding
• Authoritarianism

What commenters say

• Universities have become too focused on avoiding controversy and have lost sight of their core values, leading to a lack of intellectual diversity and a culture of fear.
• The Trump Administration's attacks on higher education are a form of authoritarianism that threatens the autonomy of universities and the freedom of speech.
• Some universities have silenced opposing viewpoints and created a culture of intolerance, which has contributed to the current backlash against them.
• The concept of diversity and inclusion has been hijacked by political ideologies and has led to the suppression of certain groups and viewpoints.
• Freedom of speech necessarily implies that individuals may be offended or disagree with certain viewpoints, but this is a necessary price to pay for a functioning democracy.
• Universities that accept federal funding should not be allowed to suppress certain viewpoints or discriminate against certain groups, as this undermines the principles of academic freedom and free speech.
• The current situation is a result of a long-standing trend of universities prioritizing political correctness over intellectual diversity and free speech.
• The Trump Administration's actions are a response to the perceived liberal bias of universities and the suppression of conservative viewpoints, and are an attempt to restore balance and fairness to the academic landscape.