Political Attacks on Higher Education

The Trump administration and many state governments are accelerating attacks on academic freedom, shared governance, and higher education as a public good. We are working with our chapters and with allies in higher ed and the labor movement to defend and advance our vision: Higher education that is accessible and affordable for all who want it. Freedom to teach, to learn, to conduct research, to speak out on issues of the day, and to assemble in the organizations of our choice. Colleges and universities that create opportunity for students, workers, and communities. Sufficient funding to provide true education and sustainable working conditions. Information and resources to help in this fight are being added below as they are developed.

Immigration

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• Fact sheet on dealing with ICE on your campus (AAUP General Counsel)
• Fact sheet on rights and risks for workers who are in the United States on visas (American Federation of Teachers)
• Issue brief on immigration-related campus concerns (American Council on Education)
• Know Your Rights flyers (AFL-CIO)
• Family preparedness plan template (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Attacks on Science and Research

• Support for Researchers Facing Coordinated Campaigns of Intimidation and Harassment (Researcher Support Consortium)

Federal Funding 

• A Win for the AAUP, Higher Ed, and Our Communities
  AAUP Seeks Restraining Order on Termination of Grants
• Federal Funding Freeze Impact Survey (Higher Ed Labor United)
• Trump’s DEI order leaves academic researchers fearful of political influence over grants (Associated Press)
• Fact sheet on privatizing K-12 education (AAUP Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom)

Accreditation

• Accreditation: What to Expect in 2025 (American Federation of Teachers)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• A Win for the AAUP, Higher Ed, and Our Communities
• AAUP Seeks Restraining Order on Termination of Grants
• AAUP Joins Lawsuit to Block Trump’s Unlawful and Unconstitutional DEI Orders
• Fact sheet on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (AAUP Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom)
• Fact sheet on DEI in K-12 (AAUP Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom)
• Fact sheet on antisemitism (AAUP Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom)
• Fact sheet on weaponizing civil rights law (AAUP Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom)
• Fact sheet on gender identity (AAUP Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom)

Anticipatory Obedience

Administrations sometimes go farther than the law requires to placate those who are attacking higher ed.

• Statement Against Anticipatory Obedience, with recommendations (AAUP)