A statement circulated by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) and signed by more than 220 university leaders — but none from the University of Southern California — has formally opposed Trump administration policies on university funding.
“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses,” a portion of the statement read.
“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.”
As of April 23, nine of the 10 universities from the University of California system, including UCLA, Berkeley and San Diego, all signed the statement — only UC San Francisco is missing. In the California State school system, 10 of its 23 universities have signed, including nearby schools like California State Long Beach, California State Fullerton and San Diego State.
In a statement to Annenberg Media, USC President Carol Folt said, “I deeply respect the Presidents who chose to sign AACU’s letter and those who did not. We are all committed to the mission and values of our universities and grateful for the American public’s support. We also have a range of opinions about signing open letters, which I rarely do.”
Some see President Folt’s absence from the statement’s signees as the latest in a chain of similar decisions by the University.
“USC leadership has been timid for far too long,” said Sandy Tolan, a professor of journalism at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. “What is USC afraid of?”
Ari Rose-Marquez, a senior majoring in journalism, was unsurprised by the University’s decision, but still disappointed.
“We saw the school cave to the administration’s DEI demands very quickly and not put up a fight,” Rose-Marquez said. “I think the school has made it clear that they have no interest in going up against the Trump administration, no matter who else is with them.”
Tara McPherson, a professor of cinema and media studies at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, was also disappointed that the University is missing from the statement, which she found to be quite straightforward.
“It’s a pretty benign letter. It’s not a radical woke document, right?” McPherson said. “It’s a very reasoned statement that universities play an important role, both in our democracy and in our economy, and that they should have freedom and autonomy from unnecessary government overreach, as they have had through much of our history.”
Tolan sees this moment as a test for the University to improve its response to the Trump administration that it is failing.
“There’s an opportunity for them to reach out… just go ahead and say, ‘We’re going to do the right thing. We’re going to be among the leaders in standing up to these repressive measures of the Trump administration,’” Tolan said. “So far, there’s been nothing that I’ve seen that indicates [that].”
Rose-Marquez felt that this absence from the statement sends a message: namely, students are not being protected.
“I think it sends the wrong message to students who are most vulnerable under these demands, whether that’s students expressing their free speech rights or whether that is students who are involved in health and research or students who are here on international visas,” Rose-Marquez said. “I think the school feels all too comfortable putting those students at risk to protect their federal funding.”
Many have criticized University leadership for being out of touch with students and faculty when they don’t appear on statements like these, including McPherson.
“I think that Bovard [Auditorium, home to President Folt’s office] has lost a moral compass and is not thinking about what best serves a university community,” McPherson said.
Despite student and faculty concerns, President Folt maintains that the university is committed to protecting their students, faculty and staff amidst challenges from the Trump administration — though their actions may differ from other universities.
“My approach is to continue working with state and federal legislators and collaborating with institutions nationwide on a number of fronts, to ensure the continuation of vital research, healthcare, and educational programs that enrich our world.” Folt said. “Our commitment remains unwavering.”