American University President Jonathan Alger has signed a statement with the American Association of Colleges and Universities that “call[s] for constructive engagement in response to the government intrusion in higher learning,” Alger announced in an email Tuesday morning.
Alger also released a Spring 2025 Federal Policy Update, which includes support for international students, a commitment to the continuation of promoting inclusive excellence and restated support for faculty and staff involved in federally funded research endeavors.
The statements come in the wake of actions taken by the Trump administration that have reduced or cut funding for grants supporting scientific research in many U.S. universities and the targeted revocation of international student visas.
The update also addresses a letter from the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights declaring AU and 59 other universities under review for failure to protect Jewish students. The University’s matter involves a January 2024 complaint filed by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Jewish On Campus.
The Office of General Counsel provided information to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights concerning how the University has continued to advance its priorities of academic freedom and free expression in compliance with Title VI requirements.
The joint statement, titled a “Call for Constructive Engagement,” was signed by the leaders of over 150 other colleges, universities and institutions dedicated to higher education across the country. Since January, Alger has served as chair of the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ board of directors.
It reaffirms a commitment to academic freedom, which has been a victim of “undue government intrusion” according to the statement. It also states a continuing devotion to fair financial practices, freedom of research, among other stated initiatives.
“Our community is a place where students, faculty, and staff can pursue their big dreams safely and without fear,” Alger wrote in the email. “We will continue to protect freedom of expression and academic freedom while reinforcing the rights and responsibilities we share in this learning environment.”
The presidents of Harvard University, Princeton University, Duke University, Boston University and the University of Maryland were among the many other signatories. AU and Trinity Washington University were the only D.C. colleges to sign on.
In the message, Alger also reinstated AU’s commitments to inclusive excellence, supporting international students and campus involvement through the Civic Life initiative, which engages student leaders and the campus community in conversations and events to promote dialogue at AU. He re-emphasized the directives previously shared in a University-wide statement on March 26 about federal policy activity.
The University said it was committed to supporting community members through the Office of Sponsored Awards and Research Administration and to involving the campus community through working groups.
Alger also announced that AU Now, a short publication providing campus-wide updates to the AU community, will begin sharing federal policy updates April 23. In addition, the Government Relations section of the AU website will continue to provide relevant information.
This article was edited by Owen Auston-Babcock, Tyler Davis and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
