Ohio college presidents among signatories against Trump administration 'overreach'

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- More than 150 colleges and universities signed a letter Tuesday condemning the Trump administration's attempts to control higher education institutions, including at least four in central Ohio.

The presidents of Capital University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Denison University, Otterbein University and Kenyon College signed alongside leaders of large public universities and small liberal arts schools alike, including the University of Dayton. The letter, organized by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), condemns overreach and the use of public research funding as a means of coercion.

"We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight," the letter reads. "However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses."

"American higher education is the envy of the world, and that's because there has been a long and productive partnership between higher education and the U.S. government," a spokesperson for Kenyon College said.

So far, the Trump administration has paused or threatened to pause billions of dollars in federal funding for universities in an effort to "root out" antisemitism and DEI on college campuses. The Trump administration has tried to get Harvard to shutter its diversity, equity and inclusion programs and successfully implemented a list of demands at Columbia last month.

"It's also because students across the nation have been free to explore their own academic and career interests and scholars have been free to pursue research that advances society," Kenyon's spokesperson said. "We believe both are worth preserving."

Ohio Wesleyan President Matt vandenBerg said challenges to higher education are threatening academic freedom and university missions. He said the letter emphasizes productive engagement between universities and government entities.

"The list of signatories is impressive and growing, and it reflects widespread concern from across the higher education landscape," vandenBerg said. "This is a rare and important moment of solidarity in higher education, and Ohio Wesleyan University has an important role to play in sharing this message."

Ohio State, which did not sign the letter, was singled out by the Trump administration twice: once for alleged antisemitism and once for alleged discrimination for partnering with a nonprofit encouraging minority students to get their PhDs.

A White House spokesperson told NBC News that the Trump administration is "standing up for equality and fairness and will not be swayed by worthless letters by overpaid blowhards."

AAC&U said it will continue to accept signatures from current leaders of colleges, universities and scholarly societies. Denison University's president, for instance, signed after the letter's debut.