With the recent executive orders affecting higher education, I’ve been checking my email constantly for updates from Trinity University. I’m eager to know if these changes might impact us.
Our university has a history of keeping us informed. For instance, after the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in June 2023, they sent an email explaining how we would proceed. They reassured us about maintaining our community’s values of diversity and inclusion, which was comforting.
Since Trump took office in January, there hasn’t been much communication from university leaders regarding new executive orders targeting institutions like ours. One of these orders has even put Trinity and over 130 other colleges on a DEI watchlist. This situation raises concerns about support programs and funding for research.
It’s understandable that the university is cautious due to the uncertainty surrounding the legality of these orders. However, this silence leaves many students, faculty, and staff anxious about their rights. For example, I’m particularly worried about our transgender students. An executive order suggests they may no longer exist in official policies. As the president of PRIDE, Trinity’s LGBTQ+ organization, I’m struggling to answer questions about our Transgender Inclusion Statement and restroom access for transgender individuals.
In addition, Trinity professors are feeling the effects of research cuts, with some students facing setbacks in their career plans because of national changes in funding. It would be beneficial for the university to share how they plan to uphold their commitment to research, especially since they emphasize its importance.
The climate of uncertainty is even affecting our freedom of speech. Recently, a panel discussion about Palestine was canceled over fears stemming from a Texas Executive Order, which raised concerns about potential deportation of international students who participated. Faculty members are also voicing worries about their own rights to express themselves.
I want to acknowledge that the university may not have control over many of these issues. They, too, could be navigating through this maze of uncertainty. Still, I hope they recognize this situation and communicate what they do know to the community.
I would appreciate a message similar to the “Keep Calm and Carry On” approach taken by Princeton’s president. A simple announcement encouraging all of us to carry on as usual until official changes are communicated would be reassuring. A town hall meeting or a Q&A session would also provide a valuable platform for discussion.
While these initiatives may not resolve all the uncertainty, they would allow us to face these challenges as a united community. Right now, that sense of togetherness is exactly what we need.
