Wall Street Week Special Edition: Bard College President on Trump’s College Crackdown
Sep 21, 2025
Leon Botstein, a seasoned academic leader and President of Bard College for over 50 years, discusses the shifting landscape of higher education and federal funding under Trump's administration. He highlights the historical partnership between government and universities, now under threat. Botstein delves into the implications for research integrity, the role of immigration, and the importance of principled leadership to restore public trust. His insights provide a compelling overview of the challenges facing academia today.
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Universities Built America's Research Edge
- The university-government research collaboration built US scientific dominance after WWII and the Manhattan Project.
- Leon Botstein warns current policies aim to unravel that productive partnership.
Academic Freedom Fueled Innovation
- American academic freedom and departmental flexibility created a top global research environment.
- Botstein links that openness to the US lead in technology and economic dominance.
Political Narratives Threaten Universities
- The Trump administration's attack frames universities as 'woke' and exaggerates campus anti-Semitism.
- Botstein calls these claims politically motivated and argues they misrepresent universities' record.