Re: Dartmouth only Ivy to abstain from signing letter against Trump administration funding cuts
Along with many others, I am disgusted that Dartmouth — alone among the Ivys — has not joined more than 300 colleges and universities in publicly opposing the government’s attempts to dominate institutions of higher education. This is short-sighted, ungenerous and unwise; shunning joint action lets the bully pick off one at a time.
Dartmouth, by her history, should be a leader in this fight. To quote an illustrious alumnus,
“It is the case not merely of that humble institution, it is the case of every college in our Land! … for the question is simply this, ‘Shall our [government] be allowed to take that which is not their own’ Sir, you may destroy this little institution; … But if you do so, you must carry through your work! It is, Sir, as I have said, a small college. And yet there are those who love it!”
- Daniel Webster’s peroration in the “Dartmouth College Case”
The Trump administration is trying to usurp control over higher education; over whom we hire, whom we admit and what we teach. Webster’s argument was not nuanced; Dartmouth’s response should be forceful. It betrays our heritage that Dartmouth is not at the head of the pack leading the battle in opposition.
Paul Velleman ’71
Paul Velleman is a member of the Class of 1971. Letters to the Editor represent the views of their author(s), which are not necessarily those of The Dartmouth.
