Re: White House approaches Dartmouth to sign agreement for funding benefits
Is it time yet to say to the administration, “We told you so?”
When the College’s policy of “institutional restraint” was first introduced, the administration explained that by avoiding statements on political issues, the College would “protect and preserve space for individuals to speak.” Since then, however, it appears that the College has used the policy to avoid a confrontation with the Trump administration. And it almost seemed like this was going to work. As Trump repeatedly targeted our peer institutions, threatening to seize their funds if his demands weren’t met, Dartmouth remained unaffected — until now.
Trump just asked the College to sign a pledge to meet certain demands, including a cap on international student enrollment. If the College violates the terms, it may have its federal funding revoked. Time and again, students and alumni have written editorials arguing that the College must stand up for its principles in the face of the Trump administration’s attacks on our rights. Still, the College admin has been too scared to do so. Now we know that this “institutional restraint” was all for naught.
We must realize that Trump revels in bullying, and silence won’t help us avoid his ire. In fact, staying silent makes us appear weaker, thus making us an easier target for the president. It’s precisely because the White House viewed Dartmouth as a potential “good actor” that it decided to target us. The administration believes it can get more out of us because we haven’t yet pushed back.
We can either stay silent and be targeted by Trump — or we can fight back, still be targeted, but at least be fighting for our principles and for the principles that this nation is supposed to have. Only one of these choices leaves the College on the right side of history.
Opinion articles represent the views of their author(s), which are not necessarily those of The Dartmouth.
