Staff Reports
A recent survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed reveals that a significant number of college presidents are trembling at the thought of a second Trump administration wreaking havoc on higher education. Out of 298 campus leaders surveyed, 51% believed the Donald’s policies would bring about a somewhat or significantly negative impact on their hallowed grounds. Of those surveyed, 38% had the audacity to predict a somewhat or significantly positive effect, leaving a small fraction who simply believed it would amount to a big ol’ nothing burger.
The alarm bells rang loudest regarding the hot-button issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a feat of dramatic flair that could rival a daytime soap opera, a whopping 80% of respondents predicted that Trump’s return would be catastrophic for the ‘climate’ of DEI on campuses nationwide. Meanwhile, 60% specifically feared for the future of DEI at their own institutions, as if the absence of a well-executed diversity plan could lead to campuses transforming into purveyors of intolerance overnight.
Interestingly, the survey was conducted in December and January while President Trump’s signature executive orders were mere predictions whispered around coffee machines in faculty lounges. Those executive orders, signed shortly after he took office, included a targeted strike on race-based admissions and DEI programs, which only heightened the respondents’ anxiety. Some experts have posited that if the survey were conducted today, responses might skew even more negatively. Apparently, fear is a potent motivator in academia.
Only a scant 8% of college presidents supported Trump’s plan to dismantle the Education Department, leaving a resounding majority of 72% in complete disapproval. Gender dynamics also took center stage, with male college leaders feeling more confident about Trump—42% compared to just 30% among their female counterparts. Perhaps someone should remind the ladies that confidence can be as contagious as a cold when you’re on a campus swarming with echo chambers.
In spite of the bellyaching from the higher education echo chamber, the survey did reveal that many college presidents view the Trump administration as a potential improvement compared to the pre-Kamala era. When asked about President Biden’s higher education policies, only 33% expressed satisfaction, while an alarming 41% expressed dissatisfaction, particularly regarding his student loan forgiveness boondoggle. Arthur Keiser, chancellor of Keiser University, put a positive spin on the matter, insisting that the Trump administration prioritizes student return on investment over burdening colleges with costs—something that could have your average college administrator scrambling for an antacid.
Survey finds 51% of college presidents alarmed by Trump’s returnhttps://t.co/7mC1CNs5di pic.twitter.com/zwY4FJpgqC
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 6, 2025
These findings have emerged amidst a growing resistance to DEI policies in universities. Boston University recently announced it would be shutting down its Center for Antiracist Research, with founder Ibram X. Kendi headed for pastures new at Howard University. To add to this, a survey from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression indicated that half of professors from elite institutions are not on board with mandatory DEI pledges for faculty, suggesting that perhaps not everyone is enamored with the entire checklist approach to inclusivity.
While academia may be in a tizzy over Trump’s ambitions, the broader implication appears to be a shift towards a more meritocratic approach in higher education corridors. Even some liberal voices are starting to question the utility of DEI policies that, according to government professor Bradley Watson, notoriously undermine meritocracy. The looming question is whether colleges will continue to bend to the whims of echo chambers or recognize the merit of forging a future that prioritizes genuine opportunity over political posturing.
