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UVM Palestine Solidarity Caucus Calls for Strong Leadership Amid National Challenges
As the University of Vermont (UVM) seeks its next president, members of the Palestine Solidarity Caucus are urging the search committee to prioritize leadership committed to protecting free speech, social justice, and marginalized communities amid an anticipated crackdown from the incoming Trump administration. In a commentary, UVM faculty and students highlighted the threats facing higher education, including potential attacks on free speech and efforts to eliminate programs supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The caucus expressed concern that the incoming administration’s rhetoric suggests a hostile environment for college campuses, especially regarding student activism and critical scholarship. President-elect Trump has made statements indicating a willingness to suppress student protests and marginalize international students, leading many to believe that humanities and critical social sciences programs could be under threat.
UVM’s historically rich commitment to social justice and free inquiry, rooted in its educational mission, stands at a crossroads. Recent actions, such as the suspension of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, have raised alarms over the administration’s willingness to stifle dissent in the face of political pressure.
The caucus calls on UVM trustees to ensure that presidential candidates demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the rights and protections of students and staff, particularly immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals. They stress the need for a leader who will reaffirm the university’s dedication to free expression and academic integrity, particularly in times of escalating national tension.
In voicing their concerns, they emphasize that the next UVM president must possess the courage to confront challenges to the university’s foundational values and protect its capacity to foster a free and equitable academic environment.
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