Facing federal investigations into alleged anti-Semitism and mismanagement, top American colleges are under pressure.
The presidents of Ivy League universities are reportedly in “survival mode” due to the current US administration’s strict approach to higher education, according to Ohio State University (OSU) President Ted Carter.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has adopted a firm stance on the nation’s higher education system. He has criticized leading institutions for allegedly failing to combat anti-Semitism, resisting the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and improperly managing foreign funding and free speech. The administration has cut federal funding to several Ivy League schools, including Harvard and Columbia.
“I can’t speak to those institutions because I’m not leading them,” Carter stated in a CBS News interview on Sunday, referring to the Ivy League. However, he suggested that his counterparts are “having to do, I think, what I would call be in survival mode.”
The OSU president mentioned that he does not feel significant pressure and that his university is well-positioned to navigate the situation.
These remarks follow Columbia University’s agreement to a $200 million-plus settlement to resolve federal inquiries, leading to the restoration of most of its previously suspended funding. The funding was initially revoked following an investigation into alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
The Trump administration has placed over 60 universities under federal scrutiny after a wave of pro-Palestinian protests across US campuses.
While Columbia has settled to regain its funding, Harvard remains in legal battles after approximately $2.6 billion in federal funding was terminated.
Harvard reportedly refused to meet administration demands to reform DEI initiatives, admissions policies, and its handling of anti-Semitism on campus. Besides frozen research grants and ongoing restrictions on international student admissions, the university could also lose its accreditation.
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