University presidents sign letter blasting Trump. Do UK officials support it?
Officials with the University of Kentucky and the state’s other public universities have not signed an open letter by the American Association of College and Universities challenging some of President Donald Trump’s administration’s higher education policies.
The letter, released Tuesday, is entitled: “A Call for Constructive Engagement.”
The open letter blasts the Trump administration for what it describes as overreach and political interference.
“As leaders of America’s colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the letter said.
“However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”
Presidents of 468 colleges, universities and other research and academic groups have signed the letter as of Friday morning.
Four presidents of private Kentucky colleges have signed the letter: Bellarmine University, Centre College, Berea College and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
The letter goes on to criticize the Trump administration’s threats to pull school funding over issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding,” the letter said.
In addition to threatening universities with cuts to funding if they don’t follow directives, the Trump administration has also revoked visas of thousands of foreign students on many campuses including multiple students in Kentucky, several at the University of Kentucky.
Late Friday, the New York Times reported the Trump administration had reversed course and is now allowing those students to remain in the country.
“Yet, American institutions of higher learning have in common the essential freedom to determine, on academic grounds, whom to admit and what is taught, how, and by whom,” the letter said.
“Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.”
UK and other public universities missing
No Kentucky public university has signed the letter to date, including the University of Kentucky.
The state’s flagship university has been in the cross hairs of the U.S. Department of Education over DEI practices and also has faced criticism as it has made changes to comply with new DEI directives at the state and federal level.
“At the University of Kentucky, our primary focus is on how we advance this state through our mission, not on a letter,” said Jay Blanton, a spokesman for UK.
A spokesperson for the University of Louisville, Kentucky’s second-largest public university, said they did not have a comment on the letter.
UK officials announced earlier this month it will no longer host graduation programs that honor LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation graduates in accordance with both federal and state laws banning DEI initiatives.
Instead, a Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, will host a separate ceremony honoring Black graduates.
During a UK Board of Trustees Friday meeting, UK President Eli Capilouto addressed the controversy surrounding the cancellation of those programs that celebrate diversity.
“Nothing I say here today should be interpreted as diminishing or seeking to minimize those headwinds and the turbulence we face,” he said.
“Already, even as we seek to stay focused on our purpose and our promise in the face of these headwinds, we have had to make tough decisions — decisions that in and of themselves concern and, in some cases, I know, hurt. Canceling celebrations for people on our campus who haven’t always seen themselves reflected in our broader community is one example.”
Capilouto added: “We’ve taken that action because we believe that’s what is required. And we believe complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them.”
Capilouto’s remarks came as more than two dozen protesters stood silent in the back of the room holding homemade signs that said: “Educate don’t capitulate” and “Academic freedom is not for sale.”
In March, UK severed ties with a group called The PH.d Project, a networking organization that helps doctoral students complete their degrees. The move to terminate the relationship was prompted by U.S. Department of Education investigation into UK’s DEI practices.
University officials said in March it believed its association with the group was what led to the federal investigation.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 10:33 AM.
