Cornell’s Path Forward: A Call to Embrace Reform

The Trump Administration has issued a letter dated April 11, 2025, from the GSA and HHS, outlining demands for reform at Harvard. These demands encompass several key categories, with main goals indicated in parentheses.

• Governance and leadership reforms

  (reduce the influence of campus activists)

• Merit-based hiring reform

  (eliminate preferences based on identity group affiliation)

• Merit-based admissions reform

  (eliminate preferences based on identity group affiliation)

• International admissions reform

  (prevent the admission of international students who oppose American values)

• Viewpoint diversity in admissions and hiring

  (achieve viewpoint diversity in each academic department by hiring new faculty who will enhance the department’s viewpoint diversity)

• Reforming programs with egregious records of antisemitism or other bias

  (sanction faculty who engage in antisemitic activities that are not protected by the First Amendment)

• Discontinuation of DEI initiatives

• Student discipline reform and accountability

  (ensure transparent and consistent student discipline without double standards based on identity or ideology)

• Whistleblower reporting and protection

• Transparency and monitoring

  (maintain transparency and cooperate with Federal regulators)

• Withholding Federal funding until Harvard complies with the demands

• Increased oversight of Harvard by the Federal Government

  
  

Most of the demands are reasonable when viewed objectively, representing goals that any well-run institution should strive for. The only contentious demand is that of viewpoint diversity. While the goal of balanced viewpoint diversity is commendable, achieving it will likely necessitate political litmus tests for future hires and admissions, given the predominance of left-wing viewpoints on campus.

Harvard Law School

Beyond the specific demands, there are concerns regarding the methods employed by the Administration to compel Harvard’s compliance.

Harvard is resisting the Administration’s demands with an arrogant, knee-jerk reaction, invoking lofty statements about the “invasion of university freedoms.” However, Harvard's true interest lies in the unimpeded flow of billions in Federal funds, which it wishes to spend without oversight while delaying meaningful reforms.

The American public desires significant reform in higher education, and Harvard is perceived as an obstacle to that change. The prestige of Harvard is no longer impressive; it is viewed as overrated, arrogant, and disconnected from reality due to its exceptional wealth.

CFSA has aligned with the American public since its founding in 2021. In August 2023, CFSA proposed reforms to Cornell that would have proactively addressed many of the Trump Administration's demands on Harvard. CFSA is pleased that the Trump Administration's views on the need for reform in higher education resonate with the American people.

Cornell faces many of the same institutional challenges as Harvard, but our situation is different due to our comparatively limited wealth. Our endowment per student is only about 10% to 15% of Harvard’s.

Cornell has been targeted by the Trump Administration for funding freezes, and while we have not yet received a letter of reform demands from the Administration, such a letter is anticipated.

Cornell now stands at a crossroads:

Resistance to reforms Cornell should have taken autonomously is detrimental for Cornell. We cannot afford to jeopardize our viability by engaging in a futile and morally indefensible battle against reform. Unlike Harvard, which can afford to resist reforms out of pride, Cornell cannot and should not. Except in the limited instances in which the proposed reform would be harmful, resisting reasonable reform is not a display of bravery; it is a sign of stubbornness.

CFSA hopes Cornell will choose the path of proactive, thoughtful reform. By doing so, Cornell can restore and even enhance its reputation. CFSA stands ready to support Cornell in this endeavor, should it choose to embrace reform.