Bob Schwartz

Trump is not a student of history and not a student of higher education.

He doesn’t know or care that two of the nine universities that received his demand for his academic hegemony were founded by Ben Franklin (University of Pennsylvania) and Thomas Jefferson (University of Virginia), eminent figures in the founding of America on a platform of freedom.

The University of Pennsylvania just rejected the offered compact, as have three of the other schools. The University of Virginia has expressed opposition, but no decision has been announced.

If the remaining universities need inspiration and encouragement, beyond what other schools have already done, I suggest asking the questions: WWBFD and WWTJD. I think they and we know.

Two postscripts:

The seal of the University of Pennsylvania includes its motto: Leges sine moribus vanae. Laws without morals are in vain.

Trump University was an education scam perpetrated by Trump before he became president. It offered a few seminars, but nothing like a degree. It folded in the wake of numerous lawsuits. But it did have a big beautiful logo.