Whatever else one thinks about the state of higher education, this much is clear. There has been a vibe shift. The approach Trump has taken to university reform has him pulling every lever within reach to force the academy to respond. It has responded, which has been fun to watch. But will the long-term consequences be equally satisfying? That’s harder to say.
Over the past eight months, we have witnessed incredible things at America’s top universities. The DEI offices are closing. Every day, one hears new rumors that a Women’s Studies or LGBTQ Studies program might be shuttered. Several schools, including Brown and the University of Pennsylvania, have rolled back “gender-inclusive” policies that have enabled biological males to compete in women’s sports. University presidents have apologized — under duress — for allowing antisemitism to fester on their campuses, and Harvard is now calling for more “viewpoint diversity.” It’s a heady moment for the academy’s beleaguered conservatives. Who thought we would live to see the day?
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