These conversations should involve discussing the potential consequences of compliance with authoritarian measures, such as the erosion of academic freedom and the stifling of dissent.
Second, colleges and universities should develop contingency plans for protecting vulnerable members of their communities, such as undocumented students, international students, and faculty and staff who may be targeted for their beliefs or identities.
Third, colleges and universities should strengthen their ties with civil society organizations and other institutions that are committed to defending democracy and human rights. By building coalitions with like-minded partners, higher education institutions can amplify their voices and increase their collective impact in resisting authoritarianism.
Finally, colleges and universities should prioritize transparency and accountability in their decision-making processes. By involving stakeholders in key decisions and communicating openly with the public, higher education institutions can build trust and legitimacy, which will be crucial in weathering the storms of authoritarianism.
In conclusion, the threat of authoritarianism looms large over American higher education. Colleges and universities must be proactive in preparing for this threat and must be ready to defend their core values of academic freedom, diversity, and inclusion. By taking these steps now, higher education institutions can help ensure that they remain bastions of democracy and intellectual inquiry, even in the face of growing authoritarianism.
These discussions must be based on accurate information about the potential challenges of life in the resistance.
What would happen if endowment revenues suddenly decreased due to attacks from the federal government? What would happen if the Trump administration found a reason to cut off federal funding for financial aid or scientific research?
A resilient response requires a sustainable commitment and willingness to sacrifice, which can only be achieved if the entire community is well-informed about the implications of living under authoritarian rule.
Secondly, colleges and universities must move beyond simply endorsing freedom of expression and actively support advocacy organizations with the necessary experience and expertise to defend it. This does not have to be a partisan effort: freedom of expression is a universal cause.
Thirdly, when students, faculty, and staff are targeted for expressing opinions that are unpopular or offensive to the authoritarian regime, higher education institutions must not abandon them to face attacks alone. They should use their institutional power and resources to assist members of their community who are in danger. It is important to make it clear that support will be provided in order to minimize the chilling effect of living under authoritarian rule.
Lastly, in order to resist becoming illiberal institutions, colleges and universities must examine the history of universities under National Socialism in Germany and the current situation in authoritarian countries such as Hungary, India, Russia, Turkey, and others. American higher education institutions may need to undergo significant changes in order to stay true to their missions.
Responding to the threat of authoritarianism will be a challenging task, and the approach will vary across different types of higher education institutions. Public universities will need a different response compared to private ones; and poorer institutions will need a different approach compared to wealthier ones. However, all institutions must be prepared to respond.
We should have learned from the events following October 7th that colleges and universities are vulnerable. In order to avoid being easy targets, they must be ready to stand up and defend themselves.
Austin Sarat is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College.