In the Face of Uncertainty, Follow the Mission

The new year ushered in a pervasive sense of uncertainty for higher education that is perhaps unmatched in modern times, and it impacts all of us, regardless of our political beliefs and regardless of ultimate outcomes.

We are closely monitoring all developments and working to identify the best courses of action we may need to take to follow the law while also upholding our institutional mission and values. This is challenging, as the legal implications of the multitude of actions and statements coming from Washington are not always clear, and they sometimes contradict Pennsylvania law.

What is clear to me, as the proud president of Bucknell for nearly 15 years and as a professor and administrator at Stanford for even longer than that, is that higher education in the United States now faces a potentially seismic shift. After spending the last 50 years “in college,” as I like to say — and living on a campus for 46 of them — I know more than a bit about the complex inner workings of these special and in many ways quite decidedly American institutions. I also am deeply aware of the broad spectrum of beliefs regarding what higher education is and what it should be. And I must urge everyone to not fall for the easy platitudes I hear repeated by all sides.

Whether public or private, large or small, colleges and universities are bracing for the potential loss of federal funding for research, which will impact medical and scientific advances for decades to come. They’re preparing for the possibility of increased visa scrutiny for current and future students and professors, which could reduce enrollment and faculty expertise. They’re studying the impact of potential cuts to federal student aid, which could put paying for college out of reach for students of modest means.

At the same time, the abrupt elimination of federal jobs has affected tens of thousands of workers, which directly impacts those with children in college and could increase their need for financial aid.

These issues are complex and in many ways challenge the basic foundational principles of our work as educators. We are constantly evaluating our legal obligations as circumstances continue to evolve. While we will meet the institution’s legal obligations, we will uphold our core values of academic freedom and student-centered residential education in a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.

Above all, we remain deeply committed to our mission and to serving and educating all Bucknell students, all of whom deserve to be here. We must continue to facilitate their learning and growth so they can develop intellectually and personally and discover their purpose in life. We must ensure Bucknell is an inclusive community that welcomes free expression and the exchange of ideas — a place where all can thrive and reach their fullest potential. These values drive every decision we make and unite us in purpose, as they have since our founding.

Higher education is facing complex challenges, but it is worth noting that a crisis can be the catalyst for unexpected breakthroughs. This moment in Bucknell’s history presents the opportunity to recommit to our mission in new ways. As we navigate a changing landscape, we will consider all options to best meet the evolving needs of our community. With thought and care, we will focus on being more innovative than ever before and emerge even stronger. Our commitment to you, and to all Bucknellians to follow, remains steadfast.