Fwd: Duke open letter draft re Trump assault

[Rees Shearer]

In case you missed it:

The Trump administration has frozen $108 million in federal funds for Duke University’s medical school and health care system, according to two administration officials, after the government accused the university of “systemic racial discrimination.”

Duke University is the latest high-profile school, from Columbia University to Harvard, that the Trump administration has targeted and stripped of a large amount of federal funding, based on vague accusations that the university abets antisemitism or supports diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The move comes amid a wider pressure campaign from the Trump administration to shift the ideological tilt of American higher education.

The attached draft letter is a grassroots effort to encourage Duke U. to stand up against authoritarian control by the Trump Administration. Please pass on as you deem appropriate. I hope you will sign on to the final version.

--Rees

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: osop...@aol.com <osop...@aol.com>
Date: Sat, Aug 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Subject: Duke open letter draft re Trump assault
To: Rees Shearer <rrsh...@gmail.com>

(Rees, Is there a Vigil listserv? If

so, would you post this? Thanks. M) 

Dear Duke Alums, Faculty (current

   and emeriti), Employee (past and

present) Students and Friends,

   Attached please find the draft of an

open letter to President Vincent Price

and Board of Trustees Chair Adam

Silver regarding the Trump 

administration's current assault on Duke.

   It was composed by a small group from

Concerned Alumni of Duke University.

   Because we want to appeal to the

largest and broadest based of you, we

are asking for suggestions and criticisms,

both general and specific, including from

those who, for whatever reasons, may not

feel free to sign the final version.

    As events are still unfolding, we ask

that you get back to us within the next

few days. When the final version is ready

to post, we will send that to you so you

can decide whether you want to add your

name.

      Given time pressure and the number

of friends we are consulting, we will 

consider suggested  additions or edits, 

 we cannot guarantee that every 

suggestion will be incorporated.

      A personal note: some of you may

feel the letter should be much stronger,

in content and tone. I understand this, but

agree with both in hopes of garnering

the largest number of signatories.

     Please respond to Concerned

Alumni address above.

      Your pal, and comrade,

          Mark P

P.S. Please feel free to share this

with anyone you know who might

be sympathetic. 

[osop...@aol.com]

Thanks, Rees. MP

Update:

I'll be sending a clean copy in a few minutes.

Please use that for reference.

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