Bryn Mawr College President Wendy Cadge has yet to release a statement on recent attacks on educational liberties, funding, student privacy, DEI, and more by the Trump Administration. The choice by Bryn Mawr’s administration to be silent is in contrast with Haverford’s administration, which released an email statement in early February addressing concerns Trump’s policies may have caused and affirming their “unwavering commitment to developing and nurturing a diverse, inclusive community.”
Haverford’s statement covered various topics related to executive orders and actions by Trump’s administration. These actions have included, but are not limited to, attempting to dissolve the Department of Education, ordering extreme budget cuts to educational programs, and issuing executive orders ending federal DEI programs, declaring there are only two genders, and calling on colleges to monitor and deport international students participating in pro-Palestinian activism.
The administration has also emboldened ICE and ramped up deportations, including allegedly illegally detaining student activists such as Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk.
Haverford’s statement mentioned the college’s policies for protecting the privacy and rights of students in the face of potential crackdowns from law enforcement. Concerns about the safety of international and undocumented students were addressed, and the statement reaffirmed that financial aid awarded by demonstrated need will continue to be offered to students regardless of their immigration status. Several resources were offered to undocumented and international students to ease their worries. The email also mentioned the Trump Administration’s attacks on DEI initiatives and transgender people, reaffirming that Haverford is a safe space for all. It was signed by President Wendy Raymond, Provost and Professor of African and Africana Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies Linda Strong-Leek, Vice President and Dean of the College John McKnight, and Vice President for Institutional Equity and Access Nikki Young.
Bryn Mawr President Wendy Cadge and the Bryn Mawr College administration have chosen to say nothing at this time about any of Trump’s actions. When President Cadge was asked if she planned to address these current events, Chief Communications Officer Samara Sit responded in her place that President Cadge was not offering comment. Sit added that she “couldn’t say whether we will ever” release a statement on these topics, but that she “can say it won’t happen in the near future.”
