Pacific Index

Professors Greg Blakemore and Jules Boykoff share their opinions on what impacts the Trump administration could have on higher education

   As the Trump administration rolls out a wave of Executive Orders targeting federal aid and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, faculty members at Pacific University are raising concerns about the far-reaching implications for both students and the broader academic landscape.

   Professor Greg Blakemore, a faculty member in the Philosophy Department, expressed his deep apprehension about the potential fallout from these orders. “Universities lead most of the research in the country, scientific, medical, etc. The federal grants which allow them to engage in this research being withheld will not only significantly affect their general funding, but also the U.S. economy. If Trump were to withhold 15 -85 percent of university grant money it would be disastrous. Many universities could be defunded or could lose scholars to universities in Europe, China, etc.”

   Blakemore warned that these executive orders could disproportionately impact states that supported Trump in the election. “Trump withholding federal aid will affect swing states and poorer red states more than blue states, which is probably something voters didn’t think of,” he noted.

   The philosophy professor also criticized the administration’s approach to policy making. “It’s pretty clear that this administration didn’t think through any of their policies.” He expressed concern that Trump’s technocrat advisors harbor radical visions for dismantling the U.S. state in favor of small corporate-dominated governance. “If they get their way, meaning eviscerating the U.S. state and installing smaller corporatist techno-feudal states, they’d get eviscerated by an outside power. If the U.S. state were to be limited in its military power, it wouldn’t be a fun time for anyone, specifically those tech oligarchs. The reason that they’re so wealthy and powerful in the U.S. is because the state allows them to [be]; if that were to be changed they’d get screwed immensely.”

   Blakemore predicted future fighting within conservative factions, particularly between the Project 2025 group and the techno-libertarians. “In the coming months or years, these two main groups will come into direct conflict with each other and will most likely cause immense inefficiency in the administration, to say the least.”

   His concerns about economic instability under Trump’s leadership were also voiced. “Inflation is already rising during his first month in office. Curbing inflation, for example rising prices in eggs, was one of Trump’s main platforms, and already he’s shown himself to be ill-equipped and misguided in his efforts to fight it.”

   “My one main concern is how little sense the Trump administration makes. Old-school conservatism, domestic and foreign policies like Nixon’s, Reagan’s, or Bush’s makes sense and has a relative logic to it, however warped. Trump’s policy makes no sense whatsoever, which is pretty scary to think about.”

   Professor of political science Jules Boykoff underscored the profound cultural and institutional effects the executive orders could have on campus life. “It puts constraints on the ability to congregate on different categories of identity and gives agitators the opportunity to weaponize racial and gender identity,” Boykoff said.

   Boykoff highlighted the executive order defining gender, which he believes targets LGBTQ+ communities. “Trump has shown himself to be incredibly antagonistic on LGBTQ+ communities. Following that, the NCAA will discriminate against trans athletes, and will probably not stop there. These athletes deserve our embrace.”

   The political science professor also expressed worry about academic freedom, citing parallels to the McCarthy era. “There is a historical resonance with McCarthyism. It hasn’t reached those levels yet, but the relation is apparent. A culture of fear is persistent.”

   Boykoff also pointed out that suppression of free speech is intertwined with the history of the U.S.. “We’ve already seen incursions on academic freedom over the summer, with colleges and the Biden administration targeting students who protested the genocide in Palestine, specifically the international students involved. The initiatives that the Trump administration have made have real potential to make incursions on academic freedom. These hostilities are just an extension, albeit a significant intensification of what was occurring under Biden.” 

   When asked about what actions concerned students and faculty can take, Boykoff emphasized political engagement. “Educate yourselves, understand these policies, link arms with those you agree with, and show solidarity with the oppressed. Take five minutes to call your representatives— they keep a tally, and it allows politicians to show they are hearing this.”

   Both Blakemore and Boykoff acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policies and their potential long-term effects on higher education. While the future remains unclear, their message to students was consistent: stay informed and advocate for your rights.