It’s not just colleges who are scared. Trump’s plans to upend the global economy through tariffs has led to economic uncertainty.
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The WBJ newsroom enjoys a healthy discourse with practically every major Central Mass. institution. Sure, a business or nonprofit may send us a terse statement or ignore our phone calls for a story it perceives as negative about that institution. But, for the most part, organizations willingly make their executives and other experts available for interviews.
That has not been the case since Jan. 20.
Since taking office for his second term, President Donal Trump has used a variety of fear tactics to impose his will on America. And, oh boy, that strategy is working. Particularly because Trump has no reservations about withholding billions in federal funding to institutions, nearly every organization in Central Mass. receiving significant federal money has been trying to keep a low profile, particularly about topics like immigration and diversity, equity & inclusion.
In this edition’s cover story “International loss”, Staff Writer Mica Kanner-Mascolo examines at length the importance of international students to colleges’ business models and the overall economy. No Worcester university made anyone available for an interview for the story. Not that anyone could blame them; most are trying to avoid being the main target of Trump’s ire and forced into a financial position that would necessitate some very difficult decisions about the future of their institutions. Luckily, Mica still got the Worcester college perspective, thanks to two letters from Clark University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute made public after 16 students had visas revoked.
It’s not just colleges who are scared. Trump’s plans to upend the global economy through tariffs has led to economic uncertainty. In an April 14 online poll, 67% of WBJ readers said their outlook on the economy had turned pessimistic.
Thankfully, Harvard University (as of the press deadline for this column) stood up against Trump’s efforts to remake the institution, despite his threats to withhold $2 billion and revoke its tax-exempt status. My guess is the 388-year-old institution did the math and concluded its long-term reputation would be more harmed by submitting to government control than by whatever Trump will rain upon Harvard for however long he is president.
We all may not have the money and reputation of Harvard to battle Trump on this level, but we would be good to adopt its thinking: No matter what terribleness will happen in the coming months and years, it is only temporary.
Brad Kane is the editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
