The administration of Leiden University in the Netherlands is advising researchers and organizations to not respond to letters of inquiry they've received from the United States Geological Survey and other American funders.
UNL president, Caspar van den Berg, says the questionnaire is emblematic of ‘the worsening climate’ for free science in the US. ‘This is also affecting Dutch universities and researchers, which makes it crucial to stand together for free science.’
Closing libraries by cutting the Institute of Museum and Library Service and the Wilson International center for Scholars is a direct attack on history and education. Notice the phrase in the first section, these programs are being eliminated because the "President has determined are unnecessary"
This map will shows the libraries affected by this action https://www.imls.gov/map
NJ Dept of Education memo noting that the US Dept. of Education's Feb 14th "Dear Colleague" letter and Feb 28 FAQ DOES NOT change "existing law and well-established that encourage – and even require – schools to promote educational opportunity for students of all backgrounds.”
Furthermore, "State law and regulations continue to require school districts to implement curricula that promote inclusivity"
This document references a multi-state response to the Dept of Education Memos and Executive Orders - https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases25/2025-0305_Updated-Joint-Guidance-re-School-Programs-Multistate.pdf
Amidst this extraordinarily repressive climate, it is imperative that both government and university leaders serve as bulwarks against authoritarian interference—not as further impediments to academic freedom and inquiry.
