<div dir="ltr"><div><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-ed6baf16-7fff-d115-8132-dd2e5bebda05"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Dear Campus Community,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Yesterday, I joined more than 200 college and university presidents in signing </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">A Call for Constructive Engagement</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">, a national statement released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). This effort, developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, reflects a shared commitment among higher education leaders to affirm the vital role of colleges and universities in American life.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The statement calls attention to the growing tension between federal government actions and the core values of higher education, especially academic freedom, open inquiry, and institutional autonomy. It is the first time in recent history that so many sitting college presidents have spoken with a unified voice on these issues.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The message is clear: We support meaningful reform and responsible oversight, but we stand firmly against efforts that politicize or compromise the foundational freedoms that allow higher education to thrive. As the statement reads, “We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">At SUNY Plattsburgh, we believe in the power of education to inform, elevate, and transform. Our mission calls us to prepare students for meaningful lives as engaged citizens. That mission is only possible in an environment where inquiry is protected, diverse perspectives are welcomed, and institutional decisions are made with integrity.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The full AAC&U statement and a list of signatories can be found here:</span><a href="https://www.aacu.org/constructive-engagement" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">www.aacu.org/constructive-engagement</span></a><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">.</span></p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Sincerely,</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Dr. Alexander Enyedi</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">President</span></font></span></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:18px;margin:0px"><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px"><br></div></div></div></div></div>