Following is a statement by Association of American Universities member Presidents and Chancellors to reaffirm their commitment to protecting our nation’s values while working with the government to protect our nation against foreign threats to our scientific enterprise.
The leaders of America’s leading research universities are committed to ensuring that our institutions continue to welcome the world’s best and brightest scholars and researchers. For generations, the United States has reaped scientific, economic, and cultural benefits from people who have come from all over the world to study and work at our institutions.
We are well aware that some foreign powers seek to exploit and abuse the very openness and inclusivity that has enabled America’s world-leading government-university partnership. We remain committed to working with our partners in law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure that we can protect our nation against such threats.
At the same time, we must acknowledge that our openness and inclusivity is itself our greatest strength and the very reason we continue to attract the world’s greatest minds to our shores. We are American institutions both literally and figuratively, and we are committed to protecting not only our nation, but also our nation’s values and prosperity.
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 62 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.
AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.