02-05-2025
UC must stand firm against Trump's constitutional overreach
Dear President Neville Pinto, Interim Provost Kristi Nelson, Law School Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi and members of the University of Cincinnati Leadership, we write to you as alumni of the University of Cincinnati and as legal professionals who have taken oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution and pursue justice with fidelity to the law. Our education at the University of Cincinnati instilled in us a deep respect for constitutional freedoms and the principles of due process and equal protection under the law, as well as an understanding of the responsibilities these principles entail.
A painful lesson we have learned from history is that the loss of fundamental freedoms in a society begins with the silence of its citizens. Therefore, we write to urge that the University of Cincinnati honor its commitment to being Boldly Bearcat and not bend to demands or directives from the Trump administration that are unconstitutional and violative of due process.
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We boldly call on UC, as well as our elected officials and members of the legal community, to uphold and defend the rule of law − not just in theory, but in practice. The rule of law is a foundational principle that guarantees equal justice and protection under our laws, secures our rights, and ensures that elected and appointed officials are accountable to the people. We cannot capitulate to bullies who demand that institutions of higher learning act in opposition to their long-established principles and values.
Our democracy depends on it.
The foundational principles enshrined in our Constitution − freedom of expression, equal protection under the laws, separation of powers, freedom to protest, privacy rights, freedom of press, and democratic accountability − are under serious threat from the current administration. Public trust in institutions is being tested, and we believe it is important for the University of Cincinnati to reaffirm its core values and take a stand against the Trump administration's defiance of court rulings, extraconstitutional interference, and widespread attempts at intimidation.
We strongly believe it is crucial for UC to immediately take steps to band together with other institutions to defend against attacks on the rule of law, to defend the freedom to determine what is taught at UC, and to defend freedom of expression and protect international students in the UC community. Institutions of higher learning like UC must be steadfast gatekeepers of the rule of law, of civic responsibility, of ethical and honest leadership, and of the promises we owe to our future generations.
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We call on you now to live up to the university's claims of "elevating justice and representing the practice of law at the highest levels," and not to bend to the demands of an administration that has already demonstrated defiance of the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as a disturbing and dangerous pattern of constitutional overreach.
Lisa Elliot Lee is a 2000 graduate of UC Law who has been practicing law in Cincinnati for the past 25 years. She writes this on behalf of UC law graduates who believe the university should take measures to defend itself against constitutional overreach and band together with other institutions to mount a common defense to threats to academic freedom. They include: Daniel Baker-Jones, UC Law Class of 2000; Tara Burke, UC Law Class of 2000; Julie Karkosak, UC Law Class of 2000; Keith Syler, UC Law Class of 2001; Andrew Kaake, UC Law UC Law Class of 2000; Anne Lucas, UC Law Class of 2002; Jamie Landvatter, UC Law Class of 2010; Jon Ford, UC Law Class of 2010; Klarysa Benge Israel, UC Law Class of 2004; Kane Kayser, UC Law Class of 2010; Katie Pridemore, Class of 1998; Aviva Rich, Class of 1999; Teri Robins, Class of 2001; Marianne Jones Ford, Class of 2002; Tracy Jackson, Class of 1992; Thomas Cuni, Class of 1975; Eve Mrkaic, Class of 2000; Kimberly Kilby, Class of 1998; Donita Parrish, Class of 2001; Eric Palmer, Class of 1999; Laura Foster, Class of 2000; Adolfo Olivas, Class of 1981; Elizabeth Tull Laureano, Class of 2007; David Kelley, UC Law Class of 1989; Rebekah Tidwell Fisher, UC Law Class of 2002; Arica Underwood, UC Law Class of 1997; Amanda Williams, UC Law Class of 2000; Rachael Magowan, UC Law Class of 2018; Annie Rice, UC Law Class of 2013; Billy Guinigundo, UC Law Class of 2004; Michael Welsh, UC Law Class of 2000; Jeannine Barbeau, UC Class of 1990; Nancy Ent, Former Program Manager, Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC must resist Trump's unlawful political interference | Opinion
