Editor’s note: The author has reached out to The Brown and White to retract her published letter. She deeply regrets submitting it to be memorialized in print, as her stance at the time was uninformed and ignorant. Her views on this and related topics have evolved drastically, and she wholeheartedly believes in standing up to racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, islamophobia, and other forms of hate and discrimination. What is consistent between time of publish and current is that she still believes in defending the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — which includes freedom of speech as alluded to in her original letter, but also freedom of religion, press and peaceful assembly — all rights that are coming under fire in 2025 under the Presidential Administration named in her letter.
The decision to rescind Trump’s honorary degree is one that needs to be made carefully.
Should his degree be rescinded, it is important to consider the message that Lehigh University is sending on behalf of its students, faculty and staff. Lehigh is an academic institution, and rescinding a degree over some questionable statements made by Trump puts Lehigh into the business of politics.
Should Trump win the Republican nomination, is the university is sending out the message that it endorses the Democratic candidate?
In an academic environment that is supposed to promote community and inclusion, this discourages open political discussion and acceptance of others’ political ideologies. It also perpetuates the stereotype that universities are coddling their students by overreacting when something is mildly to moderately offensive.
Rescinding Trump’s degree puts him in the same category as Bill Cosby, giving a person who has made offensive statements the same punishment as a man that assaulted countless females.
I think the discussion of rescinding Trump’s degree should remain what it is – a discussion. Why not use this opportunity to start healthy discussion about inclusion among races, genders, ethnicities, and religions?
Universities aren’t meant to take a stance on issues, they are meant to foster education and exploration of them.
– Bridget Jones, ’17
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