A prestigious university in Belgium has issued a stark warning to its staff regarding potential risks associated with partnerships with American colleges, in light of President Donald Trump’s ongoing actions affecting higher education. Ghent University (UGent) expressed its concerns in an email directed at faculty members, acknowledging that the U.S. government has implemented several measures that jeopardize the autonomy of universities and the principle of academic freedom.
In the message, which has been reviewed by POLITICO, UGent emphasized its apprehension over the implications of its extensive research collaborations with U.S. institutions, stating, “the university is concerned about these developments.” Recognized globally as a leading institution, UGent ranks 109th in the world and second in Belgium according to the 2025 Best Global Universities report.
Guidelines for academic travel to the U.S.
In response to these challenges, UGent provided a comprehensive set of guidelines and best practices for academics and students planning to travel to the United States. These recommendations highlight heightened border security, changing societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community, and the risk of arrest for researchers who have publicly opposed the Trump administration.
The university specifically cautioned researchers engaged in projects with U.S. partners, especially those dealing with “sensitive topics the U.S. government considers sensitive (climate change, transgender rights, diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) programs),” to keep their data stored on internal servers. “This way you avoid that the data can be deleted if it is on a U.S. server,” UGent advised.
Stricter regulations and support for academic freedom
President Trump has initiated an unprecedented crackdown on some of the nation’s most esteemed universities, enforcing stricter regulations and threatening to suspend or cut federal funding unless these institutions adhere to his administration’s directives. In a notable instance, the U.S. Department of Education announced on April 14 its intention to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funds to Harvard University after the Ivy League school declined to meet the White House’s demands regarding new policies on student and faculty conduct and admissions.
Last week, UGent’s Rector, Rik Van de Walle, publicly supported Harvard in this matter, stating, “Political control of universities’ core tasks and silencing of academics is unacceptable in the US and elsewhere. We should never accept politicians having the final say in universities. That is the prerogative of their staff and students.”