The Influence of Wealthy Donors on College Politics

Turmoil at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University highlights a new playbook for how wealthy donors are exerting influence in higher education. A new class of donors, often in the prime of their careers, are more outspoken about politics and willing to wage war on social media to effect change. These donors are increasingly engaging with expectations of a wider role in university life, threatening to withhold donations and demanding changes in governance and policies. The public nature of their pushback represents a shift in donor behavior, with many donors seeking to control academic decisions and determine what is taught. This trend raises concerns about the influence of money on university affairs and the potential loss of academic autonomy.