Inside Higher Ed: A University President Backs McCain
Institutional neutrality is the much-invoked principle by which colleges and universities rarely take stands on public issues that don’t directly relate to higher education. Presidents — especially at public institutions — tend to invoke the principle in various forms with some regularity, trying not to speak out on causes bound to offend someone when they want as much support as possible on college budgets or other measures.
It’s that background that explains why many long-time followers of higher education and politics were stunned to learn that Bernie Machen, president of the University of Florida, has endorsed Sen. John McCain’s presidential bid. While the endorsement, released by the McCain campaign, included the expected “should in no way be construed as an endorsement by the University of Florida” line at the end of the announcement, the headline was pretty clear: “University of Florida President Bernie Machen Endorses John McCain for President.”
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