A Yale report blamed universities for declining public trust. Princeton professors are divided.

Yale University released a report on April 10, commissioned by President Maurie McInnis in April 2025, that blamed universities for declining public trust. The report listed 20 recommendations, including changing Yale's mission statement and increasing transparency around admissions processes. Yale narrowed its mission statement on Thursday in line with the report's recommendation. Princeton professors are divided on the report's findings, with some questioning whether universities are responsible for the decline in trust. Dean of the College Michael Gordin expressed skepticism, stating that the decline in trust may be due to broader factors. Princeton politics professor Jan-Werner Müller defined trust as requiring competence and goodwill, and believed that transparency removes the need for trust.