Elite universities have enormous power to shape society. But today, the academic social contract — the implicit bargain between universities and society — is broken. Fixated on exclusivity and prestige, elite colleges have drifted from their obligation to serve as pillars of democracy, engines of opportunity, and champions of the common good. As a result, America's trust in these institutions has plummeted.

Now, the Trump administration is exploiting public mistrust for political ends, jeopardizing academic freedom and the capacity for universities to promote critical inquiry and open intellectual exchange.

Rather than rally to defend a broken status quo, the best way to protect higher education is by organizing around a bold and pragmatic vision for the future. Reimagining Elite Higher Education is convening student, alumni, faculty, and civil society leaders at Yale Law School to propose a new academic social contract: one that rebuilds public trust by embracing inclusion over exclusivity, public service over private gain, and opportunity over inherited advantage.

This is more than a conference. It’s a chance to set a shared vision, build lasting relationships across campuses, and launch coordinated campaigns to reshape higher education for our generation.