One Explanation for the Decline in Participation

Your article “Annual Giving Raises $68.4 Million But Participation Continues Decline” acknowledges the precipitous decline in Annual Giving participation among alumni in recent years. I searched in vain for any explanation for this phenomenon. Let me provide one, which I have repeatedly voiced in response to the inevitable call annually from either a class representative or an energetic current student: While Princeton (and universities in general) have long been bastions of liberalism, it has become abundantly clear in the past decade that Princeton (and universities in general) has become an incubator for progressive causes rather than a place for dispassionate learning on the foundation of a free expression of ideas. The article states that “unrestricted gifts to Princeton through Annual Giving directly support the University’s educational mission.” With progressives far outnumbering conservatives among faculty (sometimes by a 10 to 1 ratio), I can no longer in good conscience lend my support to an “educational mission” with which I disagree.