Over 150 U.S. colleges – including Ivy League universities Harvard, Princeton and Yale – have signed an open letter opposing what they call "unprecedented government overreach," in demand for change at schools across the country.

While the letter doesn't specifically name President Trump or his administration, it follows their demand that Harvard either comply with such demands as ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hiring practices, or risking losing $2.2 billion in federal funding. Harvard has refused to comply and has taken the matter to court. 

"We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education," the letter reads. "We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight."

The other Ivy League universities that signed the letter are Brown and Cornell, and Dartmouth College.

Others who signed include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke and Rutgers universities. 

"We must oppose undue government intrusion into the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses. We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding," the letter continues.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities President Lynn Pasquerella told The Guardian that there was "widespread agreement" among colleges and universities about the need to take a collective stand against a "strategy designed to overwhelm campus leaders with a constant barrage of directives, executive orders and policy announcements."

Trump has also suggested Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status. And the Department of Homeland Security also vowed to ban Harvard from hosting international students.