Colleges Challenge Trump’s Compact as Deadline Nears: NPR

The deadline for universities to consider the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is fast approaching. The compact, first proposed on October 1, outlines specific commitments in exchange for favorable access to federal grants. A total of nine colleges received the initial proposal, but as the deadline looms, only three have announced they will adhere to the conditions.

Details of the Compact

The compact requires participating institutions to:

• Restrict transgender individuals from using facilities aligned with their gender identity.
• Freeze tuition prices for a five-year period.
• Limit enrollment of international students.
• Mandate standardized testing for student admissions.

Institutional Responses

As of Sunday night, six of the nine targeted universities have publicly rejected the compact. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was the first to object. President Sally Kornbluth stated that the principles outlined conflicted with MIT’s core belief in scientific merit for funding.

Other institutions, including Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California, also declined the offer, emphasizing their disagreement with its terms.

Subsequent Developments

The White House engaged in a virtual meeting on Friday with colleges that had not yet revealed their decisions. Institutions such as the University of Virginia (UVA) and Dartmouth College, both of which attended the meeting,also declared their refusal to sign the compact shortly afterward.

Interim President of UVA, Paul Mahoney, conveyed concerns about the integrity of academic research, arguing that merit should be the sole basis for federal funding. Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such a compact in achieving academic excellence.

Context and Implications

The Trump administration has previously faced criticism for its policies, leading to the cancellation of billions in federal research grants across various universities. Issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as responses to campus extremism, have been pivotal.

As the situation develops, the outcome of the compact remains uncertain. Institutions are weighing the pros and cons of participation against their foundational principles.