Title: The Compact’s Controversy: A Closer Look at Trump Administration’s Higher Education Priorities The deadline for universities to sign onto President Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” is fast approaching, and the response from institutions has been overwhelmingly negative. Out of nine colleges initially approached by the administration, six have publicly stated that they will not be signing on to this agreement. The Compact, which was sent out on October 1st, includes a list of commitments that align with Trump’s political priorities in exchange for preferential access to federal funds. Among these requirements are restrictions on transgender students’ restroom and sports participation rights, freezing tuition rates for five years, limiting international student enrollment, and mandating standardized tests for admissions purposes. MIT was the first institution to publicly reject the Compact, with President Sally Kornbluth writing a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon stating that “the document includes principles with which we disagree” and contradicts MIT’s belief in scientific funding based solely on merit. This sentiment has been echoed by other universities such as Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California who have also declined to sign the Compact. President Trump responded to these rejections by stating that all colleges would be able to sign onto the agreement, not just those initially approached. However, this has done little to change the minds of universities already opposed to the terms laid out in the Compact. The University of Arizona, the University of Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt University, and Dartmouth College are among those who have yet to send rejection notices but attended a virtual meeting with White House officials last Friday. The implications of this situation extend beyond just higher education institutions; it also raises questions about how political agendas may influence funding decisions in other sectors. As we await the final outcome, one thing is clear: The Compact for Academic Excellence has sparked a significant debate over academic freedom and institutional autonomy within American universities. From my perspective, this controversy highlights the importance of maintaining an independent stance when it comes to matters affecting higher education institutions. Universities should be allowed to focus on their core mission – providing quality education without being swayed by external political pressures or agendas. It is crucial that academic freedom and institutional autonomy are preserved so that universities can continue to thrive as centers of knowledge, innovation, and critical thinking.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/10/20/nx-s1-5579618/trump-college-university-compact-uva-mit-dartmouth)
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