Universities Reject Trump’s Academic Excellence Compact
Of the nine universities approached by the Trump administration regarding the Compact for Academic Excellence in Education, seven have rejected the proposal, and two have yet to respond.
On October 1, the administration sent the agreement to institutions including the University of Arizona, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Virginia.
The agreement’s principles emphasize merit-based admissions and hiring, freedom of thought, and a commitment to recognizing biological sex in athletics and facilities. It also includes calls for political neutrality and limits on admissions for international students.
Universities that sign on would qualify for preferential federal funding. Despite the deadline passing, none agreed to the terms, providing instead feedback critical of the agreement.
For instance, Brown University’s president, Christina Paxson, expressed concerns that the agreement would hinder academic freedom and governance. MIT’s president, Sally Kornbluth, stated that the institution already embodies the core values outlined in the proposal.
Furthermore, President J. Larry Jameson of the University of Pennsylvania confirmed the rejection, citing existing policies that already align with the administration’s goals while also highlighting significant concerns about the agreement’s implications.
Dartmouth College articulated its rejection by emphasizing government involvement’s potential risks to academic integrity, stating that fostering a focus on teaching and research should be prioritized without federal constraints.
The University of Southern California acknowledged similarities between its values and those proposed in the Compact but chose not to sign, raising concerns about the long-term implications for academic inquiry.
Similarly, the University of Virginia’s interim president pointed out that any agreements based on evaluations other than merit risk diminishing the integrity of crucial research. The University of Arizona also declined, although they noted shared principles with the Compact.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University mentioned having not been asked to accept or reject the proposed agreement outright but indicated a willingness to provide feedback. The university emphasized the importance of dialogue, especially among differing viewpoints.
The University of Texas at Austin has yet to formally respond, although its board chair expressed eagerness to review the agreement and collaborate with university officials moving forward.
