Brown University became the second of nine universities to reject the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” Wednesday, following the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s similar decision last week. The University of Virginia has not yet announced whether it will sign the Compact which was sent to nine institutions Oct. 1 and which ties increased federal funding to a set of principles surrounding admissions, hiring and campus policies.
The University of Virginia and the seven other universities — Dartmouth College, Vanderbilt University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas and the University of Arizona — have until Oct. 20 to submit feedback on the Compact, and until Nov. 21 to sign the Compact.
The Compact’s conditions include a five-year tuition freeze, bans on considering race or sex in admissions and hiring, a 15 percent cap on international undergraduate enrollment, required standardized testing, and limits on grade inflation. It also calls on universities to uphold “institutional neutrality,” which restricts political statements made on behalf of the school, and to promote what it describes as a “marketplace of ideas.”
By signing on to this agreement, universities would be subject to review by the Justice Department for adherence, in exchange for increased access to federal funding and partnerships.
Brown President Christina Paxson sent a letter to the White House Wednesday, in which she noted that while she appreciated the relationship between the federal government and higher education, her concerns about Brown’s academic freedom and autonomy led to the decision not to sign the agreement. Paxson also raised questions about the idea of providing funding based on adherence to requirements other than merit.
“A fundamental part of academic excellence is awarding research funding on the merits of the research being proposed,” Paxson’s letter read. “The cover letter describing the Compact contemplates funding research on criteria other than the soundness and likely impact of research, which would ultimately damage the health and prosperity of Americans.”
In a letter to the Trump administration sent Oct. 10, MIT President Sally Kornbluth cited the university’s values such as rewarding merit and free expression as reasons for their decision to reject the Compact. Kornbluth said that MIT already meets or exceeds the standards outlined in the Compact and will continue to do so without obligation.
“The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution,” Kornbluth wrote.
Although only two institutions have rejected the compact, student government representatives from Dartmouth, MIT, the University of Arizona, the University of Pennsylvania and U.Va. in addition to the full student council of Brown and Vanderbilt released a joint statement Oct. 9 expressing their opposition to the Compact.
“As student representatives, we stand in united opposition to the outlined conditions,” the statement read. “We call on our community of students, faculty, alumni, and leadership to reaffirm our commitment to reject political interference and federal overreach. Academic freedom is not negotiable.”
In issuing this statement, the student leaders noted that they represented the “full spectrum” of American higher education. They referred specifically to the issue of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, noting that while the Compact itself touts American higher education as the “envy of the world,” it ultimately undermines the foundation of this greatness.
“Our administrations have been presented with a false choice between their commitments to knowledge and education and our access to the resources that sustain them,” the statement read. “To preserve our status as world leaders in education, we must remain true to the foundation of academic freedom that has propelled us forward.”
While the University has not yet decided whether to adopt the Compact, the Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution opposing it Oct. 3. University Interim President Paul Mahoney and Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan released a joint statement Oct. 6, confirming that the University is still reviewing the proposal and has created a working group to evaluate it.
“It would be difficult for the University to agree to certain provisions in the Compact,” the statement read. “We write to assure you that our response will be guided by the same principles of academic freedom and free inquiry that Thomas Jefferson placed at the center of the University’s mission more than 200 years ago, and to which the University has remained faithful ever since.”
The statement also contained a survey inviting feedback from members of the University community, and the responses will be provided to the working group established by Mahoney. Jennifer Wagner Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Brie Gertler, interim executive vice president and provost, are leading the group. University Counsel Cliff Iler is also a member, although other members of the group have not been publicly named.
Several other invited universities have not responded yet but have issued public statements. While Dartmouth has not officially announced whether it will agree to the Compact, College President Sian Leah Beilock published a statement Oct. 3 emphasizing Dartmouth’s commitment to its independence.
“You have often heard me say that higher education is not perfect and that we can do better. At the same time, we will never compromise our academic freedom and our ability to govern ourselves,” Beilock wrote.
Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania has not made an official decision, but released a statement noting their consideration of the agreement.
“The long-standing partnership with the federal government in both education and research has yielded tremendous benefits for our nation. Penn seeks no special consideration. We strive to be supported based on the excellence of our work, our scholars, and students, and the programs and services we provide to our neighbors and to the world.” the University of Pennsylvania statement read.
The University of Southern California similarly issued an update Oct. 3 which notified the community that they were reviewing the proposal and would consult with members throughout their community regarding the Compact.
While UT-Austin has yet to release an official statement about signing the Compact, Kevin Eltife, the UT System Board of Regents Chair, expressed enthusiasm for the Compact.
“We enthusiastically look forward to engaging with university officials and reviewing the Compact immediately,” Eltife said.
At Vanderbilt University, no official statement has been released by the administration. However, the university’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution Oct. 8 opposing the Compact.
The University of Arizona has likewise remained silent, issuing no public statements.
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