Latest from the White House (October 28)

Universities Reject Trump’s Higher Education Compact

As previously reported, nine of the nation’s leading research universities received letters from the White House earlier this month urging that they agree to the Administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The Compact lays out several conditions that align with the President’s agenda and ideology. In exchange, universities that sign on would perceive preferential treatment for federal funding, including research grants. The original nine universities were given until October 20 to respond with feedback.

Since then, MIT was the first university to officially reject the offer, stating “In our view, America’s leadership in science and innovation depends on independent thinking and open competition for excellence… Therefore, with respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to addressing the issues facing higher education.”

Six other universities provided similar feedback in their public statements and responses to the Administration, including Brown University, University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Dartmouth University, and the University of Arizona. Two of the nine universities have yet to publicly state whether they plan to sign the compact, including the University of Texas, Austin and Vanderbilt University. However, UT Austin is reported to be in discussion with the White House.

Earlier this month the White House opened the compact up to other higher education institutions, inviting sign on. As of this writing, only the New College of Florida, a small liberal arts college, has reportedly stated its intent to sign.