President Trump’s offer to universities, as outlined in the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” sparked much criticism, discussion and a wave of closely watched rejections. Inside Higher Ed is following the response to the compact and the administration’s actions related to it. Catch up below on our news coverage and opinion pieces.
The document would require signatories to make sweeping changes to policies and practices. A number of institutions have already said no, and more responses are expected.
Universities that rejected the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education emphasized merit in their responses and highlighted core values in turning it down.
Higher ed organizations have raised alarm over a federal government document that asks universities to agree to significant restrictions without specifying what they’ll gain—or what they’ll lose for refusing.
The sector has overwhelmingly panned Trump’s plan to give preferential treatment to universities that commit to his policies. So have some conservative leaders.
Facing the possibility that more colleges could reject its wide-ranging deal, the Trump administration opened up the offer to more institutions. Whether any will sign is unclear.
MIT is the first institution to reject a proposal by the Trump administration that would trade preferential treatment on federal funding for far-reaching changes.
The universities follow the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brown University in rejecting the Trump administration’s proposal that would require sweeping changes.
The University of Virginia is the first public, and Southern, institution to publicly turn down the administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”
No self-respecting institution of higher education should accept the Trump administration’s unconstitutional terms, Robert Post and Tom Ginsburg write.
Monday’s deadline to provide feedback on the Trump administration’s proposed deal passed with no signatories and silence from some university leaders invited to join.
Experts say the mixed messaging reflects confusion over the Trump administration’s muddled rollout of the agreement and a desire to keep all options open.
