Summary
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) declined a federal funding deal from President Trump's administration that linked funding to specific policies. MIT's President Sally Kornbluth stated that the proposed agreement would limit freedom and was not in line with MIT's values. The deal required universities to cap international student enrollment, freeze tuition, and adopt certain definitions and programs.
Key Facts
- MIT was the first university to reject the proposed federal funding deal from President Trump's administration.
- The deal, called the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," required a cap on international student enrollment and a tuition freeze.
- It also mandated that universities adopt federal definitions of gender and not have programs that belittle conservative ideas.
- The proposed deal offered benefits like federal grants for universities that complied.
- The proposal was sent to nine universities including the University of Virginia and Brown University.
- MIT's President said the plan conflicted with the university's principle that funding should be based on merit.
- Other universities like Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania also expressed reservations about the agreement.
- The University of Texas showed some willingness to engage with the proposal.
