Summary
Seven universities have turned down President Trump's proposal for a "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," which offered preferential funding in return for specific policy changes. The proposed changes included limits on international student enrollment, strict definitions of gender, a tuition freeze, merit-based hiring, and bans on considering race and gender in admissions. The universities preferred to maintain their current practices rather than agree to these conditions.
Key Facts
- Seven out of nine universities rejected the compact offered by the Trump administration.
- The compact proposed limiting international student enrollment and enforcing strict gender definitions.
- Other conditions included a five-year tuition freeze and merit-based faculty hiring.
- If accepted, universities would get priority for federal funding and White House events.
- The University of Arizona, Brown University, Dartmouth, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, and the University of Virginia rejected the offer.
- Vanderbilt University showed willingness to discuss further, while the University of Texas might consider the offer.
- University leaders argued that funding should be based on merit, not compact agreements.
- A group of over 24 education organizations opposed the compact, claiming it harms higher education.
