The Battle for Academic Freedom and Institutional Sovereignty in Higher Education
The ongoing struggle for academic freedom and institutional sovereignty in higher education has taken a new turn as another university has rejected a White House offer for expanded federal funding in exchange for agreeing to a series of demands. On Thursday, the University of Pennsylvania declined an offer from the Trump administration to join a compact that would potentially give preferential funding in return for changes to school policies.
The proposed changes include no longer considering sex and ethnicity in admissions decisions and capping international student enrollment. This offer was part of letters sent earlier this month to nine universities nationwide.
Universities Receiving the White House Proposal
The compact aims at “the proactive improvement of higher education for the betterment of the country,” according to a letter sent to the institutions. Out of the nine schools approached, only the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have formally rejected the proposal.
The nine universities contacted are:
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Dartmouth College
- University of Southern California
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Arizona
- Brown University
- University of Virginia
Several have experienced funding disputes with the administration previously, and responses vary, with some schools still reviewing the offer and others yet to comment publicly.
What the Compact Entails
Letters sent on October 1 ask universities to agree to a series of demands in exchange for expanded federal funding access. The administration’s goal is to promote “a vibrant marketplace of ideas on campus” without dominance of any single ideology, politically or otherwise.
Key demands outlined in the compact include:
- Removing sex and ethnicity as factors in admissions decisions.
- Implementing a 15% cap on international student enrollment.
- Adopting definitions of gender “according to reproductive function and biological processes.”
- Assessing viewpoints of faculty and staff.
- Reforming or closing institutional units that allegedly punish or incite violence against conservative ideas.
- Committing to “grade integrity.”
- Implementing a mandatory five-year freeze on tuition costs.
- Participation in an annual anonymous poll to ensure compliance with the compact.
Universities that sign on would receive preferential treatment in federal grants where possible, invitations to White House events, and discussions with government officials. However, the compact was described as being “largely in its final form,” with an expected deadline for initial signatories of November 21, 2025.
The Stakes for Universities
Colleges and universities have been consistent targets of the Trump administration’s efforts to assert ideological control during its second term. Many universities receiving the letters have been involved in funding battles since the administration took office.
While some institutions have made concessions or agreements with the government, others continue to resist despite pressures including government investigations and revocation of grants. Notably, universities targeted by the administration have increased their federal lobbying efforts significantly, with CNN analysis showing a 122% rise in lobbying expenses in the second quarter of this year compared to the previous year.
A White House official stated that signing the compact would provide universities with a “competitive advantage” and yield “multiple positive benefits,” such as increased overhead payments, substantial federal grants, and other partnerships.
University Responses to the Compact
Of the nine universities contacted, only three have formally declined the offer: MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, and Brown University.
University of Pennsylvania: President J. Larry Jameson informed the Department of Education of Penn’s decision after gathering input from faculty, students, trustees, and others. He noted that the university provided focused feedback highlighting areas of alignment as well as significant concerns.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): On October 10, President Sally Kornbluth rejected the compact, emphasizing the vital importance of the issues but stating that the compact’s principles would ultimately “restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution.”
Brown University: President Christina H. Paxson conveyed in a letter that Brown plans to continue abiding by a previous agreement reached in July but views this new compact as restrictive to academic freedom and university governance autonomy.
Other universities are still evaluating the offer:
- Vanderbilt University and University of Arizona have said they are reviewing the compact, with Arizona’s president noting diverse reactions among stakeholders.
- University of Virginia created a working group to assess the proposal but indicated difficulty agreeing to certain provisions.
- Dartmouth College President Sian Leah Beilock emphasized the school’s unwavering commitment to academic freedom and self-governance but has not announced a formal stance.
- University of Texas at Austin expressed a more positive tone, welcoming the opportunity and looking forward to collaboration with the administration without confirming if it will sign.
- University of Southern California has not commented publicly. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened to withhold state funding from universities that accept the compact.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s proposal represents one of the most significant attempts to influence American higher education policy in recent years, challenging the balance between federal funding and institutional autonomy. As universities deliberate their responses, the outcome will likely have lasting implications for academic freedom, campus diversity, and the relationship between educational institutions and the federal government.
