White House Proposes 'Compact for Academic Excellence' to Shape US Campuses
The White House has proposed a 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education', outlining its vision for America's campuses. This includes policies on admissions, women's sports, free speech, student discipline, and college affordability. In exchange for signing, top universities would gain priority access to federal funding and events. However, the compact requires annual surveys and penalties for violations.
The Trump administration has invited nine major universities to commit to its priorities, with letters sent to institutions like Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, and MIT. The compact requires universities to commission annual surveys to evaluate adherence, with penalties including loss of benefits for one to two years. Critics, including the American Council on Education (ACE) and 53 other associations, argue that proposed limits on international student loans could disrupt academic timelines and reduce US competitiveness in global higher education. International students have expressed concerns about the changes, including stress and uncertainty.
The 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education' aims to shape US campuses while offering universities priority access to federal funding. However, the proposed rule limiting international student loans has sparked controversy and opposition from higher education associations and students alike.
