petersuber

Trump tries bribery.

"Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/us/politics/trump-college-funding.html

"The White House on Wednesday sent letters to nine of the nation’s top public and private universities, urging campus leaders to pledge support for President Trump’s political agenda to help ensure access to federal research funds."

#Arizona, #Brown, #Dartmouth, #MIT, #Penn, #USC, #Texas, #Vanderbilt, #Virginia

#Academia #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Takedowns #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference

Demands sent to nine top schools included pledging to freeze tuition for five years and to commit to strict definitions of gender.

The New York Times
Oct 2, 2025 at 4:09pmWeb
Show threadpetersuberOct 4, 2025

Update. The American Association of Colleges & Universities (#AACU, @aacu) just issued a statement on #Trump's “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”.
https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/aac-u-statement-on-the-trump-administrations-compact-for-academic-excellence-in-higher-education

"College and university presidents cannot bargain with the essential freedom of colleges and universities to determine, on academic grounds, whom to admit and what is taught, how, and by whom. They cannot trade academic freedom for federal funding—and should not be asked to do so."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

AAC&U Statement on the Trump Administration’s “Compact for… | AAC&U

AAC&U Statement on the Trump Administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”

AAC&U
Show threadpetersuberOct 4, 2025

Update. The #UCalifornia Academic Council unanimously called on the UC President and Regents "to unequivocally reject governmental demands that compromise institutional autonomy and academic freedom."
https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/reports/council-chair-to-president-council-statement-ucla-demand-letter.pdf

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Trump #TrumpVResearch #USPol #USPolitics #Universities

Show threadpetersuberOct 4, 2025

Update. The NYTimes has a good collection of institutional responses as of Oct 2, the day after Trump sent his letter to nine colleges and universities.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/us/trump-universities-compact-funding.html

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Trump Asked Universities to Sign a Compact. Some See a Trap.

Trump officials want universities to sign on to conservative priorities to get special treatment. Some in higher education say agreeing would end academic freedom.

The New York Times
Show threadpetersuberOct 7, 2025

Update. Also see the American Council of Learned Societies (#ACLS) statement on the Trump compact.
https://www.acls.org/news/acls-statement-regarding-white-house-compact-for-academic-excellence-in-higher-education/

"Universities and colleges have one mission: to advance knowledge…Interfering with that process by forcing knowledge to pass through a political filter is a tactic adopted by the Soviet Union and other authoritarian states. The White House is dressing up its compact as a reasonable corrective to what it views as problems in campus culture. Let no one be deceived. This proposal imposes government censorship on academia. It is anti-American, and it weakens our democracy by devaluing academic expertise."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

ACLS Statement Regarding White House “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”

ACLS stands firmly against this latest White House effort to divide faculties by giving special privileges to students in “hard science programs” and its demand that institutions abolish “units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”

ACLS
Show threadpetersuberOct 7, 2025

Update. Forgot to add this important response last week:
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/02/governor-newsom-no-state-funding-for-sell-out-universities/

"Governor #GavinNewsom today [Oct 2] issued the following statement in response to the White House’s proposed “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which ties access to federal funding to radical conservative ideological restrictions on colleges and universities: IF ANY CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY SIGNS THIS RADICAL AGREEMENT, THEY’LL LOSE BILLIONS IN STATE FUNDING — INCLUDING CAL GRANTS — INSTANTLY. CALIFORNIA WILL NOT BANKROLL SCHOOLS THAT SELL OUT THEIR STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, RESEARCHERS, AND SURRENDER ACADEMIC FREEDOM."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #California #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Governor Newsom: No state funding for sell-out universities | Governor of California

State of California

Governor of California
Show threadpetersuberOct 10

Update. The Chronicle of Higher Education is tracking comments from the nine universities that received the Trump threat-bribe.
https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-white-house-sent-its-compact-to-9-universities-heres-what-their-administrators-and-faculty-are-saying
(#paywalled)

Summary: Large faculty groups at each institution urge administrators to reject the deal.

Administrators are saying little beyond the fact that they received the letter and are discussing what to do about it -- with one exception.

The exception is UTexas, where the chair of the Board of Regents, Kevin Eltife (a retired Republican State Senator), said Texas is "honored [to be] named as one of only nine institutions in the US selected by the Trump administration for potential funding advantages under its new 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education'. We enthusiastically look forward to engaging with university officials and reviewing the compact immediately."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Show threadpetersuberOct 10

Update. #MIT just became the first university to reject Trump's compact. Here's the letter from MIT President #SallyKornbluth to faculty, dated today.
https://orgchart.mit.edu/letters/regarding-compact

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Regarding the Compact | MIT Organization Chart

Show threadpetersuberOct 11

Update. After #MIT said 𝗻𝗼 to the Trump compact (yesterday), the Chronicle of Higher Education asked the other eight targeted universities for their reactions.
https://www.chronicle.com/article/what-could-mits-rejection-of-trumps-proposed-compact-mean-for-the-rest-of-higher-ed
(#paywalled)

"Asked for reactions to MIT’s announcement, spokespeople for Brown University, Dartmouth College, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt University had no new information to share. The other recipients — the Universities of Arizona and Pennsylvania — didn’t respond."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

What Could MIT’s Rejection of Trump’s Proposed ‘Compact’ Mean for the Rest of Higher Ed?

President Sally Kornbluth’s decision drew mixed reactions on the campus, while national observers hoped other universities would follow suit.

The Chronicle of Higher Education
Show threadpetersuberOct 14

Update. "Trump Offers All Colleges Preferential Funding Plan Rejected by MIT."
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-13/trump-invites-all-colleges-to-join-compact-after-mit-s-rejection
(#paywalled)

"The Trump administration is inviting all US colleges to participate in a compact — initially rejected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — that would grant preferential federal funding in return for commitments to specific policy changes like DEI bans, according to a person familiar with the matter…Trump has said that colleges who reject the deal will face investigations into compliance with federal laws, but the extent to which federal research grants or student aid eligibility will be predicated on acceptance of the accord remains murky."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Show threadpetersuberOct 14

Update. If you've heard that Trump "offered" his compact to all US colleges and universities, and your institution didn't receive the Trump letter, here's why. Trump didn't use letters. He used this Truth Social post:
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115362973187528235

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that, "A source at the Department of Education confirmed Tuesday that a Truth Social post from President Trump was intended to be an invitation to higher ed. 'We welcome any institution that wants to adopt these principles to sign the compact,' wrote the source, who declined to go on the record."
https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/the-trump-agenda/trump-welcomes-any-institution-to-sign-onto-compact-outlining-his-priorities
(#paywalled)

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Show threadpetersuberOct 15

Update. #Dartmouth has not yet made a public statement rejecting the Trump compact. But two Dartmouth sources "who asked to speak anonymously…said they participated in a meeting with President Sian Leah Beilock in which…she said 'she would not sign the compact as written.'"
https://www.chronicle.com/article/dartmouths-president-balks-at-trump-compact-sources-say-as-feds-expand-offer-to-any-institution
(#paywalled)

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Show threadpetersuberOct 15

Update. #Brown just rejected the Trump compact. Here's the public letter from Brown President Christina Paxson.
https://www.brown.edu/sites/default/files/brown-response-federal-compact-10-15-2025.pdf

"Brown’s existing agreement with the federal government expressly affirms the government’s lack of authority to dictate our curriculum or the content of academic speech -- a principle that is not reflected in the Compact."

h/t #WilliamCross

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Show threadpetersuberOct 17

Update. #Penn just rejected the Trump pact (Oct 16). Here's the public letter from UPenn President J. Larry Jameson.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/update-penns-response-compact-academic-excellence

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

An Update on Penn’s Response to the Compact for Academic Excellence | Penn Today

To the Penn Community:For 285 years, Penn has been anchored and guided by continuous self-improvement, using education as a ladder for opportunity, and advancing discoveries that serve our community, our nation, and the world.

Penn Today
Show threadpetersuberOct 17

Update. The U of Southern California just rejected the Trump compact (Oct 16). Here's the public letter from #USC interim president Beong-Soo Kim.
https://we-are.usc.edu/2025/10/16/update-from-interim-president-kim/

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Update from Interim President Kim

Earlier today, I sent this letter to the U.S. Department of Education regarding the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. I appreciate the various points of view shared with me by many members of our community. Although USC has declined to join the proposed Compact, we look forward to contributing our perspectives, insights, and Trojan values to an important national conversation about the future of higher education.CommunityEmployeesFacultyPresidentStudents

We Are SC
Show threadpetersuberOct 18

Update. The U of Virginia just rejected the Trump compact (Oct 17). Here's the public letter from #UVa interim President Paul Mahoney.
https://news.virginia.edu/content/community-message-interim-president-paul-mahoney

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Community message from interim President Paul Mahoney

On Friday, the University of Virginia sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education saying it would not seek special treatment in pursuing its foundational goals. Shortly after, Mahoney sent this message to the University community.

UVA Today
Show threadpetersuberOct 19

Update. #Dartmouth just rejected the Trump compact (Oct 18). Here's the public letter from Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock.
https://president.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/10/dartmouths-feedback-compact

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Dartmouth's Feedback on the Compact | Office of the President

Show threadpetersuberOct 21

Update. The U of Arizona just rejected the Trump compact (Oct 20). Here's the public letter from #UArizona President Suresh Garimella.
https://president.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2025-10/Suresh-Garimella-to-Sec-Linda-McMahon.pdf

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Show threadpetersuberOct 21

Update. From Barbara Snyder, President of the Association of American Universities (#AAU), on the Trump compact:
https://www.aau.edu/newsroom/press-releases/statement-aau-president-administrations-higher-education-compact

"Federal support for higher education must never be tied to ideological alignment with any administration."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Statement of AAU President Barbara R. Snyder on the Administration’s Higher Education Compact | Association of American Universities (AAU)

AAU President Barbara R. Snyder issued a statement regarding the administration's recently proposed higher education compact.

Association of American Universities (AAU)
Show threadpetersuberOct 21

Update. #Vanderbilt has not yet accepted or rejected the Trump compact. But Chancellor Daniel Diermeier just released a vague and inconclusive open letter on where it stands.
https://t.e2ma.net/message/tu4xiq/5vxmu1ke

"Last Friday, Vanderbilt participated in a discussion with members of the administration and other university leaders about shaping a productive process for providing such comments. We expect to share our input with the administration through that process. Our response will be grounded in our long-held principles and values…Vanderbilt believes deeply in the power of constructive dialogue."

The letter is undated (why?) but the Chronicle reports that it was made public on Oct 20.
https://www.chronicle.com/article/compact-live-updates-more-colleges-weigh-responses-as-deadline-for-feedback-looms

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

email : Webview : Vanderbilt and the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education

Show threadpetersuberOct 21

Update. Like Vanderbilt (above), #WashingtonU has not not accepted or rejected the Trump compact. But also like Vanderbilt, its Chancellor, Andrew Martin, just released a vague and inconclusive statement on where it stands (Oct 20).
https://andrewdmartin.washu.edu/washu-to-join-conversation-about-the-future-of-higher-education/

"We believe it is in the best interest of our university, and higher education more broadly, for us to participate constructively, share our experience and expertise, and help inform policies that strengthen the nation’s research and education ecosystem…We firmly believe meaningful progress will best be achieved through open, ongoing dialogue."

#Academia #AcademicFreedom #AcademicMastodon #Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #TrumpVResearch #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

WashU to join conversation about the future of higher education - Office of the Chancellor

WashU has been invited by the federal administration to participate in a conversation about the future of higher education, and that we have accepted the invitation.

Office of the Chancellor
Show threadProScience 🇪🇺Oct 21

@petersuber

has taken her pretty long to say it oiut loud. Better now than never, I suppose.

Show threadEric R. ScottOct 21
@petersuber Pretty weak "rejection" though if you ask me.
Show threadresistance.websiteOct 15
@petersuber mindblowing that there are actually people on truthsocial, using it. There's a whole other hate filled world out there
Show threadcognitively accessible mathOct 17
@petersuber I also give credit to places just ignoring it, then.
Show threadMisuse CaseOct 14
@petersuber @KimPerales I hope all these institutions understand by now that you can’t trust Trump when he says “I’ll give you money if you do this thing for me.”
Show threadJohn Mark OckerbloomOct 10
@petersuber Does it discuss Dartmouth's response at all? An early report made it sound like the president was rejecting the deal, but later things I've seen suggest the response was more equivocal.
Show threadpetersuberOct 10
@JMarkOckerbloom
The Dartmouth President, Sian Leah Beilock, made this inconclusive statement: "I am deeply committed to Dartmouth’s academic mission and values and will always defend our fierce independence. You have often heard me say that higher education is not perfect and that we can do better. At the same time, we will never compromise our academic freedom and our ability to govern ourselves.”
Show thread@pineywoozle ‘s #3WordNoteOct 17
@petersuber That is the perfect blue state response!
Show threadMelmas SenfOct 2, 2025
@petersuber In Germany this was called "Gleichschaltung"
Show threadJames GleickOct 2, 2025
@petersuber Extortion, more like.