Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Newsom chides USC to ‘do the right thing’ for academic freedom and resist Trump campus compact

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Introduction to the Controversy

Gov. Newsom on Friday waded further into the controversy surrounding a higher education compact President Trump has presented to nine universities including USC, chiding campus leadership to “do the right thing” and reject the offer. The compact, sent Wednesday to the University of Southern California and other campuses nationwide, has roiled higher education with its demands for rightward campus policy shifts in exchange for priority federal funding.

The Compact’s Demands and Newsom’s Response

On Thursday, Newsom swung back at the Trump proposal and threatened to cut “billions” of dollars in state funding to any California university that agrees to it. Newsom offered fiery remarks during a bill signing at UC Berkeley on Friday, escalating the stakes in the high-pressure decision confronting USC. “Do the right thing,” he said. “What’s the point of the system? What’s the point of the university? What’s the point of all of this if we don’t have academic freedom? … It’s not a choice, and the fact that I felt I needed to even send that message is rather shocking, because some people think it is.” Newsom scoffed at the notion that USC, a private institution, even has to deliberate over the Trump offer — calling it a “false choice.”

The Compact’s Conservative Goals

The White House offer to USC and a small group of prominent universities — among them the University of Arizona, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas and Brown University — calls on campuses to follow Trump’s views on admissions, diversity and free speech, among other areas. In exchange, they would get more favorable access to federal research grants and additional funding, in addition to other benefits. Universities would also have to accept the government’s definition of gender and would not be allowed to recognize transgender people’s gender identities. Foreign student enrollment would be restricted. In regards to free speech, schools would have to commit to promoting a wide range of views on campus — and change or abolish “institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas,” according to the compact.

USC’s Response and Newsom’s Pressure

In a campus letter Friday, USC interim President Beong-Soo Kim said the White House offer “covers a number of issues that I believe are important to study and discuss.” “I have already heard from several members of our community, and in the weeks ahead, I will be consulting with the Board of Trustees; the deans and leadership team; and members of the Academic Senate, the Academic Freedom Task Force, the President’s Faculty Advisory Committee, and other stakeholder groups to hear their wide-ranging perspectives,” Kim said. “These conversations can take time, but they are essential to building trust and community.” He said it was his responsibility to “advance USC’s mission and uphold our core values.” Speaking at the Berkeley event, Newsom said USC is among California’s “great universities” that are “all in this together” as campuses face an uncertain and rocky future amid the Trump presidency.

UC Negotiations Ongoing

In response to a question about the proposal to USC and whether Newsom would issue the same threat of removing state funding to UCLA — the subject of ongoing negotiations over a sprawling U.S. Department of Justice antisemitism investigation — the governor said he was “not concerned” about the UC system. “I’m not concerned about their capacity to organize a strategy that’s thoughtful and deliberative that maintains our values … without resorting to the kind of expressed concerns that I have about the university in question that was on that list,” Newsom said. As UCLA continues to negotiate with the Trump administration, Newsom said he has confidence in the university system, whose leaders have been working “collaboratively for weeks” to come to a resolution.

USC Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Rick Hess, an education analyst with the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, said Newsom’s remarks “seemed not inappropriate.” “If a [Kamala] Harris administration had tried something like this, I think Republican governors would be equally livid,” said Hess, director of the institute’s education policy studies. “USC is between a rock and a hard place,” Hess added. “If they say no, what does any of this mean? What does it mean to not be prioritized for federal research funds? Does that mean the tap will be shut off? On the other hand, once you’ve signed … will the administration abide by the promises it has made? Part of the problem is, it is not entirely clear what it means to say yes and what it means to say no.” Newsom blasted institutions that have already “sold out” by signing Trump’s compact. The University of Texas has suggested it could agree to the terms. Leaders of the Texas system were “honored” that the Austin campus was chosen to be a part of the compact and its “potential funding advantages,” according to a Thursday statement from Kevin Eltife, chair of the board of regents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Trump compact has ignited a fierce debate over academic freedom, diversity, and free speech on college campuses. Newsom’s strong stance against the compact and his threat to cut state funding to universities that sign on has added pressure to the situation. As USC and other universities weigh their options, they must consider the potential consequences of their decisions on their students, faculty, and the future of higher education.

FAQs

Q: What is the Trump compact, and what are its demands?
A: The Trump compact is a proposal sent to nine universities, including USC, that demands rightward campus policy shifts in exchange for priority federal funding. The compact calls on campuses to follow Trump’s views on admissions, diversity, and free speech, among other areas.
Q: What are the potential consequences for universities that sign the compact?
A: Universities that sign the compact may face backlash from students, faculty, and the community, and may be seen as compromising their academic freedom and values. Additionally, the compact’s demands may limit the ability of universities to promote diversity and inclusion on campus.
Q: What is Newsom’s stance on the compact, and what has he threatened to do?
A: Newsom has strongly opposed the compact and has threatened to cut "billions" of dollars in state funding to any California university that agrees to it. He has also encouraged universities to "do the right thing" and reject the compact.
Q: How have other universities responded to the compact?
A: Some universities, such as the University of Texas, have suggested that they may agree to the compact’s terms. Others, such as UCLA, are currently negotiating with the Trump administration over the compact’s demands.
Q: What are the implications of the compact for the future of higher education?
A: The compact has significant implications for the future of higher education, as it may limit the ability of universities to promote diversity, inclusion, and academic freedom on campus. It may also lead to a shift in the balance of power between universities and the federal government, with the government exerting more control over university policies and practices.

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