Introduction to the Controversy
The University of Southern California on Thursday rejected the controversial education compact the Trump administration offered it and eight other schools, saying it would undermine “values of free inquiry and academic excellence.” USC interim President Beong-Soo Kim said in a statement that he had sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education turning down the Trump offer, which would give priority research funding access to universities that agree to follow the president’s mostly conservative vision of higher education.
The Compact’s Provisions and Concerns
The compact requires universities to make a range of commitments in line with Trump’s political agenda. It calls on universities to accept the government’s definition of gender — two sexes, male and female — and bans colleges from recognizing transgender people’s gender identities. Foreign student enrollment would be restricted. The compact also stipulates a five-year tuition freeze for U.S. students. It asks colleges to require the SAT or ACT for all undergraduate applicants and to eliminate race, sex and other characteristics from admissions decisions. As for 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.
Reaction from the University Community
Kim’s letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon said that the university had concerns about the Trump administration’s offer. “We are concerned that even though the Compact would be voluntary, tying research benefits to it would, over time, undermine the same values of free inquiry and academic excellence that the Compact seeks to promote,” Kim wrote. Some faculty members who opposed the compact said they were pleased with Kim’s decision. Sanjay Madhav, an associate professor of practice at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, said, “This shows that when a broad coalition of faculty, students, staff, and workers comes together at USC and across the country, we can affect institutional change.”
External Reactions and Implications
The compact has roiled higher education and drawn the ire of Gov. Gavin Newsom with its demands for rightward campus policy shifts in exchange for priority federal funding and other benefits. Newsom had aggressively weighed in, challenging USC “to do the right thing” and reject the offer. He threatened to withhold state funding to any California university that agrees to it. The University of Texas suggested earlier this month that it could agree to Trump’s 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 statement from Kevin Eltife, chair of the board of regents.
Conclusion
The rejection of the Trump education compact by the University of Southern California reflects the institution’s commitment to academic freedom and excellence. The compact’s provisions, aimed at shifting universities to the right, have been widely criticized for undermining these values. As the debate over the compact continues, it is clear that the future of higher education hangs in the balance. The decision by USC and other universities to reject the compact is a significant step in the battle to protect academic freedom and promote a vibrant marketplace of ideas.
FAQs
- Q: What is the Trump education compact?
A: The Trump education compact is an agreement offered by the Trump administration to nine universities, including the University of Southern California, that would give priority research funding access to universities that agree to follow the president’s mostly conservative vision of higher education. - Q: Why did USC reject the compact?
A: USC rejected the compact because it would undermine the values of free inquiry and academic excellence. The university is concerned that tying research benefits to the compact would, over time, undermine these values. - Q: What are the provisions of the compact?
A: The compact requires universities to accept the government’s definition of gender, restrict foreign student enrollment, stipulate a five-year tuition freeze for U.S. students, require the SAT or ACT for all undergraduate applicants, and eliminate race, sex, and other characteristics from admissions decisions. - Q: How has the university community reacted to the rejection of the compact?
A: The university community, including faculty members and students, has reacted positively to the rejection of the compact, seeing it as a victory for academic freedom and a commitment to the values of free inquiry and academic excellence.
