Post by : Rameen Ariff

New York: Brown University has opted not to join a new educational pact proposed by the White House, marking its position as the second prestigious institution to do so after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The initiative, known as the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, aimed to offer preferential federal funding to participating universities that embraced certain policy alterations.

In a letter sent to White House representatives on Wednesday, Brown President Christina Paxson articulated her concerns, noting that the compact could curtail academic freedom and interfere with the university's governance independence. She highlighted the possibility of this agreement meddling with merit-based research funding and restricting Brown's ability to establish its own policies for students and faculty.

The compact reportedly proposed that universities impose restrictions such as banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and limiting the enrollment of international students. While the White House promotes the compact as a means to “reinvigorate academic excellence and logic” within higher education, many university leaders perceive it as an infringement on their autonomy.

The compact was initially offered to a total of nine universities on October 1. Aside from MIT and Brown, the remaining seven institutions — the University of Virginia, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Arizona, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, and Dartmouth College — have not yet stated their intentions publicly.

University officials have warned that institutions opting out of the compact could come under heightened scrutiny regarding compliance with federal regulations. However, it remains uncertain whether acceptance of the agreement would have implications for federally funded research or student aid eligibility.

Earlier, Brown had entered into a separate agreement with the White House in July, which resulted in the release of hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen research funds, along with a $50 million investment aimed at workforce training in Rhode Island. Paxson indicated that the compact stands in contradiction to this prior agreement, which focused on upholding Brown's fundamental academic values without encroaching on course content or curriculum.

A White House official, who requested anonymity, clarified that the July agreement addressed historical concerns, whereas the compact seeks future funding and collaborations. Other universities have reportedly expressed interest in engaging proactively.

Paxson underscored that Brown's decision mirrors the perspective of the majority of its faculty, students, and stakeholders, reinforcing the institution's dedication to safeguarding its independence and academic freedom.

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