White House Asks Nine Universities to Sign Political Compact
The White House sent letters to nine universities — Arizona, Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Penn, USC, Texas (Austin), UVA and Vanderbilt — asking them to sign a “compact” tying favorable access to federal funding to commitments including a five‑year tuition freeze, a 15% cap on foreign undergraduate enrollment, a 5% cap of students from any single foreign country, and tuition waivers for hard‑science students at institutions with endowments above $2 million per undergraduate. CBS obtained a copy of the letter signed by May Mailman, Secretary Linda McMahon and Vincent Haley; some institutions (the UT System said it welcomed the opportunity) reacted positively, while critics including the American Association of University Professors warned the pact threatens academic independence, and the Wall Street Journal noted some terms align with current practices but others would require substantial policy changes.
📌 Key Facts
- The White House asked nine specific universities to sign an agreement tied to guaranteed funding: University of Arizona; Brown University; Dartmouth College; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); University of Pennsylvania; University of Southern California (USC); University of Texas at Austin; Vanderbilt University; and University of Virginia.
- The proposed compact includes concrete provisions reportedly calling for a 5‑year tuition freeze; a 15% cap on foreign undergraduate enrollment; a 5% cap on foreign students from any single country; and a waiver of tuition for hard‑science students at institutions whose endowment exceeds $2 million per undergraduate.
- CBS News obtained a copy of the letter soliciting the agreement; the letter is signed by May Mailman, Secretary Linda McMahon, and Vincent Haley.
- NPR identified MIT and the University of Texas among the schools contacted and reported initial university reactions, noting the UT System Board of Regents said it 'welcomes the new opportunity.'
- NPR also reported critics' responses, including the American Association of University Professors urging colleges not to sign and framing the letters as a threat to free speech and academic independence.
- The Wall Street Journal examined the proposal and reported that some elements of the compact are consistent with existing university practices while other elements would require substantial changes to current policies.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"A Wall Street Journal editorial praises the goal of reining in campus ideological conformity and using federal funding as leverage, but criticizes the White House’s heavy‑handed 'compact' approach as overbearing and potentially counterproductive."
📰 Sources (4)
- WSJ names the nine specific universities the administration solicited for feedback: University of Arizona; Brown University; Dartmouth College; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; University of Pennsylvania; University of Southern California; University of Texas at Austin; Vanderbilt University; University of Virginia.
- WSJ reports that some elements of the proposed compact are consistent with existing university practices while other elements would require substantial changes to current policies.
- NPR names MIT and the University of Texas among the nine schools contacted and reports on initial university reactions (UT System Board of Regents said it 'welcomes the new opportunity').
- NPR highlights critics' responses, including the American Association of University Professors urging colleges not to sign the agreement, framing the letters as a free‑speech/academic‑independence concern.
- Identifies the nine recipient universities by name (Arizona, Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Penn, USC, Texas, UVA, Vanderbilt).
- Lists concrete compact provisions: 5‑year tuition freeze; 15% cap on foreign undergraduate enrollment; 5% cap of foreign students from any single country; waiver of tuition for hard‑science students where endowment exceeds $2M per undergraduate.
- Names the letter’s signers (May Mailman, Secretary Linda McMahon, Vincent Haley) and confirms CBS News obtained a copy of the letter.