Trump offers funding boost to universities that agree to conservative policies

The Trump administration has proposed cutting federal funding for universities that do not align with its conservative policy goals.

On 1 October, the Trump administration sent a ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education’ to nine leading US universities, offering substantial federal funding in return for the universities’ adoption of conservative policies.

First reported by The Wall Street Journal, demands include: banning race or sex as factors in admissions and hiring, freezing tuition fees for five years, capping the number of international undergraduate students at 15%, and scrapping departments accused of ‘punishing’ conservative ideas on campus.

Institutions approached include the University of Arizona, Brown University, Dartmouth College, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, USC, the University of Texas, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Virginia.

Institutions of higher education are free to develop models and values other than those below, if the institution elects to forego federal benefits

Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education

The compact suggests that such changes could create “a vibrant marketplace of ideas on campus” with “no single ideology dominant”, according to a copy of the document obtained by CNN.

May Mailman, a senior White House advisor, told The Wall Street Journal that universities adopting the compact would be prioritised by the federal government for grants and invitations to White House events and policy discussions.

The compact, signed by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, reads: “Institutions of higher education are free to develop models and values other than those below, if the institution elects to forego federal benefits.”

Reactions to the compact have been sharply divided.

In a statement to the Texas Tribune, Chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents and former Republican Texas State Senator, Kevin Eltife, said that the system is “honoured” that the White House included Texas.

Eltife added that the university is “looking forward to engaging with university officials and reviewing the compact immediately”.

California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom

Gavin Newsom, California Governor

However, critics view it as another campaign by the administration against the freedom of higher education, framed as a response to antisemitism and an alleged suppression of conservative thought.

Cornell William Brooks, Professor of Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School, wrote on X that the Trump administration’s demands are a “weapon to exert command and control”, and that the administration is “reward[ing] colleges for favouring conservative groups”.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the plan, threatening to pull state funding to any California university that agrees to the plan.

Reacting publicly, Newsom said: “California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom.”

Falling domestic and international enrolment, combined with poor investment decisions, means that universities are increasingly reliant on federal grants, making it more likely that universities will comply with the administration’s demands.