After over two weeks of deliberation, Penn decides to not sign the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”
Photo Credit: Jennifer Mesa
By: Nathan Wang
In a decisive move, the University of Pennsylvania rejected the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education earlier this afternoon.
Penn’s letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, signed by Penn President Larry Jameson, cited “substantive concerns” over the compact’s terms while still offering feedback on its text. In addition, in a message sent to all undergraduates of the University, Jameson reiterated Penn’s commitment to “merit-based achievement and accountability.”
Penn now joins Brown and MIT as the third higher educational institution to turn down the offer of preferential federal funding in exchange for policy changes.
The compact, issued October 1 to nine public and private universities, proposes that participating institutions agree to limits on diversity, admissions criteria, tuition freezes, constraints on international student enrollment, and new governance mandates aimed at promoting the government’s vision for higher education.
Many members of the Penn community rallied against the compact following its issuance. For example, Penn’s Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging administration and trustees to decline the compact on October 15. The resolution described the proposal as “unprecedented and unconstitutional” oversight.
Meanwhile, the Penn Executive Committee for the American Association of American Professors (AAUP) called the compact “a threat” that would endanger the mission of the University. In addition, nearly 2,000 students signed a petition directed to Jameson called “Just Say No to Trump’s Compact for Academic Extortion.”
With President Jameson’s decision rendered earlier today, Penn now awaits a response from the Trump administration regarding current grants and future funding.
Nathan Wang is a Freshman in the College from Los Angeles, California. Nathan is also the News Editor for The Pennsylvania Post. His email is nathanmw@sas.upenn.edu
