MIT President Sally Kornbluth said Friday that she “cannot support” a White House proposal asking the university and eight others to adopt President Donald Trump’s political priorities in exchange for favorable federal funding.
The higher education compact outlined requirements on admissions, women’s sports, free speech, student discipline, and gender definitions.
BREAKING: MIT President Sally Kornbluth has rejected the Trump admin’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”:
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) October 10, 2025
“The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an… pic.twitter.com/dXHVyk6mjq
Kornbluth criticized provisions limiting free speech and university independence, saying scientific funding should be merit-based.
While MIT aligns with some values, such as merit-based admissions and affordability, she described the compact as unworkable. Schools were invited to respond by Oct. 20 and decide by Nov. 21.
Other universities receiving the proposal include Vanderbilt, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, USC, University of Arizona, Brown, and University of Virginia.
Opposition has grown among students, faculty, higher education groups, and city officials, with some calling it federal interference or extortion.
Even some conservatives, including AEI’s Frederick Hess, described the plan as “ungrounded in law.”
The White House touted the compact as offering “substantial and meaningful federal grants” for compliance.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
