In his latest bid to assert control over higher education and dismantle academic freedom, President Trump has extended his ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education’ to additional universities across the country. Responding to this development, Justin Mazzola, Deputy Director of Research at Amnesty International USA, said:
“It is gravely concerning that the Trump administration is demanding universities restrict freedom of thought, expression and discourse. This compact threatens to dismantle the foundations of higher education and unravel the social fabric of university life.
“The compact would force universities to restrict transgender students from accessing certain parts of campus, erase non-binary identities and prohibit university commitments to DEI. This is a breach of the rights of LGBTQI+ students, and an infringement on what students can read, discuss, and learn in school. It is a violation of academic freedom.
“As the number of universities rejecting the compact continues to rise, other universities must follow suit. No institution should acquiesce or capitulate. These institutions have a responsibility to uphold the principles of higher education. They must defend their students’ right to an education free of censorship and discrimination.
“If universities cave to political pressures, it will send a chilling message to students – that their rights, needs and interests come second to the ideological demands of the U.S. government. Universities across the country must stand firm in defending their student body. Political coercion has no place in higher education.”
Background
On October 1, nine universities were informed that they could receive special federal funding if they agreed to certain requirements listed in President Trump’s ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.’ These nine universities include: Brown University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.
On October 17, Trump added three additional universities, including Arizona State University, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Kansas.
As of October 20, six universities have rejected the proposed compact. These universities include MIT, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Virginia and Dartmouth College.
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