Nine universities, including Brown University and Dartmouth College, received letters offering federal funding in exchange for changes to admission policies under an education compact proposed by the Trump Administration.
Seven out of the nine universities rejected the plan, known as the Trump Education compact.
If universities agree to implement the proposed policies, the government would provide funding for research, according to the compact.
In the administration’s point of view, universities who sign the compact would be given priority status when researchers apply for future grants, according to Christopher Parker, an associate professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island.
URI hasn’t received a letter to sign the compact, according to Parker. If URI was asked to sign the compact but refused, it would be hard for faculty to obtain federal funding, posing difficulties for researchers as a part of the National Science Foundation grants and other types of federal funding.
Parker said all of the demands in Trump’s compact are vague. The biggest policy of the compact regards removal of any racial consideration in student admissions decisions. The administration demands universities to refuse implementing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
“The proposal raises obviously serious questions about academic freedom, shared governance [and] institutional autonomy,” President Marc Parlange said in a faculty senate meeting on Oct. 16. “We are in regular conversations with our peers across the country, as well as with various national higher education associations.”
The Trump administration hasn’t defined DEI within the letter, according to Parker. It’s possible there could be federal oversight on courses taught on campus and what kind of speech faculty members are allowed to engage in.
“I oppose [the Trump compact because] it doesn’t respect [the] long standing traditions of academic freedom,” Travis Williams, the faculty senate president, said.
The Trump compact might affect students in terms of protest, according to Parker. The administration demanded that universities crack down on pro-Palestine protests. Any university that signed the compact is expected to be vigilant about policing students.
Universities that signed the compact agreed that their faculty and employees should stay away from political action, according to Parker. This includes engaging in free speech and sharing opinions about issues. If members took part, their research or applications for grants could be impacted; as their money could be taken away by the government or applications rejected.
“Any action the federal government might take against institutions who haven’t signed the compact wouldn’t impact students immediately,” Williams said. “It’s pure speculation.”
The faculty senate could express their own opinion about the compact, according to Williams. Any response made will be guided by URI’s values and goals of the academic plan, however, they can’t make the decision – it’s up to Parlange and the Board of Trustees.
“URI’s decisions will always be grounded in our values, academic freedom, integrity, inclusivity and the open exchange of ideas,” Parlange said at the faculty senate meeting. “Whatever shape the federal discussions take, we will stay true to our mission and values.”
