In a first, MIT rejects Trump’s funding deal on higher education reform
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has become the first university to reject a federal proposal aimed at reforming higher education. The Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” offered preferential treatment on federal funding in exchange for significant changes on campus. However, MIT declined to sign the compact, signalling a clear stand on institutional autonomy.Nine universities were invited to join the compact, including Brown University, Dartmouth College, and the University of Texas at Austin. While most institutions have yet to respond or are reviewing the proposal, MIT’s rejection is the first public refusal, highlighting growing concerns among academic leaders.MIT’s response emphasises independence and meritMIT President Sally Kornbluth announced the decision in a letter to the campus community and sent a formal response to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, as reported by the Inside Higher Ed. The letter underscored that MIT already meets or exceeds many of the values outlined in the compact, such as focusing on merit, keeping costs low for students, and protecting free expression.“These values and other MIT practices meet or exceed many standards outlined in the document you sent. We freely choose these values because they’re right, and we live by them because they support our mission—work of immense value to the prosperity, competitiveness, health and security of the US,” Kornbluth wrote, as quoted by the Inside Higher Ed.Despite this alignment, the letter stressed MIT’s opposition to several demands within the compact. The university expressed concerns that the agreement would limit freedom of expression and institutional independence. “The premise of the document is inconsistent with MIT’s belief that funding should be based on merit,” Kornbluth added.The compact’s wider implications for US universitiesThe compact is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reshape higher education by linking federal funding to specific reforms. Other universities invited include the University of Arizona, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt University. Texas officials have reportedly shown some enthusiasm for the offer, but most have yet to issue detailed statements.MIT’s decision highlights the tension between federal involvement in university policies and the desire to maintain academic freedom. In her letter, Kornbluth noted, “America’s leadership in science and innovation depends on independent thinking and open competition for excellence.”With MIT’s rejection, the future of the compact remains uncertain, raising questions about how much influence the US government can exert over higher education institutions without provoking resistance. The university’s stance sets a precedent that other institutions may follow or react against in the coming weeks.
