Will There Be a Second Compact?

"Over the past few months, Secretary McMahon and I have participated in robust discussions about the compact with university leaders and stakeholders at several roundtables to collaboratively chart a better future together. These agreements and frameworks like the compact serve as stepping-stones for a brighter and more prosperous future for institutions and the students that they serve."

"The reforms that would ensure higher ed is meeting high standards include equal treatment in admissions, promoting universities as a marketplace of ideas and sites of civil discourse, using nondiscriminatory hiring practices, advancing academic rigor, and having predictable pricing models."

The Trump administration released a 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education' in October, which nine universities initially rejected but expressed openness to further engagement. Nicholas Kent, under secretary for higher education, recently announced that the administration has conducted extensive roundtable discussions with university leaders to develop a revised version. The administration has already secured agreements with Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania, framing these as examples of accountability measures. The proposed reforms include equal treatment in admissions, promoting universities as marketplaces of ideas, nondiscriminatory hiring practices, academic rigor advancement, and transparent pricing models. These frameworks are positioned as stepping-stones toward institutional improvement and student success.

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