Brown University has turned down a funding proposal from the Trump administration, citing concerns that the agreement would undermine both academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
This decision adds Brown University to the list of institutions, including MIT, which have expressed reluctance to accept terms that may compromise their independence. In a letter addressed to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Brown's President Christina Paxson stated that while the university agrees with some of the proposal's commitments related to affordability and equal opportunity, it cannot align itself with provisions that might limit its academic governance.
I am concerned that the Compact by its nature and by various provisions would restrict academic freedom and undermine the autonomy of Brown’s governance, critically compromising our ability to fulfill our mission, Paxson conveyed in her communication.
The proposal from the Trump administration aimed to offer favorable access to federal funding in exchange for schools adopting specific commitments, including promoting conservative viewpoints and abolishing institutional structures that discourage such perspectives.
Most universities have remained silent on the matter, while the Trump administration has requested responses from institutions until October 20 and decisions by November 21.
This refusal marks a significant departure from an earlier deal Brown made with the Trump administration, which included a $50 million agreement to restore funding and resolve investigations into discrimination, qualifying it as a cautious approach towards federal partnerships.
Paxson confirmed that the new proposal lacks protections for the university's control over its curriculum, raising alarms among stakeholders concerned about the preservation of educational integrity and freedom.
In a recent post, Trump invited other universities to consider participating in the compact, appealing to those willing to engage in what he described as a push towards a Golden Age of Academic Excellence in Higher Education. While his administration has characterized the compact as a mutually beneficial initiative, many in academia remain wary of its implications.
