Brown University has firmly rejected a funding proposal from the Trump administration which required universities to commit to numerous provisions in exchange for access to federal funds. The university's leadership expressed serious concerns that such commitments would undermine its academic freedom and independence.
This decision places Brown alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also withdrew from the proposal recently. MIT leadership claimed the compact could potentially stifle free speech and hinder campus autonomy.
Brown's President Christina Paxson communicated the decision in a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, highlighting that, while some provisions concerning affordability and equal opportunity align with the university's values, others do not.
“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 wrote.
The Trump administration's proposal aimed to establish a renewed partnership between universities and the federal government, emphasizing the promotion of conservative values, as well as changes regarding admissions, women’s sports, and free speech. However, it has led to pushback from significant academic institutions, advocating for the preservation of academic integrity and freedom.
Critics of the proposal have noted the administration's previous efforts that included major stipulations for funding, leading to fears that similar terms would reappear, ultimately compromising academic and institutional freedom.
