White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In theory, if they sign, they need to eliminate tuition for anyone studying the “hard” sciences such as Math, Biology et al.

I think this means anything they deem as a difficult science though last I checked, Math isn’t a science at all.

Guess everyone will double major in Math even if you are just getting Cs.

I don’t follow, why would they eliminate tuition?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am a UT alum and I have a dc there now. The new president is straight out of Ken Paxton's office. I have already seen some questionable and concerning changes in policy and politics since he arrived earlier this year. I assume this is already in the works.

[Anonymous]

I have to admit that there is a evil genius to this maneuver by the administration. By now creating an opt-in, it might be effective at further isolating those that resist. They are adding a carrot to their previous (and ongoing) stick approach. I wonder if less blockable in court as well.

[Anonymous]

The protection of "conservative" speech is concerning that it isn't traditional conservative viewpoints where it comes to policy that is at issue. It is the free expression of over racism and other -ism without reprucussion that is the problem. If there is a professor who is openly hostile to, say, asians, or blacks, and expression that opinion, why should students of those ethnicities feel safe or like they will get a fair shot in that class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Letters on Wednesday were going out to solicit agreement and feedback from Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia, according to an administration official."

Who's going to sign this first? My bet: Vanderbilt.

Will be a race between Vandy and Dartmouth, Dartmouth will let Vandy go first and then sign up with the argument that the conclusion was inevitable, so might as well get on the train.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The protection of "conservative" speech is concerning that it isn't traditional conservative viewpoints where it comes to policy that is at issue. It is the free expression of over racism and other -ism without reprucussion that is the problem. If there is a professor who is openly hostile to, say, asians, or blacks, and expression that opinion, why should students of those ethnicities feel safe or like they will get a fair shot in that class?

It also seems to be a euphemism for religion over reality. Schools aren't going to hire professors who think it's acceptable to tell gay students there's something wrong with them because some friendless losers think their ideology is being tread on.

[Anonymous]

Free link:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/us/politics/trump-college-funding.html?smid=url-share

[Anonymous]

It’s going to get ugly for those schools very fast.

Do not not not talk about race or gender in the college essay.

[Anonymous]

Let's just say that I'm glad I'm not a college president right now.

[Anonymous]

Authoritarianism is here, btw.

[Anonymous]

“Letters on Wednesday were sent to the University of Arizona, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia.
Ms. Mailman, who has orchestrated much of the administration’s higher education strategy, said the compact could ultimately be extended to all colleges and universities.”

Hoping they stand strong and don’t give in. Those who do, will regret it.
Thank goodness my kids aren’t looking at any of these for higher ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Main points:

The memo demands that schools ban the use of race or sex in hiring and admissions;
freeze tuition for five years;
cap international undergrad enrollment at 15%;
require that applicants take the SAT or a similar test;
quell grade inflation.

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-universities-compact-federal-funds-agreement-df158493?mod=hp_lead_pos1

I hope colleges tell him to "F off".

[Anonymous]

I'm glad he is focusing on this garbage while the government is shut down. This is the continuation of his mafia boss fantasies.

All of those who voted for him thinking he wasn't that bad in his first term and would continue that way this time are ignorant idiots and have blood on their hands for the nightmare this country has become.

This is really scary stuff. And I am saying that not totally disagreeing with all of what he is requesting. It is how he is doing it that truly horrifies me.

Can our national nightmare please end? Based on actuarial tables hopefully it will soon...

[Anonymous]

Vanderbilt University,
Dartmouth College,
the University of Pennsylvania,
the University of Southern California,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
the University of Texas at Austin,
the University of Arizona,
Brown University and
the University of Virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In theory, if they sign, they need to eliminate tuition for anyone studying the “hard” sciences such as Math, Biology et al.

I think this means anything they deem as a difficult science though last I checked, Math isn’t a science at all.

Guess everyone will double major in Math even if you are just getting Cs.

I don’t follow, why would they eliminate tuition?

It asks schools to freeze tuition for five years and reduce administrative costs as far as possible. Schools are asked to post earnings after graduation for each academic program and to refund tuition for students who drop out during the first semester. Universities with an endowment of $2 million per undergraduate student are asked to waive tuition for students who pursue “hard science” programs (NY Times listed examples like biology and math).