Vandy and U Texas didn’t say “no”
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Anonymous
Signing this document is going to be very limiting to any University trying to maintain a reputation for excellence and trying to have wide appeal to strong students. Regardless of your political beliefs, you don't want to attend a university that's compromised by this kind of agreement with either a conservative government or a progressive government. |
Anonymous
| Ironically, many of the Ivies have already settled once with the Administration, yet DCUM is irate with Vanderbilt, who hasn’t even said “yes”? |
Anonymous
Penn, Brown and Dartmouth all rejected the compact. Those were the ivies asked. Also rejected by MIT, USC, UVA, and the University of Arizona. |
Anonymous
Columbia, Brown, and Penn have all previously settled with the Administration - separate from this “compact” - to restore federal funding. |
Anonymous
| Apparently, the Administration sent two different letters to the set of “compact” schools. Some were asked for a yes/no response and others were asked for feedback. Vanderbilt received a request for feedback. Given the political context, Vanderbilt would have committed an unforced error to say “no” to a request for feedback. |
Anonymous
It's not good. I can't remember the specifics of the settlements, but I would definitely take a look before I signed up for a degree program at universities beat on by this administration. |
Anonymous
|
Dear Vanderbilt community,
I’m writing to share an update on Vanderbilt’s ongoing involvement in an important conversation about the future of higher education. As many of you know, a little over two weeks ago, Vanderbilt and other universities were invited to provide input on the administration’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Despite reporting to the contrary, we have not been asked to accept or reject the draft compact. Rather, we have been asked to provide feedback and comments as part of an ongoing dialogue, and that is our intention. Last Friday, Vanderbilt participated in a discussion with members of the administration and other university leaders about shaping a productive process for providing such comments. We expect to share our input with the administration through that process. Our response will be grounded in our long-held principles and values, which were reaffirmed by our Board of Trust in October 2024. One such principle is our commitment to institutional neutrality. Institutional neutrality means that the university’s leadership will refrain from commenting on political matters unless they directly affect our core purpose of providing transformative education and conducting pathbreaking research. Since the compact could directly affect our teaching, research and other operations, our policy of institutional neutrality not only permits comment by the university’s leadership, it encourages it. Therefore, Vanderbilt will continue to share our point of view with the administration, just as we have previously shared our perspective at the local, state and federal level—most recently regarding the tax on university endowments and proposed restrictions on visas for international students. Our North Star has always been that academic freedom, free expression and independence are essential for universities to make their vital and singular contributions to society. We also believe that research awards should be made based on merit alone. This merit-based approach has enabled the scholarly and scientific excellence that has driven American health, security and prosperity for decades. It must be preserved. Over the last two weeks, many of you—students and faculty, family members and alumni—shared your thoughts about the compact. Your input continues to be invaluable, and I am grateful to be part of such an engaged and passionate university community. Vanderbilt believes deeply in the power of constructive dialogue, particularly among people of differing views and perspectives. This is often how the greatest progress is made. We look forward to continuing the conversation—on our campus and with leaders in government and higher education—as we work toward our shared goal of restoring public trust in higher education and ensuring that America’s universities remain the best in the world. Sincerely, Daniel Diermeier Chancellor |
Anonymous
You’ve just revealed that your kid - and maybe you too - acted before they understood the situation. Maybe your student should apply to a less selective school that doesn’t require an understanding of nuance and is ok with bombastic (bootlicking?) assessments. |
Anonymous
Vandy is being targeted. Regardless of which letter they received, they received a letter from this anti-education administration. And being targeted by this administration is a negative for higher education. |
Anonymous
Yes, but what does the general situation facing all universities have to do with a parent proudly proclaiming that their son crossed off Vanderbilt from his application list due to their “appalling Trump bootlicking”? Yes, the Administration is wrong, but in this environment, all institutions need to be careful about how they respond. Beating one’s chest in defiance is not the best response here, especially when the school was asked for feedback, not a yes/no response. |
Anonymous
It stinks for Vanderbilt to be signaled out. It may still be the right place for some students and it definitely may not be the right place for some students. the letter from the Trump administration to Vanderbilt is a negative for many students that want to pursue their higher education. |
Anonymous
Defiance is the right response to fascism. |
Anonymous
Defiance just to defy is not a sophisticated response and may permanently take you out of the game. Every company and country that has successfully dealt with Trump has combined some degree of flattery and “pay to play” to get something good/ less bad for themselves. Why do you think universities will fare any better? |
Anonymous
Talking from both ends. Why would anyone respect that? The schools that came right out and said no deserve respect. |
Anonymous
| The male Vandy students are relieved that the liberals won’t send their kids to Nashville. Vandy’s loss but Oberlin/Wesleyan gain. Not. |