White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement

[Anonymous]

Every university right is laying out big bucks for new software and program subscriptions to automate functions using AI, building chatbots to answer student curriculum questions, file academic petitions etc. I don’t see how a major university with a large enrollment can possibly freeze tuition and simultaneously keep up with all the new technology requirements. The latest thing is new textbooks with a personalized GPT to accompany the textbook etc. They are either going to have to fire all the humans or fall seriously behind if they freeze tuition for five years. Think about inflation alone and all the goods and services that will affect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“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.

The game theory earlier this year behind some of the "who is going to sign a letter of support" is pretty instructive. Early signing was perceived as risky because you were bringing attention to oneself for uncertain reward (and even downside if others didn't join). Once some critical threshold was passed, there was a flood of universities that signed on once they assessed the downside risk as limited because the signing (n) was so high. What is very clever here on the administration is the attachment of some ostensibly (and quite superficially) positive things like "quell grade inflation" that give those that sign up some substrate for positioning their acquiescence as a positive. That will drive momentum, pass the critical threshold, and most on this list will have signed up in the end.

I pray MIT resists this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some very good ideas in this agreement.

This is how they work. They put one or two things in each agreement that are good ideas and the rest is fascism or authoritarianism or christian nationalism or jsut straight up bullshit.

ASK THE ADMIN WHY THEY WONT JUST HAVE THEM SIGN TO FREEZE TUITION.

[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.

Why these specific schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every university right is laying out big bucks for new software and program subscriptions to automate functions using AI, building chatbots to answer student curriculum questions, file academic petitions etc. I don’t see how a major university with a large enrollment can possibly freeze tuition and simultaneously keep up with all the new technology requirements. The latest thing is new textbooks with a personalized GPT to accompany the textbook etc. They are either going to have to fire all the humans or fall seriously behind if they freeze tuition for five years. Think about inflation alone and all the goods and services that will affect.

In theory, they will suck up the lion's share of government grants which is what is being offered. That's the quid pro quo.

[Anonymous]

Strict definition of gender? Eff these people. Government should stay out of your life unless it has to do with controlling your very identity and body?

[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

Starting this year?
How are applicants preparing for this change? Taking October SAT?

[Anonymous]

Curious to hear from parents with kids currently at one of these schools? I keep waiting for the topic to appear amongst parents and students, been pretty quiet thus far.

[Anonymous]

Does this mean current seniors have higher chances at elite institutions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious to hear from parents with kids currently at one of these schools? I keep waiting for the topic to appear amongst parents and students, been pretty quiet thus far.

I have kids at two of them and ironically both are math majors. Maybe they'll go for free next year.

J/k. My kids have heard nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does this mean current seniors have higher chances at elite institutions?

It means yet another year of exhausting, unpredictable chaos even if you’re the kind of student the administration is nominally trying to favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why these specific schools?

Because they’re already amenable/blackmailable. The plans are probably already in the works with these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious to hear from parents with kids currently at one of these schools? I keep waiting for the topic to appear amongst parents and students, been pretty quiet thus far.

I posted earlier as a UT parent and alum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does this mean current seniors have higher chances at elite institutions?

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are some very good ideas in this agreement.

This is how they work. They put one or two things in each agreement that are good ideas and the rest is fascism or authoritarianism or christian nationalism or jsut straight up bullshit.

ASK THE ADMIN WHY THEY WONT JUST HAVE THEM SIGN TO FREEZE TUITION.

Exactly. Fox News and the rest of Trump's propaganda machine will only highlight the few slightly more reasonable items. So when one confronts a MAGA acquaintance who only gets their information from these sources, they will look at you like you are crazy for being opposed to it because they only know of the more innocuous part of it. Then when you try to explain the details to them, they will ignore you and shut down because how could anyone ever question the good intentions of St. Trump.

We are living in very scary times. Anyone who believed Trump when he said he knew nothing about Project 2025 is a moron who should not be allowed to vote or operate heavy machinery.