The University Senate approved a resolution Monday urging administrators to continue rejecting the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
The compact — which would provide special federal funding in exchange for implementing certain policies — was sent to nine U.S. public and private universities Oct. 1. President Donald Trump extended the offer to all colleges to join the compact less than two weeks later.
Some of the policies include limiting international enrollment, freezing tuition for five years and requiring standardized tests for admissions.
Jon Hale, professor in Education, presented the resolution and asked senators to vote in its favor. He said there is a need for a unified coalition between faculty and administrators, mentioning how University Provost John Coleman has already spoken out against the compact.
“(This resolution is) to signal that we are not going to support this contract or further contracts that ask us to take stances antithetical to our values,” Hale said.
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So far, the compact has been rejected by some colleges. Grand Canyon University, New College of Florida and Valley Forge Military College have expressed interest.
The federal government’s compact is the “diametrical opposite” of the Mutual Academic Defense Compact with other universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance that the Senate passed in April, according to Shawn Gilmore, professor in LAS.
The MADC requires members to provide funds and legal counsel to each other if their political or legal rights are infringed upon. 14 out of 18 Big Ten schools have passed MADC, Gilmore said.
Matthew Hurtado, sophomore in LAS, was granted floor privileges to speak about the resolution.
“I urge you all to continue your persistent resilience on any other unjust demands that may be made in the future,” Hurtado said.
