The administration has undertaken efforts to reform higher education, seeking feedback from institutions on a proposed “compact.” Initially, nine prominent universities were invited to provide input; however, six of these institutions—including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Virginia, and Dartmouth College—declined the offer.
Subsequently, federal officials engaged with Arizona State University, the University of Kansas, and Washington University in St. Louis, whose leaders attended a meeting with the administration. These outreach efforts occurred amidst a separate controversy involving the U.S. Naval Academy, where hundreds of library books were removed due to not aligning with the administration’s political agenda.
This book removal reportedly prompted some potential allies, such as Ohio State University President Ted Carter—who previously served as superintendent of the Naval Academy during the first term of the administration—to reconsider their willingness to collaborate, despite his initial openness to parts of the higher education agenda. The rollout of the compact itself has also contributed to unease among some university leaders. Administration officials have affirmed their interest in receiving feedback from campuses.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/white-houses-aggressive-tactics-complicating-education-agenda-10315770/