• MIT rejects White House proposal linking federal funding to adherence to conservative policies.
• President Kornbluth emphasizes that funding should be based on merit, not political agendas.
• Other universities are still deliberating their responses to the administration's proposal.
• California's Governor warns state universities against signing the deal to protect academic freedom.
• The compact includes demands that restrict admissions and limit free speech on campuses.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has become the first university to reject the Trump administration's proposed "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," which sought to link federal funding to significant reforms on campus. In her communication with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, MIT President Sally Kornbluth stated she “cannot support” a proposal that seeks to impose political agendas on educational institutions, citing restrictions on independence and freedom of expression as primary concerns, according to HuffPost, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

The compact, detailed in a memo sent to nine universities including Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Arizona, calls for various reforms such as limiting foreign student enrollment and defining gender according to biological criteria. Kornbluth's letter rejects these provisions, stating that “the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on merit alone,” as highlighted in reports from The Hill, Reuters, and BBC.

Kornbluth emphasized that MIT has already aligned with many values discussed in the compact, such as prioritizing merit in admissions and making education affordable, yet firmly stated that the proposal conflicts with the university’s mission. The ongoing backlash and pressure from students, faculty, and various advocacy groups also reflect a growing concern across higher education institutions regarding federal overreach, as noted by Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.

As MIT leads this rejection, other universities are still reviewing the proposal, with some expressing strong resistance to specific policies, particularly those affecting admissions and campus expression. California Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced strong opposition to any California university that might sign the agreement, stating they would face substantial funding cuts, emphasizing the ongoing battle over academic freedom and federal influence, according to The Hill and BBC.