Overview

• President Christina Paxson notified Education Secretary Linda McMahon that Brown will not sign, pointing to a July settlement that affirmed the government cannot dictate curriculum or academic speech.
• The compact seeks sweeping changes including a 15% cap on international undergraduates, bans on considering race or sex in admissions and hiring, biology-based gender definitions, limits on employee political speech, stricter protest rules, and a five-year tuition freeze.
• MIT declined the proposal last week, and no initial signatories have been announced as the administration expands the invitation to all colleges via a Truth Social post.
• Brown warned that the plan contemplates awarding research funding on criteria beyond scientific merit, which it argues would harm the integrity and impact of U.S. research.
• Faculty and student groups, civil liberties organizations and many university leaders are urging rejections, while some state officials and the University of Texas regents chair have voiced interest as institutions face Oct. 20 feedback and Nov. 21 decision deadlines.